Community Input in Creating Sustainable Communities: Successful use of CIA process can result in a transportation corridor that benefits adjacent communtiies; project support despite impacts; and improved relationships with communitities.
Bicyclist and Pedestrian Safety and Mobility in Europe
Session 31: The Community Impact Assessmemt
1. The Community Impact Assessment
Community Input for Creating
Sustainable Communities
2. Session Hosts
• Laura Dawood
NEPA Group Leader
14 years experience in NEPA, public involvement,
environmental justice issues, and ecology
• Lenor Bromberg, PE, LEED AP
Associate VP – Environmental and Design
15 years experience in transportation design, NEPA,
public involvement
3. Agenda
• The Community Impact Assessment (CIA)
Definition and Overview
• Completed Case Study Example
• Work Session – Group Break Outs
• Idea Sharing
4. Community Impact Assessment
• What is CIA?
• Where did CIA come from?
• Why is CIA important?
• How can CIA help your project?
5. Community Impact Assessment
• A process to identify and evaluate impact of
an action on:
– Community
– Quality of life
• Should be used to help shape project outcomes
• Continual process
• Assessment should include all items of
importance to people in the community
7. Influences of CIA
1964 Title VI of Civil Rights Act
1969 NEPA
1970 Federal-aid Highway Act
1990/1994 FHWA Environmental Policy Statements
1996 CIA: Quick Reference for Transportation
1997 National CIA Design Team
1998 Community Impact Mitigation Case Studies
1998 1st National CIA Workshop
1999 CIA Strategic Plan
8. Influences of CIA
2000 2nd National CIA Workshop
2001 TRB CIA Joint Subcommittee
2002 3rd National CIA Workshop
2003 Regional CIA Workshops
2004 4th National CIA Workshop
2005 Penn. DOT Hosts 1st FHWA CIA Course
2005 5th National CIA Workshop
2005 TRB Forms a CIA Related Subcommittee
2006 6th National CIA Workshop
9. Legal Backing
• Intermodal Surface Transportations Efficiency
Act of 1991
• National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
• Title VI of Civil Rights Act of 1964
• 23 USC 109(h), Federal-Aid Highway Act of
1970
• 23 CFR 771, Environmental Impact and Related
Procedures of 1987
10. Legal Backing
• TA 6640.8A Guidance for Preparing and
Processing Environmental and Section 4(f) Docs
• Executive Order 12898 on Environmental
Justice of 1994
• DOT Order on Environmental Justice 1996
• Farmland Protection Policy Act of 1981/1994
• Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real
Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970
11. Legal Backing
• FHWA Environmental Policies Statements of
1990 and 1994
• Recommendations of the President’s Council on
Sustainable Development
12. CIA Philosophy
Public Outreach
Inclusive Integrated
Collaborative Innovative
Credibility Networking
Proactive Accountability
Partnering Continuous
13. Importance of CIA
• Allows project consequences to be realized
• Affected people receive appropriate attention
• Leads to higher quality of life
• Responsive decision-making and policies
• Project integration with land use, economics
• Ensures environmental justice is achieved
14. Completing CIA
• Define the Action and Study Area
• Develop a Community Profile
• Collect Data
• Analyze Impacts
• Identify Solutions
• Partner with the Public
• Document
15. How Can CIA Help You?
• Community consensus improves communications
• Open dialog leads to sustainable solutions
• Planning tool assists in decision-making
• Creates a sense of community ownership
16. Case Study
• Pearson, GA
• DOT widening of US 441 from 2 lanes to 4
lanes for 35 mile corridor
• Environmental Assessment under NEPA
17. NRHP Eligible
Historic Resources
NRHP Eligible
Historic District
Utility N
Wetlands
Auto Shop Gas Station Sub Shop
B
Wetlands
Rec
Center NRHP Eligible
VACANT LOT Historic District
Mobile Mobile
NRHP Eligible Home Home
Historic District
SUBDIVISION
A
18. Case Study
• Alternatives Considered
– Widening along existing (symmetrical/east/west)
– One Way Pair in town
– Eastern Bypass
– Eastern In town Bypass
– Western Bypass
– Western In town Bypass
19. Case Study
• Situation
– General support for project due to economic
development/anticipated local growth
– In town Bypass preferred by local government
• Reduced Cost
• Reduced Environmental Impacts
• Keep through traffic near existing businesses
20. Case Study
• Identifying Low Income/Minority Community
– Phone calls
– Old Community
– Previously disenfranchised
– Level of Engagement
– Define the Community
• Physical limits
• Data acquisition
• Community Representatives
• Best Interests
21. Case Study
Lessons Learned
• CIA as Iterative Process
• Use Best Available Information
• Talk to People… Visit Project Location
• Keep going
• Do the right thing
22. Breakout Sessions
Activity
• Who are the Stakeholders?
• How do you Identify them?
• How do you reach out to them?
• Identify some potential community issues and
why they are important?
