editor – Page 74 – Environmental Technical Assistance Program Newsletter

Imagine a massive highway project in a highly populated area that calls for the removal of several clusters of homes. Or the closing of a community gathering spot or other popular open space.

Such happenstances often require the overview and input of a state’s environmental justice program. They set policy and require that the road’s builders convene with the community to learn more about the impact that not only the finished project, but its construction, will have on the daily lives of local residents.

“In these cases, you have to initially look at what the state department of transportation is trying to achieve,” explained Rashaud Joseph, civil rights office director for the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities. “Where environmental justice programs come into play are with projects that have to do with the holding of public outreach meetings.”

The key in these circumstances is gaining input from the voices of in community, particularly from those who may seem less involved.

“I try to get across to [the road’s builders] that Alaska DOT&PF has to hold extensive public outreach, so it’s important to let people know where meetings are held and at what time,” he pointed out. “If you’re in a low-income area and have kids to take care of, the DOT in whichever state can’t have the meetings at 10 a.m. and at 4 p.m. on a Tuesday ― in other words, when everyone is at work. That shuts people out.”

Another part of an environmental justice analysis concerns what perhaps unforeseen impact a project has on the community.

“While construction of walkways is required by law, one part of that construction might cut off bus access on a given road that, in turn, requires riders to walk to another stop that’s harder to reach for low-income citizens or those with disabilities,” Joseph said.

That’s part of the reason these programs are tied-in nationally with most environmental departments. “We cross-reference their information,” he added.

Oklahoma is notable for its demographic of Native American citizens. To recognize this diversity, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation implemented procedures throughout the planning, design, and National Environmental Policy Act or NEPA process to ensure “that social impacts to communities and people are recognized early and continually throughout the transportation decision-making process,” said Leslie Novotny, the agency’s environmental project supervisor.

That process at the Oklahoma DOT, she added, includes early identification of minority and low-income populations during reconnaissance studies.

“Projects that affect the community more socially, economically and environmentally, such as a new alignment, will be accessed accordingly; and a plan of action best suited to serve the affected community will be created early on in the planning and design process,” noted Novotny.

That can include mail-out questionnaires, pop-up public involvement booths, and one-on-one meetings with community leaders.

She stressed that projects that may have a lesser impact on the community, such as a road or bridge closure, still require public outreach to ensure the Oklahoma DOT is not adversely affecting vulnerable populations.

The time of year of the projects can even come into play. “These situations are interesting since we only have winter and summer,” Alaska DOT&PF’s Joseph said. “We only have about five months to get our construction projects done, so we always have to see if we have any outlaying issues to examine.” “[The Anchorage] metro area isn’t so big that we have such pronounced issues. We have room out here, so generally, our citizens aren’t opposed to any transportation improvements,” he pointed out.

COVID-19 Spurring more Active Transportation Interest

As the novel coronavirus shuts down most personal interactions across the country, state departments of transportation are witnessing a transportation shift – rush hour is gone, passenger vehicles are gathering dust, and people are walking and biking.

States from Colorado and Indiana to Maine are reporting highway traffic decreases of 40 percent to 50 percent. Walking and biking increases are harder to quantify, but the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy reported that active transportation trail usage was up nearly 200 percent for the week ending March 22 compared to the same time period in 2019.

Even after life gets back to “normal” and highway traffic resumes, active transportation likely will play a larger part in many state DOTs.

“It may inspire us all to think outside the box about transportation policy, planning and investments,” noted Matt Bruning, press secretary for the Ohio Department of Transportation.

It didn’t take a global pandemic for officials in Ohio to recognize that walking and biking aren’t just recreational activities. An Ohio DOT survey released in January showed 78 percent of respondents are interested in or already use a bike to commute or to run errands, while 79 percent said they are interested in or already are walking to school, work and other destinations.

The survey is part of Walk.Bike.Ohio; an in-progress plan to develop statewide active transportation policies. The plan, scheduled to be completed by year’s end, “will drive our priorities, our decisions and our investments,” Bruning said.

While Ohio is now building a walking and biking policy framework, the California Department of Transportation’s Active Transportation Program or ATP has been in place since 2013. Since then, Caltrans has funded more than 800 urban and rural biking and walking projects. In fact, in the upcoming biennial budget cycle, about $440 million has been allocated to the ATP.

While not all state DOTs have California’s fiscal muscle, starting an active transportation program isn’t necessarily about the money, according to Laura Crawford, who coordinates biking projects for DOTs at the Adventure Cycling Association (ACA).

“The big barriers we see to states’ developing a program are usually the political climate and staff resources,” Crawford said. “If this is something a DOT is interested in doing, but they don’t have the staff resources, ACA can fill that role by managing volunteers.”

Crawford’s focus is on the U.S. Bicycle Route System, a series of national corridors for bicycles. She works with AASHTO’s Special Committee on U.S. Route Numbering, which provides consistency in route numbering similar to the interstate system. So far, more than 14,000 miles of routes have been established and signed in 27 states and Washington, D.C. The system’s growth is driven by state DOTs, each of which uses its own criteria to designate safe bicycle routes, Crawford said.

Kevin Mills, Rails-to-Trails’ vice president of policy, noted that the old attitudes of, “Well, we’ll build something for [active transportation] when we’ve got time to do it,” have changed.

“Really, that transformation is already underway and we’re seeing more state DOTs elevating active transportation as a real option,” Mills said. “When you think of the classic objectives DOTs have to meet the mobility needs of its citizens, this is a real bargain.”

E-Bike Rule Proposed for National Parks

To increase recreational use on public lands, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed on April 2 a new set of regulations governing the use of electric bicycles or e-bikes within the National Wild l ife Refuge System – a move that supports two directives issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Secretary’s Order 3366 to increase recreational opportunities on public lands and Secretary’s Order 3376 directing Department of the Interior bureaus to obtain public input on e-bike use.

The proposed rule also closely follows e-bike policy established by Director’s Order 222 in October 2019 that allows refuge managers to consider the use of e-bikes on any refuge roads and trails where traditional bicycle use is allowed, provided it is consistent with a refuge’s statutory purpose and the refuge manager determines it to be a compatible use.

The agency noted in a statement that the proposed rule defines permitted e-bikes as ‘two- or three-wheeled vehicles with fully operable pedals and a small electric motor of one horsepower or less.”

However, neither traditional bicycles nor e-bikes are allowed in designated wilderness areas and may not be appropriate for back-country trails, USFW added – noting that the focus of this guidance is on expanding the traditional bicycling experience to those who enjoy the reduction of effort provided by this new technology.

The USFW added that a majority of states – listed here – have adopted e-bike policies, with most following model legislation that allows for three classes of e-bikes to have access to bicycle trails.

Agreement Reached to Aid Monarch Butterfly Conservation

A “historic agreement” finalized between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the University of Illinois-Chicago on April 8 will encourage transportation and energy firms to voluntarily participate in monarch conservation by providing and maintaining habitat on potentially millions of acres of rights-of-way corridors on both public and private lands.

Both signed an integrated, nationwide Candidate Conservation Agreement (CCA) and Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) for the monarch butterfly on energy and transportation lands throughout the lower 48 states.

The USFW noted in a statement that those are formal yet voluntary agreements between the agency and both public and private landowners to conserve habitats that benefit at-risk species and that it integrated both CCA and CCAA programs so energy and transportation partners and private landowners can provide conservation seamlessly throughout their properties, where there may be a mix of non-federal and federal lands.

A CCAA is for non-federal partners only and provides assurances to participants in the form of an “enhancement of survival permit” that no additional conservation measures will be required of them if the covered species later becomes listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials supported this effort in a two-page letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior on March 12; seeking “expedited approval” of voluntary national CCAAs to further encourage the creation of pollinator habitats in highway rights-of-way – especially the Monarch butterfly.

“AASHTO salutes the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for approving this essential agreement,” said AASHTO’s executive director Jim Tymon. “This decision gives state DOTs the ability to meet their highest priority to provide safe roads for the traveling public while simultaneously safeguarding the health of habitat for essential pollinators like the Monarch Butterfly.”

“The regulatory protections provided by this CCAA allow transportation agencies to continue vegetation management practices with less concern that these actions will lead to an increase in the costs of regulatory compliance if the monarch is listed under the ESA,” the organization said in its letter.

The USFW said that agreement participants will carry out conservation measures to reduce or remove threats to the species and create and maintain habitat annually. And although this agreement specifically focuses on monarch habitat, the conservation measures will also benefit several other species – especially pollinating insects.

“Completing this agreement is a huge boost for the conservation of monarch butterflies and other pollinators on a landscape scale,” noted Aurelia Skipwith, USFW director, in a statement. “This is a great example of how … working proactively with our partners in the energy, transportation and agriculture industries to provide regulatory certainty for industry while addressing the conservation needs of our most at-risk species.”

“By engaging early in voluntary conservation, utilities and departments of transportation can avoid increased costs and operational delays as a result of a potential listing. This provides tremendous value to industry and will also yield big benefits to the monarch butterfly,” added Iris Caldwell, program manager of the University of Illinois-Chicago’s Energy Resources Center, which will administer the agreement.

“Not only is this the largest CCAA in history and completed on one of the fastest timelines thanks to our incredible partners, but it also represents an extraordinary collaboration between industry leaders and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that can serve as a model for addressing challenges to other at-risk species,” Caldwell said.

Environmental News Highlights – April 8, 2020

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FEDERAL REGULATORY AND LEGISLATIVE ACTION

Transportation Investment Touted For Post-Coronavirus Recovery – AASHTO Journal

Pelosi says infrastructure may have to wait past fourth coronavirus bill – CNN

Could coronavirus bring back infrastructure week? – Roll Call

DeFazio pushes for infrastructure plan as next phase of relief – Land Line

DOT Opens Funding Opportunity for University Transportation Centers – Transport Topics

INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE

Transportation in the Treasure Valley: ‘We simply can’t build roads big enough’ – Idaho Press

Transportation planning to the extreme for weather and climate change – TRB News

South Carolina DOT on track to invest $3.2 billion in infrastructure – Transportation Today

With traffic down, is now a good time to fix the potholes? – Atlanta Journal-Constitution

9 NC Resiliency Projects Receive Millions – Coastal Review

ITD responds to 6.5 magnitude earthquake – Idaho Transportation Department

Lawmakers look to infrastructure spending to help economy recover from coronavirus – Washington Post

Trump’s ambitious infrastructure vision faces Senate GOP roadblock – The Hill

How can public transport be more resilient to pandemics? – Metro

We’ll Need To Reopen Our Cities. But Not Without Making Changes First. – City Lab (Commentary)

Abnormally warm Gulf of Mexico could intensify the upcoming tornado and hurricane seasons – The Washington Post

SUSTAINABILITY

Northwestern recognized as a national leader in energy efficiency and sustainability – Northwestern University

ENERGY/GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

NHTSA, EPA Roll Out Final Fuel Economy Rule – AASHTO Journal

Adding Solar At Airports – PV Magazine

Decarbonization Is In – Building Indiana (press release)

Finalized SAFE policy slashes vehicle emission standards – PV Magazine

Oregon Transportation Commission Says I-5 Expansion Doesn’t Need Full Environmental Review – Oregon Public Broadcasting

RESOURCES

Building and Maintaining Air Service Through Incentive Programs – Transportation Research Board; Airport Cooperative Research Program

AIR QUALITY

The stunning impact of COVID-19 social distancing on air pollution – GreenBiz

Air pollution clears in cities globally – new maps – European Public Health Alliance

‘We have great air quality at the moment’: Utah’s inversion season is over – KSL

Solomon Bililign: COVID-19 crisis shows clear need for commitment to improving air quality – News & Record (commentary)

As Many Stay Home, L.A.’s Air Quality Is Better Than It’s Been in Decades – Los Angeles Magazine

WATER QUALITY/WETLANDS

World Water Report and Resilience Coalition Launch on World Water Day – International Institute for Sustainable Development

California rules anger water agencies, environmental groups – Raleigh Observer

Clean Water Advocates Applaud Immediate Statewide Moratorium on Water Shutoffs to Protect Californians – National Resources Defense Council

Public comment extended on Lake Erie water quality plan – WNEM

Fears for water quality after NSW allows coalmining extension under Sydney’s Woronora reservoir. – The Guardian

PROJECT DELIVERY/STREAMLINING

EIR released for Valley Rail Sacramento Extension Project – Mass Transit

Why National Environmental Policy Act Reform Matters for National Parks – The Daily Signal

HISTORIC PRESERVATION/CULTURAL RESOURCES

State Historic Preservation Office seeks comment on updated preservation plan – The Buffalo News

WILDLIFE & ECOSYSTEMS

Restoring San Francisco Bay’s Tidal Wetlands – KNTV

Forests’ hidden wetlands work for wildlife, water quality – Bay Journal

Water quality: Indian River Lagoon, St. Lucie River are gorgeous, but seagrass is wiped out – TCPalm

Bitterroot National Forest partners with ‘citizen science’ group to monitor water quality – Ravalli Republic

Farmers lead in watershed protection – Kenosha News

STATE NEWS

Environmental departments in N.C. face cuts amidst state budget uncertainty – Daily Tar Heel

Should California Throw Out Environmental Rules To Help Businesses During Quarantine? ‘That’s Not Happening,’ Governor’s Office Says. – CapRadio

ANNOUNCEMENTS

TRB Webinar: Sustainable highway construction – TRB News

HEALTH AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT/ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

NDOT launches ‘Walk and Roll Wednesdays’ to encourage healthy family social distancing – CarsonNow

Making Cities More Walkable with Better Data and Technology – Government Technology

Trail Group Asks to Convert Roads to Paths for Safer Social Distancing – GearJunkie

COVID-19 forces mobility firms to dramatically scale back services – Intelligent Transport

Emerging Trends In Mobility With Annie Chang, SAE International – Transportation Radio

Have Bike, Will Travel: The Bicycle Makes A Comeback – Forbes (commentary)

Wounded, Not Dead: Micro-Mobility Struggles in Uncertain Times – Government Technology

New York finally legalizes electric bikes and scooters – The Verge

Cleveland Metroparks Closes Busy Roads to Cars to Allow More Room for Pedestrians and Bicyclists to Practice Social Distancing – Cleveland Scene

National Park Service Getting Around To eBike Regulations – National Parks Traveler

Duluth to increase pedestrian opportunities – WDIO-TV

TxDOT virtual meeting set on Hallsville sidewalks, bicycle path – Longview News-Journal

NDOT Launches “Walk and Roll Wednesdays” – Nevada DOT

OR: E-scooter companies ditch Portland, ridership plummets amid coronavirus pandemic – Mass Transit

Switching Gears: Making Your Bike to Work Campaigns Virtual – Association for Commuter Transportation (webinar announcement)

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SERVICES

Plan B For GPS III Ground System Approved For Everyday Use – C4ISRNET

Google will release maps data ‘mobility reports’ to show people’s movements in coronavirus pandemic – Fortune/Bloomberg

Mapping the spread of COVID-19 by sampling human waste in US sewer systems – WATE

Readers: Share Your Hand-Made Maps of Life Under Quarantine – CityLab

WASTE MANAGEMENT/RECYCLING

Uncharted waters: Waste and recycling companies adapting to the coronavirus economy – Waste Dive

Facing uneasy budget picture due to coronavirus, Carroll County commissioners look to cut costs, raise fees – Carroll County Times

AASHTO Committee Sponsors COVID-19 Panel Series

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Committee on Transportation System Security is sponsoring a series of “virtual panel discussions” to help state department of transportation leaders stay up-to-date on the latest news regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

The panels will feature updates from the Federal Highway Administration, Transportation Security Administration, and Department of Homeland Security regarding the latest transportation implications of the COVID-19 outbreak. State DOT leaders will also get updates from other state and local transportation agencies from across the country, with an opportunity for open discussion.

The panels are also envisioned to serve as a “support group” for state DOTs facing COVID-19 emergency situations. But they are also forums for gathering and learning from the transportation impacts of the current pandemic and how they can be applied to future emergencies, including natural disasters such as hurricanes.

Another discussion thread will deal with how to improve multi-agency partnerships and emergency response efforts – especially in terms of building multi-agency ties before, and not during, emergency efforts. There will also be an emphasis on fine-tuning continuing of operations or COOP plans to help state DOTs maintain transportation systems during disease pandemics, as managing contagion outbreaks requires different protocols compared to COOP plans for wildfires, hurricanes, and the like.

The virtual panel series will be hosted weekly for the month of April. Additionally, a survey of state DOT needs or areas of interest regarding COVID-19 response and recovery will be launched at the April 8 session. Feedback collected will be used to inform subsequent sessions and additional technical assistance in response to the immediate and near-term response needs identified by state and local transportation agencies.

For registration details, please use the links below:

Wednesday, April 8, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern: click here.
Wednesday, April 15, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern: click here.
Wednesday, April 22, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern: click here.

Coalitions Help States Tackle EV Infrastructure Barriers

As transportation-fueled greenhouse gas emission concerns rise across the country, wholesale deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) still faces roadblocks as advocates try to develop an expensive infrastructure to support EVs that most people won’t buy.

Only one-third of U.S. adults said they would buy or lease an all-electric car, with the majority citing the scarcity of public charging stations and the EV’s high purchase price, according to a report from Morning Consult. EV purchases are rising, but they comprise only 2 percent of all light-duty vehicles.

“The barriers to buying EVs and building out EV infrastructure are closely connected,” said Tim Sexton, assistant commissioner, and chief sustainability officer for the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Most EV owners charge at home or at work, which makes it “difficult for private charging companies to be profitable until the EV market share grows,” he added.

According to the U.S Department of Energy (DOE), the country currently has nearly 25,000 public charging stations. DOE’s interactive map tool shows where the stations are, what kind of station (Level 1, Level 2, or DC Fast Charging) is at each location, and can plot an optimal EV route for nearby charging stations. The center also keeps track of how many charging stations are in each state.

However, consumer “range anxiety,” a lack of public awareness of EV purchasing and ownership benefits, plus a complex labyrinth of infrastructure financing have prompted some states to seek a regional approach to electrifying the highways.

To address those issues, three coalitions of states – one on each coast and one in the west – are developing model EV policies, creating consumer awareness campaigns, and building partnerships with businesses, utilities, local governments and public interest groups. It is slow going, but they are starting to show some results.

The Transportation and Climate Initiative is one coalition that includes transportation, environmental and energy officials from states in the Northeastern Association of State Transportation Officials, plus Virginia. One of the group’s goals is to enable drivers “to drive their plug-in cars and trucks from northern New England to D.C. and anywhere in between.” TCI aims to finalize a new multi-state memorandum of understanding in the coming months.

Washington, Oregon, and California are installing hundreds of new EV charging stations in part due to their membership in the West Coast Electric Highway initiative. Those three states are now home to more than 8,800 charging stations – more than a third of all such EV stations in the entire country.

Finally, there is the Regional Electric Vehicle or REV West coalition of eight states – Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming – which aims to enable anyone to “seamlessly drive an electric vehicle across the Signatory States’ major transportation corridors.”

Even small progress on building out an EV infrastructure will encourage people to switch to electric vehicles, Minnesota DOT’s Sexton said. “Public EV chargers are critical for long-distance travel, and it helps normalize EVs,” he explained. “The more chargers people see, the more ‘normal’ the idea of driving an EV becomes.”

Environmental News Highlights – April 1, 2020

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NEPA

NEPA revisions continue with senators’ support – Alaska Journal of Commerce

Federal Court Decision Underscores Need for NEPA Reform – Competitive Enterprise Institute

Participate in the federal Snake River dams public process this week — the stakes are high – Columbia Basin Journal

DOI Is Using Coronavirus as a Smoke Screen – Outside Magazine (Opinion)

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENTAL LINKAGES

Climate Action Planning in a Federal Leadership Vacuum – Resilience.org

Debunking The Myth Of Green Unaffordability – Forbes

How Politics Thwarts Alternative Ways of Getting Around – Governing (Opinion)

What is COMPASS? Inside southwest Idaho’s regional planner – Idaho Press

WATER QUALITY/WETLANDS

US Clean Water Rule Repeal Set to Take Effect – Coastal Review Online (NC)

Senior design team working to expand suburban wetland area – Temple University

Desert park will double as effluent recharge facility – Tuscon.com

State Geologist discusses how contaminants move in groundwater – SWNew4U.com

Affordable, safe drinking water for all Michiganders essential to slow spread of COVID-19: U-M experts – University of Michigan

HISTORIC PRESERVATION/CULTURAL RESOURCES

Historic Preservation Comes To Atlanta Neighborhood – Builder

Toll of damaged historic buildings in Utah earthquake rises to 126. Here’s a map. – Salt Lake Tribune

Owner of historic Zapata ranch refusing to sign right of entry request for border wall survey – Laredo Morning Times

Riverline Project Advancing to Design Stage – Buffalo Rising

WILDLIFE & ECOSYSTEMS

Federal judge rules permits for Dakota Access Pipeline violated law (link to decision)- JURIST

Let’s not give up yet on sustainability, self-reliance, diversity – Greenfield Recorder (opinion)

TRANSPORTATION REAUTHORIZATION

Ex-USDoT bosses urge Congress to reauthorise Fast – ITS International

Guest opinion: We need transportation solutions that move us forward – Idaho Press

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

Climate justice in frontline communities: here’s how to (really) help – The Hill (Opinion)

New York City’s First Senior Advisor for Environmental Justice Wants to Empower Communities – Next City

Whitmer orders that homes’ water service be restored amid COVID-19 pandemic – The Detroit News

An effort to bring ‘environmental justice for all’ goes virtual – Grist

INDIRECT EFFECTS/CUMULATIVE IMPACTS

Fire Fallout: How Ash and Debris Are Choking Australia’s Rivers – Yale Environment 360

E.P.A., Citing Coronavirus, Drastically Relaxes Rules for Polluters – The New York Times

Decreasing air pollution increases agricultural yields – Anthropocene/

INVASIVE SPECIES/VEGETATION MANAGEMENT

Statewide Invasive Species Rule to Take Effect April 18^th – The Times (Noblesville, IN)

Lake Tahoe invasive species inspections halted, effectively closing boat launches – Reno Gazette Journal

AIR QUALITY

Social distancing will impact air quality in Philly, experts say – WPVI

Bay Area air quality sees dramatic improvement in only 24 hours – Curbed.com

Ports and dockworkers seek delay on ship pollution cuts, citing coronavirus – Los Angeles Times

Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission’s traffic signal program improves traffic, air quality – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

How Traffic and Air Quality Are Changing Amid Self-Isolation – KNBC-TV

Coronavirus could be ‘bad news’ for air pollution in long-term, scientist warns – AirQualityNews.com

NOISE

Noise pollution in Arizona – Arizona Public Media

Changes in Flight Paths at Burbank Airport are Causing Distress in Surrounding Communities – KCET

Living Near Train Tracks – The New York Times

The Fight to Curb a Health Scourge in India: Noise Pollution – Undark

INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE

Coronavirus Tanking Economic Growth, Creating Infrastructure Finance Risks – AASHTO

Food and agriculture are critical infrastructure – Daily News

Trees as infrastructure – EIT Climate-KIC

Incorporating the Costs and Benefits of Adaptation Measures in Preparation for Extreme Weather Events and Climate Change—Guidebook – Transportation Research Board; National Cooperative Highway Research

New Orleans, Memphis Win Flood Mitigation Funding Challenge – The Waterways Weekly Journal

HEALTH AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT/ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

Micromobility Becomes Reliable Option For Last Mile Connectivity In World – Urban Transport News

Scooter companies find dockless riding and pandemics don’t mix – Crain’s Chicago Business

In a Global Health Emergency, the Bicycle Shines – City Lab

California Transportation Commission Calls for Applications for Transportation Funding – Streeetsblog CA

Traffic patterns are going to drastically be very different, says Micromobility expert– Cities of the Future

Minneapolis opens roads to pedestrians to practice social distancing – KMSP

Innovative Mobility Carsharing Outlook – Winter 2020 – UC Berkeley Transportation Sustainability Research Center

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SERVICES

Lime Launches Geofencing Safety Information Technology – Intelligent Transport

GIS plays critical role in states’ response to coronavirus pandemic – StateScoop

SUSTAINABILITY

House stimulus includes controversial effort to stem airline pollution – The Hill (Opinion)

A ‘Green Stimulus’ Could Battle Three Crises: Coronavirus, Economic Injustice and Climate Emergency – EcoWatch (Opinion)

Execs: Consumers pushing companies toward sustainability – Cornell Chronicle

Reaching ‘beyond the possible’ in Hawaii to meet sustainability goals – UN News

ENERGY/GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

University study debunks EV emissions ‘myth’ – ITS International

Trump administration close to finalizing fuel efficiency rules rewrite -sources – Reuters

Alaska Legislature passes Energy Efficiency and Air Quality Tax Credit Act – KTVF

This glass could turn skyscrapers into power generators – CNN

WASTE MANAGEMENT/RECYCLING

Nuclear waste disposal: Why the case for deep boreholes is … full of holes – Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

Cities Wonder Whether Recycling Counts as Essential During the Virus – Bloomberg

Transportation secretary says DOH has noticed litter increase during pandemic – MetroNews (WV)

A roundup of headlines curated for state transportation environmental professionals

HOT TOPICS

COVID-19

WATER QUALITY/WETLANDS

INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE and SUSTAINABILITY

AIR QUALITY/GHG/ENERGY

NOISE

FEDERAL ACTIVITY/FUNDING & FINANCE

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

INVASIVE SPECIES/VEGETATION MANAGEMENT

HEALTH AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT/ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

WASTE MANAGEMENT/RECYCLING

COVID-19

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENTAL LINKAGES

INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE

WATER QUALITY/WETLANDS

HISTORIC PRESERVATION/CULTURAL RESOURCES

WILDLIFE & ECOSYSTEMS

NEPA

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

HEALTH AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT/ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

INDIRECT EFFECTS/CUMULATIVE IMPACTS

INVASIVE SPECIES/VEGETATION MANAGEMENT

AIR QUALITY

NOISE

TRB RESOURCES

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SERVICES

SUSTAINABILITY

WASTE MANAGEMENT/RECYCLING

FEDERAL REGULATORY AND LEGISLATIVE ACTION

INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE

SUSTAINABILITY

ENERGY/GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

RESOURCES

AIR QUALITY

WATER QUALITY/WETLANDS

PROJECT DELIVERY/STREAMLINING

HISTORIC PRESERVATION/CULTURAL RESOURCES

WILDLIFE & ECOSYSTEMS

STATE NEWS

ANNOUNCEMENTS

HEALTH AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT/ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SERVICES

WASTE MANAGEMENT/RECYCLING

NEPA

PLANNING & ENVIRONMENTAL LINKAGES

WATER QUALITY/WETLANDS

HISTORIC PRESERVATION/CULTURAL RESOURCES

WILDLIFE & ECOSYSTEMS

TRANSPORTATION REAUTHORIZATION

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

INDIRECT EFFECTS/CUMULATIVE IMPACTS

INVASIVE SPECIES/VEGETATION MANAGEMENT

AIR QUALITY

NOISE

INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE

HEALTH AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT/ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SERVICES

SUSTAINABILITY

ENERGY/GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

WASTE MANAGEMENT/RECYCLING