The Assessments Section is responsible for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation along with noise studies, hazardous waste investigations, and coordination related to local, state, and federal land impacts.
Specialists within the division assess impacts for the social, economic, and environmental impacts area, including:
- Air quality
- Noise quality
- Hazardous materials
- Wetlands and stream impacts
- Water quality, including public drinking supplies
- Farmland
- Land use and land cover
- Terrestrial and aquatic communities
- Endangered Species
- Economic
- Community
- Relocations of homes and businesses
- Environmental Justice
- Recreational areas
- Archeological and historic sites
- Visual
Involved in this process is direct coordination with other divisions of the ARDOT, other state and federal agencies, the public, and other interested parties. Avoidance or minimization of impacts is the desired goal, and if minimization or avoidance of impacts is not possible, mitigation for the impact(s) is developed, if possible.
The information developed and coordinated as part of the NEPA process is made available to the public via meetings and/or hearings, media, web-sites, and correspondence. This public involvement process is coordinated with the Division’s Public Involvement Section.