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DRAFT 2010-2013 STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION IIVIPROVEMENT PROGRAM <br />The highway segment is very sensitive environmentally, and a strategy for the whole seg- <br />ment needs to be approved before work on individual elements can commence. For ex- <br />ample, addressing land use to help resolve inconsistencies with planned transportation fa- <br />cilities; planning for compatible land uses along state highways. <br />Public pressure for a sustainable decision is high. <br />Selection of D-STIP projects requires application of the D-STIP definition approved by the OTC. <br />D-STIP projects generally fall into the following three categories: federal discretionary projects <br />(earmarks), statewide significant projects, and modernization or major bridge replacement pro- <br />jects. <br />Statewide Significant Projects <br />Statewide significant projects are projects that require funding that cannot be achieved within <br />standard STIP allocations but are viewed by the OTC as projects of statewide significance and <br />can be selected by the OTC independent of the ACT process. Identified funds would be used to <br />either keep existing work on very large projects current, or to support development of very large <br />projects (for example, funding a new Environmental Impact Statement or updating an existing <br />EIS). <br />Modernization or Major Bridge Replacement Projects <br />Modernization or major bridge replacement projects are projects that have been approved and <br />funded for development through specific milestones but that cannot be constructed within the <br />four-year timeframe of the STIP and/or within the normal Region STIP allocations. These may <br />include shelf projects, which are high priority projects developed in anticipation of funding but <br />that have no funding identified for construction in the current STIP. Milestones include plan- <br />ning, environmental and project development. <br />D-STIP Project Completion <br />ODOT and the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DECD) shall work with <br />affected cities and counties to obtain land use approvals needed to select a specific alignment. <br />The level of land use consistency required will depend on the environmental milestone being <br />completed. <br />Projects should remain in the D-STIP until work required to meet the National Environmental <br />Policy Act (NEPA) is completed. NEPA classifications: <br />Class 1: Requires draft and final environmental impact statement (EIS). An EIS is re- <br />quired for actions that significantly affect the environment. <br />Class 2: Categorical exclusion (neither an environmental assessment nor an environ- <br />mental impact statement is required). These actions do not individually or cumulative <br />have a significant environmental effect and are excluded from the requirement to prepare <br />an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. <br />Class 3: Requires environmental assessment (EA) or revised environmental assessment. <br />The environmental impact is not clearly established. All actions that are not Class 1 or 2 <br />Page 210 <br />