If contamination is identified prior to construction and provisions are made to handle the contamination according to applicable regulations and/or coordinated with applicable regulatory agencies, the project should not have a significant impact on the environment. However, due to high costs of hazardous material contamination involvement, possible or known concerns may affect the decision-making and alignment selection processes.

ENV reviews EA and EIS documents to evaluate whether sufficient research or disclosure has been provided regarding the potential for encountering hazardous material contamination within the proposed project limits. Any required permits, coordination with regulatory agencies or special considerations for hazardous material contamination must be disclosed. If disclosure does not appear to be sufficient, revisions or clarifications must be made before the documentation can be submitted to FHWA or approved to proceed with the next stages of project development.

If the ISA does not reveal any involvement with hazardous materials, the document is approved and the project can proceed to the next stages of project development. If concerns are revealed, the project can still be approved with the understanding that commitments for the project will be followed throughout the next stages of project development and construction.

Commitments for further investigation, approvals, permits, and coordination regarding hazardous materials should be summarized in approval and clearance letters. Copies of the environmental document and approval/clearance letters should be forwarded to appropriate right-of-way, design, and construction staff.