Environmental Documentation

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When proposing a transportation project with federal funding, environmental studies must be completed within the project's area of potential effect. These studies document the potential effects that a project may have on the natural, social, cultural, and economic environments of an area. Once these studies are completed, the results are incorporated into an environmental document, in this case an environmental assessment (EA).

The major study topics of interest to the public found in an EA include historic and archaeological sites, wetlands and waters of the United States, threatened and endangered species, air quality, existing and predicted noise levels, altered traffic patterns, and relocations of homes and businesses. The EA provides a description of the project, the purpose and need of the project, a detailed analysis of alternatives that have been studied, and all public comments received by Georgia DOT throughout the project development process. The EA also describes mitigation efforts and avoidance alternatives implemented during the concept evaluation process.

A draft EA was approved by FHWA, made available to the public, and presented at a public hearing in December 2006. Based on the overall project analysis, which included public input and comments on the draft EA, a final EA/Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was prepared and submitted to FHWA. On March 7, 2007, FHWA approved the EA/FONSI for this project.