Environmental Quality Assurance Division Environmental Analysis Section

	Environmental Quality Assurance Division Environmental Analysis Section
	The Environmental Analysis (EA) Section is a part of PennDOT's Bureau of Project Delivery. Our objective is to apply and ensure the accurate application of Federal and State laws and regulations associated with the human, natural and physical environment to PennDOT's Transportation Improvement Process. This is accomplished through the development and implementation of policy statements, guidance documents, and quality control of NEPA Documents. The EA section provides technical assistance and training in the areas of human, natural, and physical environment. This is provided to and accomplished by collaboration with other PennDOT Central Office Divisions, PennDOT Engineering Districts, Federal and State Resource Agencies and the general public. See the list below for additional information in the areas of human, natural, and physical environment. For further information, please contact the appropriate EA Section staff member.
	Human Environment - Community Impact Assessment - Cumulative Impacts - Environmental Justice - Land Use Planning - Secondary Impacts
	Natural Environment - Agricultural Lands - Geology - Invasive Plants - Native Plants - Species of Special Concern - Terrestrial Mitigation - Wetlands
	Physical Environment - Air Quality - Highway Traffic Noise - Vibration
	Air Quality Compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) in relation to transportation projects is an issue for which the Environmental Analysis Section is accountable Typically only Ozone, Carbon Monoxide, and Particulate Matter are of concern when analyzing air quality impacts of a new highway or a highway improvement project. The Environmental Analysis section ensures that the requirements mandated under the Clean Air Act are complied with as well as proper NEPA documentation. This includes proper application of EPA’s Mobile Model and Dispersion Models to ensure projects are in conformance with the Clean Air Act. We also ensure that projects come from a Conforming Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), and that the project has not changed significantly from the way it was analyzed in the planning stages. For the latest information on the attainment status of a given county or other Air Quality related information please visit www.dep.state.pa.us and go to the air quality section. Please contact Mark Lombard for additional information. Back to Physical Environment List
	Agricultural Lands The Department of Transportation (PennDOT) provides for effective integration of agricultural resource evaluations into the Department’s transportation project development process established under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). PennDOT’s Agricultural Resource Evaluation Process may be identified as a series of generalized tasks, including internal administrative activities, data collection and impact assessment, avoidance and minimization measures, documentation of findings, and land condemnation. Back to Natural Environment List
	Community Impact Assessment Transportation facilities and services make an important contribution to a community’s quality of life and economy. Proposed improvements to transportation facilities can have a variety of effects, both positive and negative, on people and their surrounding natural, cultural, and human resources. Community Impact Assessment (CIA) is a process used to evaluate the effects of a transportation action on a community and its quality of life. It is the policy of the Department of Transportation to work proactively in collaboration with communities in implementing the principles of Community Impact assessment throughout the transportation project planning, development, and delivery process. Back to Human Environment List
	Highway Traffic Noise Highway Traffic Noise is an increasingly growing concern for land owners along highways. Depending on the type of project, varying levels of analysis can be done to assess the potential for future highway traffic noise impacts on sensitive receptors as a result of the proposed Transportation Improvement Project. Information regarding how Highway Traffic Noise is applied to Transportation Improve Projects is readily available. The FHWA Highway Traffic Noise website provides information on compatible growth and development, Federal rules, policies, and technical advisories; as well as a wide variety of reference material. On the state level, PennDOT has two publications on Highway Traffic Noise, there are: Publication #24 – Project Level Highway Traffic Noise Handbook, and Publication #21 – Making Sound Decisions About Highway Noise Abatement public involvement brochure. Back to Physical Environment List
	Invasive Plants Executive Order #13112 of February 3, 1999, Invasive Species, defines this group as “alien species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. Invasive plant has been defined by the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as a species that has become a weed pest, a plant which grows aggressively, spreads, and displaces other plants. PennDOT is represented on both the Invasive and Noxious Plant Committee and the Interagency Invasive Species Work Group to address invasive species issues.Research is being conducted by the PA State University investigating various combinations of treatments to control invasive species infestations. Back to Natural Environment List
	Native Plants Native seed mixes have been developed for use in various types of terrains along Pennsylvania’s roadsides. These are in an experimental phase to determine the most successful mixes that can be taken statewide. Back to Natural Environment List
	Species of Special Concern Species of Special Concern is an umbrella term that includes all plants and animals classified by state and federal agencies into protection categories such as endangered, threatened, rare, etc. and those species recommended for classification by the PA Biological Survey (PBS). In PA, the species jurisdictional responsibilities are divided among three (3) state resource agencies. The PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has responsibility for native plants, the PA Game Commission covers native birds and mammals and the PA Fish and Boat Commission has responsibility for fish, amphibians, reptiles, and other aquatic organisms. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 5, PA state field office oversees the federally listed species that occur in the Commonwealth. Data to describe these species and associated natural plant communities is stored in the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program information system. Financial support for the majority of species of special concern research and publications originates from the Wild Resource Conservation Fund, one of Pennsylvania’s state income tax check offs.Specific procedures and agreements have been developed between PennDOT and the resource agencies for certain species such as the Bog Turtle and the freshwater mussels.Field studies are being conducted by the Western PA Conservancy and The Nature Conservancy to locate plant species of special concern in PennDOT rights-of-way to avoid maintenance impacts and to enhance the populations. Species of Special Concern are reviewed within all PennDOT project areas through coordination with the state and federal resource agencies. All efforts are taken to avoid impacts to these imperiled plants and animals. Minimization and mitigation procedures follow if a population is impacted by a transportation activity. A Species of Special Concern Handbook has been developed to guide species reviews through the transportation project development process. Back to Natural Environment List
	Terrestrial Mitigation A policy has been developed to provide guidance related to which terrestrial resources merit compensation during the transportation development process. The policy also establishes procedures related to terrestrial mitigation and the authority to approve terrestrial mitigation plans. Back to Natural Environment List
	Wetlands PennDOT works through the environmental processes to avoid and minimize impacts to wetlands. The PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has responsibility for protecting wetlands through PA Code Tiltle 25, Chapter 105, Dam Safety and Waterway Management. PennDOT is represented on DEP’s Wetlands Protection Advisory Committee. We have developed a Wetland Banking Memorandum of Agreement with the state and federal resource and permitting agencies to establish wetlands with increased ecological value and expedite the mitigation process. Back to Natural Environment List
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	Staff Mark Lombard, Danielle Shellenberger, Antonia Zawisa,Bryon Ruhl