The U.S. Department of Transportation is following through President Trump's promises to ease the federal government's permitting and approvals processes for infrastructure projects.
Sam Mintz reports that the U.S. Department of Transportation is publishing two new interim policies on environmental reviews for infrastructure projects.
"The first [pdf] says sub-agencies should limit the text of draft and final environmental impact statements to 150 pages, unless they're 'of an unusual scope or complexity.' It also recommends environmental assessments not be more than 75 pages," according to Mintz.
"The second [pdf] policy gives guidance on implementing President Donald Trump's One Federal Decision executive order, which mandates that major projects have one lead federal agency guiding the environmental review and authorization process," adds Mintz.
The interim policies follow up on a promise made by President Trump during his first State of the Union Address in January 2018. All of the Trump administration's cabinet secretaries signed a pledge in April 2018 to speed up permitting, including Secretary Elaine Chao at the U.S. Department of Transportation.
FULL STORY: DOT gives environmental reviews a page limit
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
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Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
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