INTRODUCTIONTOSECTION 4(f)Presented byIan ChidisterEnvironmental Program ManagerFHWA – Wisconsin DivisionDecember 4, 2013
Overview
1.Background Information
2.General 4(f) Applicability
3.Protected 4(f) Resources
4.Types of 4(f) “Use”
5.Parks, Recreation Areas, and Refuges; other encumbrances
6.4(f) Process and Roles
7.Reference Resources
Background
Applicability
Resources
Use
Parks etc.
Process
Reference
Background
•USDOT agencies have authority to administer 4(f) and makeapprovals; other agencies participate in consultation
•Called “4(f)” because it was originally section 4(f) of theDepartment of Transportation act of 1966
•Codified in 23 USC 138 & 49 USC 303
•Regulations in 23 CFR 774
•Recently updated FHWA policy paper (2012) replaces 2005version
Background
Applicability
Resources
Use
Parks etc.
Process
Reference
General Applicability
1.Does the project require an approval from FHWA (fundingor other)?
2.Is the project a transportation project?
3.Does the project require use of land from a protected 4(f)resource?
4.None of the regulatory applicability rules or exceptionsapplies (23 CFR 774.11 & 13)
Background
Applicability
Resources
Use
Parks etc.
Process
Reference
Protected 4(f) Resources
1.Parks and recreation areas of national, state, or localsignificance that are publicly owned and open to the public
•Resource assumed significant unless official with jurisdiction says it’snot
2.Publicly owned wildlife and waterfowl refuges of national,state, or local significance (may be open to the public)
•Resource assumed significant unless official with jurisdiction says it’snot
3.Historic sites of national, state, or local significance in publicor private ownership regardless of whether they are opento the public
•Significant = eligible or listed on NRHP
Background
Applicability
Resources
Use
Parks etc.
Process
Reference
Wisconsin Examples of Resources
Background
Applicability
Resources
Use
Parks etc.
Process
Reference
Parks & Recreation Areas:
Elver Park, Madison, WI
Wisconsin Examples of Resources
Background
Applicability
Resources
Use
Parks etc.
Process
Reference
Publicly Owned Refuges:
Horicon Marsh NWR, Mayville, WI
Wisconsin Examples of Resources
Background
Applicability
Resources
Use
Parks etc.
Process
Reference
Historic Sites:
Taliesin, Spring Green, WI
Types of 4(f) “Use”
1.Permanent incorporation of land into a transportationfacility
•Most common kind of 4(f) use
2.Temporary Occupancy
•Use vs no use determination based on 5 conditions
•Property adversely affected, but not permanently incorporated
•If a temporary occupancy is determined to be a use, it must bedocumented using one of the 3 kinds of documentation
3.Constructive Use
•No land acquisition – proximity impacts only
•Must result in substantial impairment of activities, features, orattributes
•Requires coordination with FHWA HQ
Background
Applicability
Resources
Use
Parks etc.
Process
Reference
Documenting Use
1.Full 4(f) Evaluation
•Can only be approved if no avoidance alternatives are feasible(engineering) and prudent (6 factors)
•Select alternative with least overall harm (7 factors)
•Incorporate all possible planning to minimize harm
2. De Minimis Finding
•Incorporates measures to minimize harm (avoid, minimize, mitigate,enhance)
•Does not require avoidance alternatives or feasible/prudent analysis
3.Programmatic Evaluation (5 types – see website)
•5 types include: (1) bikeways/walkways, (2) historic bridges, (3) historicsites, (4) parks/rec areas/refuges, and (5) net benefit
•Require avoidance alternatives analysis and all possible planning tominimize harm
Background
Applicability
Resources
Use
Parks etc.
Process
Reference
Parks, Recreation Areas, & Refuges
Defining Factors:
1.Official Designation (Federal, State, Local)
2.Primary Purpose
Demonstrated by a management plan or other documents
3.Significance
Based primarily on the opinion of the official(s) withjurisdiction
4.Public Ownership
Easements can constitute public ownership
5.Open to the Public
Not necessary for refuge properties
Background
Applicability
Resources
Use
Parks etc.
Process
Reference
Other Encumbrances
Examples:
1.Land and Water Conservation Fund Act (Section 6(f))
•36CFR 59.3, National Park Service LWCF Assistance Manual
2.Wildlife Restoration Act (Pittman-Robertson Act)
•50 CFR 80.135, FWS Fed Assistance Program Guidance
3.Sport Fish Restoration Act (Dingell-Johnson Act)
•50 CFR 80.135, FWS Fed Assistance Program Guidance
Rules:
•4(f) may or may not apply to these lands depending on their park,recreation, or refuge purposes
•Compliance with 4(f) does not relieve FHWA and WisDOT ofseparate compliance with the other laws
•Documentation developed for 4(f) compliance may aiddemonstration of compliance with other laws
Background
Applicability
Resources
Use
Parks etc.
Process
Reference
4(f) Process: Agency Roles
FHWA
•Makes final determinations on 4(f) eligibility and impacts
•Coordinates full 4(f) reviews with legal counsel and US Dept of Interior
•Provides final review and approval of 4(f) evaluations
WisDOT
•Identifies potential 4(f) resources and project impacts on resources
•Coordinates with other stakeholders on potential resources and impacts
•Prepares 4(f) documentation for review and approval by FHWA
WDNR
•Assists WisDOT and FHWA in the identification of potential 4(f) resources
•Provides information on resource purpose, activities, and management
•When DNR owns land, acts as the official with jurisdiction for significance,de minimis, and programmatic determinations
Background
Applicability
Resources
Use
Parks etc.
Process
Reference
Project Development Process
Background
Applicability
Resources
Use
Parks etc.
Process
Reference
Planning
•Project Notification
Investigation/ Determination
•Environmental Baseline studies
•NEPA Document/ Approval
•Initial DNR Project Concurrence
Design
•Permitting
•Review and Comment on Design Elements
•Final DNR project concurrence
Construction
•Project Implementation
•Site inspections
Operations and Maintenance
NEPA, 4(f), and 6(f) Process
Background
Applicability
Resources
Use
Parks etc.
Process
Reference
Investigation/ Determination
NEPA Process
4(f) Milestones
6(f) Milestones
1. Baseline Studies
Identification ofResources andImpacts
Identification ofResources andImpacts
2. Draft Environmental
Document (CE, EA, DEIS)
Draft 4(f) Document
3. Public and Agency Review
Public/ AgencyComments on 4(f)
Public/ AgencyComments on 6(f)
4. Final Environmental
Document/ Approval
(CE, FONSI, FEIS/ROD)
Final 4(f) Document
& FHWA Approval
6(f) Acceptability(DNR)
Design
(5.) Final Design, Permitting, &
Mitigation
6(f) Approval
Reference Resources
Background
Applicability
Resources
Use
Parks etc.
Process
Reference
Review
1.What are the general applicability rules for 4(f)?
(1) FHWA approval, (2) Transportation project, (3) Use of land from 4(f)resource, (4) Exceptions
2.What are the 3 types of property that 4(f) protects?
(1) Parks, Rec Areas, (2) Refuges, (3) Historic Sites
3.What are the 3 kinds of use under 4(f)?
(1) Permanent Incorporation, (2) Temporary Occupancy, (3) Constructive
4.What are the 3 ways to document a 4(f) use?
(1) Full, (2) De Minimis, (3) Programmatic
5.What are the 4(f) roles of WisDOT, WDNR, and FHWA?
Resource Identification, Coordination, Documentation, Official WithJurisdiction, Review and Approval