Integrating Freight into NEPA Analysis

5. Affected Environment

Defining the affected environment in a project study area provides the foundation upon which alternatives can be developed, the environmental consequences of alternatives can be evaluated, and measures to avoid, minimize, and/or or mitigate impacts can be developed. The existing condition of the affected environment can be used as a baseline for comparison of any build alternative against the No-Build. Both quantitative and qualitative descriptions are needed. Examples include but are not limited to: identifying the location, size, and quality of wetlands; describing and mapping significant historic properties, and mapping neighborhoods, towns, communities, schools, hospitals, businesses, and parks. Mapping the resources and features that make up the affected environment, should include identification of freight transportation-related activities, features and facilities such as: truck volumes on roadways in the study area, noting highways with high truck volumes, the location of freight distribution centers, manufacturing locations, intermodal facilities (including pipeline/truck depots), marine ports, retail centers, air cargo facilities, border crossings, rail lines and rail yards, as well as other locations requiring freight transportation services. These types of facilities could be incorporated into descriptions of existing social and economic factors for a project study area or stand alone if warranted.

The information on the affected environment is critical to developing alternatives for freight-focused and freight-related projects that limit the nature and extent of environmental impacts while solving the problems. This information also is important to accurately assessing the impacts that freight-focused and freight-related projects have on the environment and determining how to avoid, minimize, and/or mitigate those impacts. Finally, the definition of the affected environment, including freight features and facilities (highways, rail, distribution centers, ports, intermodal yards, etc.), provides critical information for consideration when developing alternatives for any transportation improvement project.

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