Environmental compliance responsibilities vary depending on the scope of the project and the potential social, economic and environmental impacts. TxDOT’s web page details the process for environmental review and approval and contains templates and guidance for preparing environmental review documents and amendments.

The legal requirements for highway projects are different from the requirements for other transportation projects. The legal requirements for highway projects will vary based upon the project’s designation of the official “project sponsor”. The official project sponsor is the entity that accepts responsibility not only for preparing the environmental review document, but also performing related tasks, including preparing the project scope. Requirements for highway projects being developed by a formally designated local government (LG) project sponsor are different from the requirements for a project being developed by a LG that has not been formally designated as a LG project sponsor. LG sponsor highway projects have requirements that differ from TxDOT sponsor highway projects. Other conditions also affect legal requirements.

If the LG is going to perform (by its own forces or by consultants) the environmental phase of a transportation project, it is recommended that the LG has early coordination with the TxDOT district’s environmental coordinator (due to the complexity of environmental regulations and the wide range of potential requirements that may apply to any individual LG project). The district will request assistance from the TxDOT Environmental Affairs Division (ENV), as necessary, to properly identify environmental requirements for a proposed project. The LG and TxDOT will work collaboratively to develop a project scope representing a mutual understanding of applicable requirements, expectations for completed environmental work and a plan and schedule for addressing environmental requirements for the project. An environmental department delegate will be assigned to each project, and be responsible for certain approvals during project activities; the district office is considered the “department delegate” for CEs, and ENV for EAs/EISs. This role is discussed in more detail in .