Linking the National Environmental Policy Act and Planning

A case study of the efforts of a metropolitan planning organization to link the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the planning process is presented. The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) in Texas initiated a series of workshops to begin a dialogue with agencies not typically, involved in long-range planning. CAMPO brought together resource and regulatory agencies, nontraditional stake-holders such as members of the Save Our Springs Alliance, the state department of transportation, and others for a meaningful dialogue that resulted in greater understanding among all parties. The workshops led to a sharing of data that can be used in developing long-range transportation plans. Areas of environmental sensitivity as well as cultural and historic features are now being mapped and used in preparing a long-range transportation plan. The next steps will build on the efforts of the early workshops to continue the exchange of data and information and work cooperatively to link the planning process with the NEPA process. It is anticipated that this early information exchange will result in improved project delivery.