Title: What Influences Length of Time to Complete NEPA Reviews? Examination of Highway Projects in Oregon and Potential for Streamlining
Abstract: This paper describes how the environmental review process required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) has been criticized as a cause of delays and increased costs for highway projects. In response to this issue, the federal government included environmental streamlining requirements in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) passed in 1998. Data show that environmental reviews took considerably longer in the 1990s than in the 1970s when the NEPA was first implemented. However, little research exists that systematically documents or determines the causes of the lengthier processes. Much of the evidence used in debates over streamlining is anecdotal. This paper attempts to answer two questions, using existing national data and an in-depth review of twelve highway projects in Oregon. First, how long does the NEPA review process take? Second, what are the causes of project delay? A review of the Oregon projects found lengthier average timelines, but a median timeframe to complete the NEPA process that was comparable to national data. A limited national survey found that environmental issues were not the most frequently cited reasons for project delays. Similarly, in Oregon, natural environmental issues do not appear to be the major cause of lengthy NEPA processes. Highway projects that require an EIS or EA are generally complex. Therefore, the environmental review process is influenced by many factors, some of which are related to natural environmental concerns and many others are not, though they may arise during the NEPA process.
Publication Year: 2006
Publication Date: 2006-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 1
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