The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) applied for a NEPA Assignment this week — a federal offering that would give them legal responsibility and decision-making power over their state’s project environmental reviews.
Traditionally, the Federal Highway Administration handles such measures under the National Environmental Policy Act and similar laws. Different levels of environmental review are required by the National Environmental Policy Act so long as a state wishes to utilize federal funds, and that will not change even if ADOT takes on more authority over its projects.
Thus far, Alaska, California, Florida, Ohio, Texas, and Utah are operating under NEPA Assignment. An application, which ADOT has now filed, is the first step toward authorization, but much more remains. ADOT had previously taken on additional responsibilities in the form of categorical exclusions, which grants them more authority in cases without significant environmental impact.