5.4.3 Environmental Reevaluations

The sole purpose of an environmental reevaluation is to determine whether the original environmental decision remains valid. Typically, a reevaluation is required in the following situations:
  • Change in project design such as a change in project limits, ROW requirements, project features, layout or other aspects of the design that was the basis for the environmental clearance;
  • Substantial change in affected environment prior to start of construction;
  • Three-year delay between environmental clearance and start of construction;
  • Three-year suspension in all construction activities on the project;
  • Omission of or new information;
  • Three-year delay between the Draft EIS (DEIS) and Final EIS/Record of Decision (FEIS/ROD);
  • No major steps to advance the project for three years after the FEIS/ROD (or FEIS supplement); or
  • Three-year delay between major steps to advance the project after the FEIS/ROD.
The purpose and need statement for a project may not be changed for a reevaluation. Change to the purpose and need for a project will initiate a new project.
Project reevaluations are not needed if there is no project design or scope change, nor any change in affected environment between environmental decision and project construction withing the timeframes listed above.
  • Coordination:
  •  District environmental staff
  •  ENV staff
  • Available training:
  •  ENV211 – ECOS for Environmental Consultants and Local Government Representatives
  •  ENV216 – Overview of TxDOT’s Environmental Review Process for Engineers, Planners, and Others
  •  Environmental Management System Training Matrix