On April 12, 2023, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued a request for information (RFI) on how environmental review processes can be improved under the IRA. FHWA is seeking feedback from public and private stakeholders on how to reduce project delays through the development of more effective and efficient environmental review processes.
Section 60505 of the the IRA appropriates funding to the FHWA Administrator for the Environmental Review Implementation Program, which supports the facilitation of “effective and efficient reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act and other Federal processes.”
An improved environmental review process could positively affect the efficiency and completion of surface transportation projects, including intercity rail projects funded by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and public transportation projects funded by the Federal Transit Administration. In addition, FHWA is looking into how the funds may be utilized “to develop guidance, technical assistance, templates, training, or other tools to facilitate an efficient and effective environmental review process for surface transportation projects.”
FHWA is also seeking information on:
- the types of assistance that would be most beneficial to recipients of direct funding to facilitate an efficient and effective environmental review process for surface transportation projects;
- what program areas would most benefit from new or continued research; and
- ways in which FHWA can make resources available to eligible entities while promoting equity and maximizing the opportunity to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the environmental review process.
Public and private stakeholders may view the full text of the RFI here. The comment period is open through June 1, 2023.