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Introduction
FTA created the Outstanding Achievement Award for Excellence in Environmental Document Preparation to promote efficient development of useful environmental documents. The award formally recognizes and showcases documents that exemplify best practices for a well-managed environmental documentation process.
What is the purpose?
To recognize environmental documents that are prepared consistent with prevailing requirements and expectations and achieve the objective of paperwork reduction.
Who is eligible?
FTA-funded project sponsors and their consultants. Award submissions can be for environmental impact statements (EIS) or environmental assessments (EA).
What are the selection criteria?
Award submissions are evaluated according to:
Content Are the content requirements of the NEPA implementing regulations and relevant guidance satisfied?
Utility Is the document designed to be truly useful to the public and decision-makers?
Practicality Have procedures to reduce paperwork and delay been effectively employed? (See 40 CFR §1500.4 and §1500.5)
Please refer to Keys to Efficient Development of Useful Environmental Documents [pdf] as a helpful reference.
How can we apply?
FTA Regional offices nominate environmental documents annually. The CEO or general manager of the project sponsor should submit materials to the planning director of the FTA Region in which the sponsor is located for initial screening. The deadline is July 15th.
An eligible submission includes an electronic copy of the environmental document and a cover letter explaining how the document meets the selection criteria.
Who evaluates the documents?
Following initial screening, FTA headquarters evaluates submissions.
When are winners announced?
Winning submissions are made public at APTAs Annual Meeting in October.
What documents exemplify outstanding achievement?
2008
2009
Questions?
Contact FTAEnvironmentalDocs@dot.gov
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