Transportation & Infrastructure Projects

This Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) is intended to be a living document that provides clear and accurate answers to common questions—or misconceptions—about the Act and its effects on transportation or infrastructure projects. The FAQs will be amended as new questions arise or further clarification is needed. For a specific question to which an answer is not provided, contact the local river manager or appropriate river-administering agency.

A Compendium of Frequently Asked Questions
Relating to Transportation & Infrastructure Projects
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In response to requests from river program managers and project proponents, Council members have selected examples of Section 7 determinations for common types of water resources projects. Each is an actual determination made by river-administering agency staff from across the country. In some cases, clarifying user notes are included in individual determinations. No single example is best; however, in reviewing the range of examples provided, the practitioner will gain an understanding of how to apply the procedures outlined in the technical report.

We are bringing these online one at a time. Please check back to see new ones.

Bridge Construction or Replacement
          Big Darby Creek County Road 36 Bridge Replacement (NPS)
          Chattooga River Route 76 Bridge Replacement (USFS)
          Delaware River Pond Eddy Bridge Replacement (NPS)
          Eel River Confusion Hills Bridges (NPS)
          Gennessee River Portageville RR Bridge Replacement (NPS)
          Imnaha River Road Bridge Replacement (USFS)
          Kings River (South Fork) Cedar Grove Bridge Replacement (NPS)           Klamath River Ash Creek Bridge Replacement (BLM)
          North Umpqua River Tioga Bridge Project (BLM)
          Shaker Mills Brook McNerney Road Bridge Replacement (NPS)
          Sturgeon River Bridge Replacement (USFS)
          Trout River Longley Covered Bridge Improvement (NPS)
          Wekiva River Parkway Bridge Replacement (NPS)

Emergency Repairs
          Snake River Double Draw Landslide Highway Repair (USFS)

Maintenance Projects
          Birch Creek Birch Creek Bridge Debris Removal (BLM)
          Fortymile River Fortymile Bridge Pier Maintenance (BLM)
          Fortymile River Mosquito Fork Bridge Maintenance (BLM)

Other Infrastructure Projects
          Allegheny River Boyle Boat Ramp & Dock (USFS)
          Allegheny River Forest School Outfall Pipe (USFS)
          Delta River Wayside Boat Launch (BLM)
          Donner und Blitzen River Grazing Area Fence Installation (BLM)
          Donner und Blitzen River Page Springs Weir Removal (BLM)
          Donner und Blitzen River Riddle Brothers Ranch Well Installation (BLM)
          Fossil Creek Fish Barrier Maintenance (USFS)
          Great Egg Harbor River Boat Dock
          Trinity River Lewiston Valley Water Supply Project (BLM)
          Tuolumne River Hetch Hechy Communication System Upgrade (NPS)

Restoration Projects
          Collawash & Clackamas Rivers Habitat Restoration (USFS)
          Merced River Ahwahnee Comprehensive Rehabilitation Project (NPS)
          Merced River Ferguson Slide Permanent Restoration (USFS)
          Missouri River Emergent Sandbar Habitat Restoration
          Sandy River Lower Sandy River Habitat Restoration (BLM)
          Trinity River Lewiston-Dark Gulch Rehabilitation Project (BLM)

Stabilization Projects
          Big Piney Creek Bank Stabilization (USFS)
          Delta River Falls Creek Stabilization Project (BLM)
          Deschutes River Mills Bioengineering Project (BLM)
          Fortymile River Taylor Highway Repair & Stabilization (BLM)
          Forty Mile River Wade Creek Bank Stabilization (BLM)
          Little Miami River Bank Stabilization (NPS)
          Merced River El Portal Road Reconstruction (NPS)
          Imnaha River Garnett Bank Protection Project (USFS)
          Skagit River Route 20 Permanent Stabilization (USFS)

Nationwide Rivers Inventory (NRI)
www.nps.gov/ncrc/programs/rtca/nri/
The National Park Service has compiled and maintains the NRI, a register of river segments that qualify or potentially qualify as national wild, scenic or recreational river areas.

Federal Highway Administration Environmental Review Toolkit
www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Environmental Review Toolkit is a one-stop resource for up to date information, guidance, best practices and training on transportation and environmental policy. The site provides information on environmental regulation and legislation, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act and the National Historic Preservation Act.

Summary of Environmental Legislation Affecting Transportation
www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/env_sum.cfm
The FHWA provides basic information on general environmental statutes affecting transportation and infrastructure projects.

NEPA and Project Development
www.fhwa.dot.gov/federal-aidessentials/catmod.cfm?category=environm
The FHWA provides an overview of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as applied to transportation and infrastructure projects.

Department of Transportation Act of 1966 Section 4(f) Policy Paper
www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/4f/4fpolicy.pdf
Section 4(f) established a national policy for protecting publicly owned public parks, recreation areas, wildlife/waterfowl refuges, and historic sights of local, state, or national significance, from conversion to transportation uses.

Red Book: Synchronizing Environmental Reviews for Transportation and Other Infrastructure Projects
www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/strmlng/Redbook_2015.pdf
The Red Book discusses the requirements for many regulations and functions as a “how to” for synchronizing NEPA and other regulatory reviews in relation to transportation and infrastructure projects.

Section 404 of the Clean Water Act: Permitting Discharges of Dredge or Fill Material
www.epa.gov/cwa-404/
Section 404  of the Clean Water Act regulates the discharge of dredged or fill material into navigable waters, including wetlands and tributaries, of the United States.

United States Coast Guard (USCG) Bridge Program
www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg551/
The USCG Bridge Program oversees the locations and plans of bridges and causeways constructed across navigable waters of the United States.

Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) Civil Works Mission
www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/
The Civil Works division of the  USACE includes water resource development projects including flood risk management, navigation,recreation, infrastructure and environmental stewardship, and emergency response.

We've tracked down all of the state Department of Transportation web sites for you, as well as many pages that will help you in reviewing proposed transportation projects. Do us a favor in return: Because the web is constantly changing, let us know when you find a link that is no longer working. We'll fix it for the next person.

State & Federal Departments of Transportation
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Transportation and infrastructure projects should incorporate appropriate geotextiles and construction materials to protect river values and water quality. Biodegradable, durable, natural materials, such as coir, jute, sisal and hemp are generally more compatible with natural river processes and ecology, reduce air and water pollution and are more aesthetically pleasing than conventional materials.

We are working on a list of alternative construction specifications that can make projects more compatible with the environment. Until then, research terms like 'natural fiber geotextiles,' 'coir fiber soil wraps,' 'engineered logjams,' 'brush mattress,' 'jute fabric,' or 'hemp matting' for more information.