Section 6005(a) of the Safe Affordable Flexible Efficient Transportation Act (SAFETEA-LU) and updated by the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) established a Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program that allows the Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation to assign, and a State to assume, the USDOT Secretary's responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (42 U.S.C.
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is a federal procedural law that establishes a national environmental policy.
Section 101 of NEPA provides a national policy "to use all practicable means and measures, including financial and technical assistance, in a manner calculated to foster and promote the general welfare, to create and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony, and fulfill the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations of Americans." 42 U.S.C. 4331(a).
This unit has a multidisciplinary staff that provides technical assistance to the department in erosion and sedimentation control, storm water management and other surface water concerns. The Unit is a primary contact for the public regarding concerns with storm water quality impacts of MaineDOT facilities.
The United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and the Maine Turnpike Authority (MTA) set out to streamline the consultation process in 2013, aided by a $250,000 SHRP2 Eco-Logical Implementation Assistance grant from FHWA. The agencies collaborated under the Endangered Species Act through a process that expedites endangered species consultations and aims to meet both wildlife and project goals.
Prior to dismantling, Federal law requires MaineDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to first offer the historic bridge to any group that could legally take possession of the bridge and maintain it at a new location, provided the group assumes all future legal and financial liability. Costs to induce acceptance of the offer of donation may not exceed the cost to dismantle the bridge. FHWA, the Maine State Historic Preservation Officer and MaineDOT will work jointly to determine the most appropriate use of the existing bridges from any proposals received.
The Environmental Office plays a lead role in proactively integrating transportation, environmental and innovation objectives with the department's plans, operations and maintenance activities. The Environmental Office consist of:
Coordinates with Project Development and Maintenance to process environmental reviews, the National Environmental Policy Act, and Federal and State permit approvals.
Historic and cultural reviews in accordance with Section 106, Section 4(f), and Section 6(f).
Each spring, MaineDOT evaluates potential damage to state and state-aid highways and determines whether weight restrictions should be imposed to prevent damage due to freeze/thaw action. Many municipalities undertake similar evaluations and restrictions on local road systems.
Below are links to three useful maps. The Cumulative Thawing Index from the Northeast Regional Climate Center tracks freeze/thaw data throughout the posted roads season. The yellow and maroon bands indicate areas where the ground is beginning to thaw, and where roads may become vulnerable.