IBR and the Environmental Review Process

The IBR program’s Modified Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) is moving forward into the federal environmental review process. But what does that mean, exactly? And how can you get involved?

The federal environmental review process is required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and requires federal agencies to assess and disclose the environmental effects of federal actions prior to making decisions. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) are the federal agencies who oversee NEPA for the IBR program. These agencies approved an LPA for the Columbia River Crossing project in 2011. The IBR program is seeking to update past work and modify the previously approved alternative to address changes that have occurred in the past decade. In order to do so, the IBR program must study and disclose how these changes will impact the environment. The term “environment” is not limited to the natural environment, and includes topics such as transportation access, neighborhood impacts, and public health.

By mid-2023, the IBR program plans to publish a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement. This document will summarize environmental review findings and proposed mitigations for adverse impacts. The community will have an opportunity to review the Supplemental Draft EIS and provide feedback. Design refinements will occur based on findings and public input, resulting in a combined Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement and Amended Record of Decision issued by the FHWA and FTA. At this stage, the Modified LPA will be designed to an approximately 30% level, which will allow the IBR program to apply for permits and further update cost estimates as design reaches final stages.?

Learn more at our?Environmental Compliance?page.