Integrating Environmental Justice Into DOT Programs

1
Integrating Environmental Justice Into DOT
Programs

• Gloria Shepherd
• Director, Office of Human Environment
• Federal Highway Administration
• U.S. Department of Transportation

2
U.S. DOT Policy on Environmental Justice

• Longstanding Policy to
• Ensure nondiscrimination in Federally funded
  activities
• Continuing Policy to
• Identify and prevent high and adverse human
  health and environmental impacts
• Ensure nondiscrimination in receipt of benefits
• Meaningful public involvement

3
Integrating Title VI and EJ into Planning and NEPA

• Ensure low-income and minority communities
  issues have been identified and addressed in
  transportation activities
• Ensure opportunities for meaningful public
  involvement
• Provide examples and tools for integration

4
Upcoming Planning and NEPA Activities

• Planning Assistance
• NEPA Guidance
• Other EJ Products

5
Planning Assistance

• Provides assistance with implementing the October
  7, 1999 memorandum for Title VI requirements in
  planning
• Presents a Q and A format accompanied with
  examples and tools
• Highlights the Qs and As for a RTP, TIP, UPWP
  and Certification

6
NEPA Guidance

• Provides a framework for integrating Title VI and
  EJ into each step of the NEPA process by
• Identifying key issues
• Suggesting appropriate public involvement
  techniques
• Providing specific examples of data needs

7
Summary

• DOT is committed to fully integrating EJ into its
  programs-Planning and Project Development
• DOT wants to have partnerships with both
  transportation community and community-based
  organizations.