Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities
FHWA Environmental Guide Book
The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations (40 CFR §§ 1500-1508) addresses the basic decisionmaking framework and action forcing provisions established in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The principles or essential elements of NEPA decisionmaking include:
• Assessment of the social, economic, and environmental impacts of a proposed action or project.
• Analysis of a range of reasonable alternatives to the proposed project, based on the applicants defined purpose and need for the project.
• Consideration of appropriate impact mitigation: avoidance, minimization and compensation.
• Interagency participation: coordination and consultation.
• Public involvement including opportunities to participate and comment.
• Documentation and disclosure.
NEPA and the Knik Arm Crossing
The NEPA process began in January 2004 with interagency/interdisciplinary team and public scoping. Comments were used to target studies to answer the environmental questions and concerns. A draft EIS was circulated in 2006, and public hearings were conducted. Following the addressing of public comments, including Sec 106 of the Historic Preservation Act, a Final EIS was signed December 20, 2007. A Record of Decision is pending consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service on the beluga whale, an Endangered Species.See Activities. Frequently Asked Questions with their answers have been prepared in response to public inquiries.