Environmental Planning

ADOT and FHWA renew environmental review agreement

ADOT and FHWA renew environmental review agreement

ADOT and FHWA renew environmental review agreement

December 20, 2023

Involves projects without significant environmental impacts

PHOENIX – The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Arizona Department of Transportation have renewed an agreement through which ADOT assumes FHWA’s authority for environmental reviews and determinations for certain types of projects.

Final approval of this Memorandum of Understanding, which follows a public comment period that began in October, continues an agreement known as Responsibility for Categorical Exclusions. Congress established the program to help streamline environmental reviews for federal-aid highway projects.

The agreement, established in 2018 and renewed in 2021, involves federal-aid projects found to have no significant environmental impacts. It allows ADOT to determine, as defined under the National Environmental Policy Act, whether a project is categorically excluded from preparation of a more extensive environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement based on anticipated environmental impacts. Arizona is among eight states, including California and Utah, that currently have this authority.

States must still comply with all requirements of the National Environmental Protection Act of 1969 (NEPA) and other federal environmental laws, regulations, executive orders and policies on all federal-aid highway projects their transportation departments administer.

Please visit azdot.gov/CE-Assignment to learn more about this agreement and review the final Memorandum of Understanding.

Public invited to comment on renewing ADOT-FHWA environmental review agreement

Public invited to comment on renewing ADOT-FHWA environmental review agreement

Public invited to comment on renewing ADOT-FHWA environmental review agreement

September 28, 2023

Input welcome through Oct. 30 on draft Memorandum of Understanding

PHOENIX – The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Arizona Department of Transportation are proposing to renew an agreement through which ADOT assumes FHWA’s authority for environmental reviews and determinations for certain types of projects.

A draft Memorandum of Understanding that would continue this agreement, known as Categorical Exclusion assignment, has been posted to the Federal Register and is available for comment until Oct. 30.

The agreement, established in 2018 and renewed in 2021, involves federal-aid projects found to have no significant environmental impacts. It allows ADOT to determine whether a project is categorically excluded from preparation of a more extensive environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement based on anticipated environmental impacts. Arizona is among eight states, including California and Utah, that currently have this authority.

Congress established the program to help streamline environmental reviews for federal-aid highway projects. States must still comply with all requirements of the National Environmental Protection Act of 1969 (NEPA) and other federal environmental laws, regulations, executive orders and policies on all federal-aid highway projects their transportation departments administer.

You can learn more about Categorical Exclusion assignment, review the draft Memorandum of Understanding, and find out how to submit comments to FHWA at azdot.gov/CE-Assignment.

Hedgehog cactuses protected near Pinto Creek Bridge

Hedgehog cactuses protected near Pinto Creek Bridge

Hedgehog cactuses protected near Pinto Creek Bridge

By Doug Nick / ADOT Communications

August 30, 2021

Behold the hedgehog cactus - even after a devastating fire.

A native to these parts, the plucky (and prickly) little plant is a hardy specimen.

While it may not have the high profile of the majestic saguaro or the old west mythology of the barrel cactus full of water (it’s not), the hedgehog is still an icon of our Sonoran Desert.

A few months ago we told you how this species of cactus is found in very few places, and one of them happens to be where ADOT is building a new bridge on US 60 over Pinto Creek near Globe-Miami.

If you recall (or just came back here after clicking on that link), ADOT partnered with the Desert Botanical Garden to safely remove as many of the cactuses as possible before the bridge project began in 2018. A bunch of these fellers are happily growing in safety under the care of the professionals at the botanical gardens. Thankfully!

That’s because in June, the project area was hit by the devastating Telegraph Fire that literally burned all the way up to the project site. Sadly, some hedgehog cactus that were not in danger of being harmed by construction were taken in the fire.

There’s no sugarcoating the fact that the fire did tremendous damage to the entire ecosystem in that area. But if there is a tiny silver lining, it’s that the rescued cactuses that remain at the Desert Botanical Garden for the time being will be the key to ensuring the continued existence of this endangered species. The garden will likely keep some on their premises, but most will eventually be returned to their native habitat when it’s safe to do so.

ADOT and the Desert Botanical Garden had always planned to do the right thing for the beautiful hedgehog cactus. Until this summer, there was no way anyone knew just how important that right thing would be.

Visit the ADOT Environmental Planning webpage for more information.

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