TERC Interests

2006 Topic and Interest Questionnaire Responses

Topics/Area of Interest

Projects and Processes:

Conducting NEPA and Section 7 Consultation without knowing when project construction will begin. (USFWS)
Mitigation Banking (USACE) - including what other agencies are doing
How to effectively merge Section 106 and NEPA (RTD)
Section 6002 of SAFETEA-LU, Lessons learned (RTD)
Cumulative Impact Assessments - How to make them meaningful (RTD)
Bio-Engineering Techniques (USACE)
Emergency Actions and What Constitutes them (USACE)
Resource agencies discussing best practices with the group (RTD)
New Ozone Standard (CDPHE)

Climate and Air Quality:

Climate Impacts and Transportation (CDPHE)
CDPHE presentation on air quality conditions and trends (MSATS, NOx, ozone, visibility) (USEPA)
FHWA MSAT Interim Guidance
Siting highways with respect to ambient levels of MSATs
Sustainable project construction techniques

VMT reduction and Energy Conservation:

Partnerships to promote efficient vehicles and renewable energy (CDPHE)
Mass Transit Opportunities in the State (CDPHE)
Reducing VMT - What strategies can be pursued by the group? (USEPA)
Reducing VMT - Is this something that CDOT should be considering in addition to VMT (USEPA)
EPA region s Green highway Initiative (USEPA)

Other suggestions for adding value:

Tie discussions to Governor Ritter's Colorado Promise (CDPHE)
Discuss proposed legislation that might impact transportation (CDPHE)
All information is appreciated if it enhances communication and understanding of missions/abilities/liabilities. (USACE)

Programmatic agreements or other streamlining initiatives:

Lynx crossings (USFWS)
7(a)(1) programmatic (USFWS)
Categorical Exclusions (USACE)
Clarify Exemptions (USACE)
CDOT agreement to ensure State Waters are protected during construction and maintenance (CDPHE)
CDOT commitment to greening pursuant to Greening Govt EO (CDPHE)
RTD/FTA & CDOT/FHWA agreement for reviewing environmental documents (RTD)

Additional thoughts:

Majority would like to start discussing individual projects if controversial, if a project would exemplify programmatic compliance, or if a project is precedent-setting.
TERC involvement would be most beneficial during planning, or as appropriate.
Most respondents preferred looking at multiple projects.
One responder asked whether it was too late to discuss I 70 Mountain Corridor.
One responder noted that it would be difficult to manage and determine the appropriate response to comments from a group of this nature.

Host agency presentation requests:

FTA - More on programs and day to day activities.

FHWA - Central Federal Lands Highway Division

Successful Approaches: