Posts – Page 37 – Environmental Technical Assistance Program Newsletter

Louisiana DOTD Wins Award for Brine Management

Scott Boyle (seen above), assistant administrator of operations for District 2 of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, recently received an award on behalf of his district’s handling of brine disposal.

[Above photo by the Louisiana DOTD. Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng (at left) presents a ‘Certificate of Merit’ to Louisiana DOTD’s Scott Boyle.]

Louisiana DOTD’s District 2 received the 2022 Environmental Leadership Award from the Jefferson Parish Department of Environmental Affairs for its efforts to dispose of excess brine used in winter road clearing operations to minimize the impact on the local water table.

In January, in preparation for an anticipated ice storm in the greater New Orleans area, Louisiana DOTD produced nearly 1,800 gallons of brine to combat ice on the region’s most critical roads and bridges. However, once the weather event was over, a surplus of brine remained.

“In the past, we have tried to store the brine in stationary tanks, but algae growth and the degradation of the solution from heat and sunlight prevented us from re-using the brine for future winter events,” said Boyle in a statement. “Knowing that this material needed to be disposed of responsibly, we contacted the Jefferson Parish Storm Water Management team for guidance.”

Louisiana DOTD then worked with the Jefferson Parish Bridge City Wastewater Treatment Plant – located next to District 2’s headquarters – to dispose of the brine. The mixture was disposed of on a drying bed located on the treatment plant property, filtering out a portion of the salt before introducing the salted water into the plant slowly so it would not shock or upset the wastewater treatment process.

According to Jefferson Parish, these awards recognize those individuals, businesses, or organizations that strive for environmental leadership through programs and actions that improve stormwater quality and/or quantity, thereby reducing the amount of pollution that enters Jefferson Parish waterways.
“It is an honor and a privilege to be recognized for our partnership with Jefferson Parish as [Louisiana] DOTD ensures that we are doing our part to improve our surrounding waterway quality,” Boyle said. “Actions can have significant impacts on the region that we love to live and play in.”

Announcing Center for Environmental Excellence Resilience Webinars

The Center for Environmental Excellence in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration invites you to join in parts two and three of a three-part webinar series on Resilience. The webinars will include speakers from various state DOTs as well as FHWA and AASHTO. Find further description and registration, as well as recording and meeting materials from the first session below:

Reducing the effects of climate change on transportation infrastructure using natural and nature-based solutions (5/9/22)

Recording and meeting materials: https://environment.transportation.org/past-event/resilience-webinar-series-reducing-the-effects-of-climate-change-on-transportation-infrastructure-using-natural-and-nature-based-solutions/

Integration of climate change projections in hydrologic and hydraulic design in transportation projects (5/31/22)

Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Fv4Y68VwTHa9MBe1-lI-gQ

Future climate conditions, including increased precipitation and sea-level rise, are anticipated to impact the structural performance, and therefore, the functionality of our transportation facilities. As such, the integration of climate considerations into the design of transportation facilities is an important step in ensuring that target levels of facility performance are met as climate conditions change. This integration, however, is not yet a standard practice included in hydrologic and hydraulic design. Engineers can benefit from being provided with methods and tools that facilitate the integration of climate considerations, especially of scientific advances that have proven to be effective in engineering decision-making. This webinar will feature selected methods and tools used by transportation agencies in the United States and overseas to account for climate data in the hydrologic and hydraulic design of transportation facilities.

Integrating Natural Hazard Resilience into the Transportation Planning Process (7/6/22) also from 1-2:30 EST

Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_lpclw6-jTOqLHhRhSLBB6w

Climate change and other natural hazards may threaten lives, property, and other assets. Often, natural hazards can be predicted. They tend to occur repeatedly in the same geographical locations because they are related to the weather patterns and physical characteristics of an area. At whatever stage a planning agency is in its planning cycle, there are resilience-related actions that can be taken in order to begin appropriately integrating natural hazard considerations into the transportation planning process. Currently, there has been a resurgence of interest in resilience-based planning activities due to the frequency of natural disasters, the global movement to fight climate change, and even due to the emphasis on planning for resilience in the recent federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This webinar will provide an overview and integrate key examples showing how transportation planning agencies can most appropriately and effectively integrate resilience into the transportation planning process.

Environmental News Highlights – May 11, 2022

FEDERAL ACTION

Former USDOT Secretary Norm Mineta Dies – AASHTO Journal

DOJ and EPA Announce New Enforcement Strategy to Advance Environmental Justice – National Law Review

White House Wants to Ensure Good Stewardship of Infrastructure Funds – Government Executive

Senate committee advances package to fund recreation infrastructure, public lands access – Bicycle Retailer and Industry News

Biden’s new environmental justice chief faces a tough task – Washington Post

COVID-19

CDC Reissues Mask Recommendation On Planes And Public Transportation Across America As Much Of The Northeast Moves Into “High Transmission” Category – Deadline

TSA Reports 50% Rise in COVID-19 Amongst Staffers in the Two Weeks Since the Mask Mandate Was Lifted – Your Own Kanoo

Unruly air passenger rates declined in the U.S. after mask mandates were suspended. – New York Times

NEPA

What is NEPA? – Utah Public Radio

Colorado Moving Forward with Clean Truck Strategy

The administration of Colorado Governor Jared Polis (D) recently finalized its Clean Truck Strategy – initially unveiled in March – after what the governor described as “extensive public input.”

[Above photo by the Colorado DOT]

Developed by the Colorado Energy Office, the Colorado Department of Transportation, and the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, the 27-page Clean Truck Strategy seeks to encourage the adoption of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty trucks statewide, potentially reducing greenhouse gas or GHG emissions from those vehicles by at least 45 percent in Colorado by 2050.

Medium- and heavy-duty vehicles covered by Colorado’s Clean Truck Strategy include tractor-trailers, school buses, snowplows, delivery vans, large pick-up trucks, and many different vehicle types in between.

A separate 147-page study compiled by the Colorado Energy Office found that medium- and heavy-duty vehicles are the second-largest source of GHG emissions in the transportation sector, producing 22 percent of on-road GHG emissions despite making up less than 10 percent of the total Colorado vehicle population.

That study found if Colorado pursues an “accelerated transition” to zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicle models, it could cut GHG emissions by 45 percent to 59 percent, reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 54 percent to 93 percent, and reduce particulate matter emissions by 53 percent to 68 percent below 2005 levels by 2050.

Those three state agencies said they would continue collaborating with stakeholders and initiating implementation on “near-term” actions over the next few months, including:

Those agencies also expect to update the Clean Truck Strategy every two years to respond to “evolving market and lessons” learned from implementing the plan’s near-term requirements. “Colorado has enormous opportunities to reduce pollution and improve quality of life by transitioning from diesel to zero-emission trucks and buses,” explained Will Toor, executive director of the Colorado Energy Office, in a statement. “This strategic plan creates a framework for achieving big things through investment, collaboration, and regulation.”

Caltrans Highlights Key Stormwater Pollutants

As part of its “Let’s Change This to That” public education campaign, the California Department of Transportation is highlighting the top six sources of stormwater pollution across the state as well as ways to prevent them from contaminating California’s waterways.

[Above photo by Caltrans]

The agency manages stormwater runoff and mitigates potential pollution within its 350,000 acres of right of way, which includes more than 15,000 centerline miles of highways. This effort involves picking up roadside litter and clearing out storm drains to preserve roadway safety and drivability during all types of weather conditions.

Unlike water that goes down the sink or toilet in a home, Caltrans said stormwater is untreated and flows directly into lakes, rivers, and other waterways.

The agency noted that as stormwater travels into storm drains, it captures pollutants from highways, streets, sidewalks, and yards that flow into waterways. The top six pollutants have an outsized impact on the water quality of lakes, rivers, streams, and the ocean, and many are preventable through small actions Californians can take:

Trash and litter: Properly secure items in truck beds and put trash and recycling in the correct bin.
Sediments: Prevent soil erosion by using mulch in the garden, planting trees and shrubs, and sweeping driveways instead of hosing them off.
Nutrients: Avoid over-fertilizing lawns and plants and limit vegetation waste by keeping fallen leaves out of storm drains.
Bacteria: Limit pet and Recreational Vehicle or RV waste by picking up after your pet and using appropriate RV dumping stations.
Metals: Regularly check tire pressure, change oil and fluids, and use commercial car washes to prevent metals generated from vehicle, tire, and brake wear from ending up on highways.
Pesticides: Use organic pesticides and properly dispose of unused portions.

“Preventing stormwater pollution requires the help and support of every Californian, and it starts with keeping highways and roadways clean,” noted Steven Keck, acting director at Caltrans, in a statement.

“Californians must work together to take necessary steps to prevent pollution at the source and keep our waterways clean,” he said.

With the intensify drought conditions predicted to increase statewide this year, Caltrans noted it is amplifying water quality as a top priority.

During a drought, the state’s lakes, rivers, and streams have lower water levels, which leads to a higher concentration of pollutants. By preventing a buildup of metals, trash, and other pollutants on highways and roadways in dry conditions, Californians can help keep pollutants from traveling into local waterways during rainstorms.

State DOTs Participate in Earth Day Cleanup Efforts

Around the country, state departments of transportation conducted or participated in a variety of pollution mitigation efforts on April 22 in honor of Earth Day.

[Above photo by KTRB]

Some 30 employees with the Tennessee Department of Transportation helped clean up areas around Chickamauga Lake along the Tennessee River.

The event – sponsored by the agency’s Nobody Trashes Tennessee public education campaign and Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful (KTRB) – deployed a 26-foot workboat to clean up shorelines and coves.

“There is a strong correlation between roadside litter and water quality,” noted Denise Baker, Tennessee DOT’s transportation program supervisor, in a statement. “What starts as litter on land, can make its way into our waterways.”

The agency also promoted a number of environmental-friendly resources on its website as part of its Earth Day campaign.

The Tennessee DOT and KTRB also recently teamed up with other partners to establish a network of 17 “Seabin” automated litter and debris removal devices across the Tennessee River watershed.

In addition, in April 2021, the agency helped fund a pair of new exhibits at the Tennessee Aquarium to illustrate how micro-plastics and other roadside trash can negatively affect the health of the ocean as well as rivers, lakes, and streams.

The new exhibits – housed in the Aquarium’s “River Journey” and supporting the Tennessee DOT’s “Nobody Trashes Tennessee” litter reduction campaign – includes actual debris taken from the banks of the Tennessee River: the focus of its current Seabin deployment project.

Meanwhile, the Ohio Department of Transportation redoubled its litter collection efforts on Earth Day.

“Our research shows that accidental littering from unsecured loads and deliberate tossing of trash from vehicles contribute equally to what ends up along highways,” explained Chris Hughes, Ohio DOT District 1 deputy director, in a statement. “It’s especially visible at entrance ramps as vehicles enter the highway,” he said.

So far this year, Ohio DOT has collected 12,035 bags of litter along highways in the northwestern part of the state alone. Statewide, the agency said it spends approximately $4 million each year picking up about 400,000 bags of trash.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation and the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) held an Earth Day event underscoring the importance of reducing carbon emissions from the transportation sector to improve air quality, improve health, and quality of life for residents.

In December 2021, Governor Ned Lamont (D) signed an executive order directing Connecticut DOT, DEEP, and all other state agencies to take meaningful actions to reduce carbon emissions. He has also proposed legislation (House Bill 5039) that seeks to adopt stronger emissions standards for medium and heavy-duty vehicles, which his administration said accounts for as much as 53 percent of nitrogen oxide emissions, despite being only 6 percent of the on-road vehicle fleet.

“We know that communities of color and other vulnerable communities have been the most impacted by harmful air pollution caused by transportation,” noted Connecticut DOT Commissioner Joseph Giulietti in a statement.

“[We are] committed to investing in sustainable solutions that protect the environment and keep communities healthy,” he added. “We are doing our part to create a cleaner, more equitable, and resilient transportation system.”

Wisconsin Study Supports Use of Liquid Brine

A new report recently released by the Traffic Operations and Safety or “TOPS” Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and funded by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation found the use of liquid brine in winter highway maintenance cleared roadways faster and at a lower cost, while providing for better vehicle traction and reducing salt buildup in local waterways.

[Above photo via the Wisconsin DOT]

“Liquid brine” is a simple mixture of salt and water used to clear winter roads and, for this study, the lab’s researchers looked at data from 143 storms occurring in 10 counties across Wisconsin. It compared brine-cleared routes to those nearby cleared with a traditional granular rock-salt method.

The data showed that brine-treated roads were:

Clear (bare/wet condition) more than two hours faster on average.
More likely to show a higher roadway friction rating.
More efficient with material – reducing salt use on average by 23 percent.

“The data tells a very positive story for winter highway safety in Wisconsin,” said Andrea Bill, associate director of the TOPS Lab, housed in the UW-Madison College of Engineering. “Liquid brine is an effective tool, and along with training, education and technology, our storm fighters are making effective reductions in the amount of chloride on our roads and improving the performance of winter roads.”

[The winter operations podcast put together by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Snow and Ice Pooled Fund Cooperative Program, known as “SICOP,” recently produced an episode on Wisconsin’s brine study. To listen to it, click here.]

“With salt cost continuing to rise, it is imperative we work together to optimize supplies and deliver the most safe and effective service possible for the taxpayer,” noted Wisconsin DOT Secretary Craig Thompson in a statement.

“Liquid brine is a great example of how we strive to implement sustainable and earth-friendly alternatives during winter highway maintenance,” he added. “We applaud county highway departments across the state for using liquid brine to maintain and clear Wisconsin roadways faster.”

[Editor’s note: The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is currently seeking public feedback on ways to improve its winter operations via an online survey. “Winter operations are among our core services and our team takes pride in their mission,” explained said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian in a statement. “Through this survey, the public can help us measure expectations and identify education opportunities.”]

Wisconsin counties use liquid brine in a variety of ways to help “optimize” the use of salt in fighting winter storms:

Wetting roads with liquid brine before storms help prevent the bond of snow and ice to a driving surface.
Using brine to wet granular salt as it is distributed both helps the salt stick to a roadway and activates the chemical reaction that melts snow and ice.
Direct Liquid Applications or DLAs spray a brine solution directly to the roadway during winter events to break the bond between snow and the pavement.

The report found that, by creating a treatment option using less salt, brine can help stretch budgets and – by reducing salt usage – prevent the “bounce off” effect that increase granular salt build up in in lakes and streams.

Alaska DOT&PF Collaborating on Low Emission Ferry Project

Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities and the Southeast Conference plan to collaborate on a low emission ferry research project.

[Above photo by the Alaska DOT&PF]

Alternative fuel powered, low emission, and electric ferries could be a game-changer for Alaska’s Marine Highway System, the agency said, as it starts replacing aging ferry vessels in upcoming years.

Fuel-efficient ferries could increase the range and capacity of the fleet, potentially increasing service to communities and reducing AMHS operating costs, noted Alaska DOT&PF Commissioner Ryan Anderson, in a statement.

“Revitalizing the Alaska Marine Highway System is so important to us,” he said. “Pushing forward to see if alternative fuels, low emissions, or electric ferries, could make our vessels more efficient, could potentially allow us to add service to our coastal communities.”

AMHS operates over more marine miles than any other ferry system in the United States, serving 35 communities with 10 ferries spread out over 3,500 marine miles.

The Southeast Conference will support this research project, which will include a detailed examination of the costs, benefits, and overall technical and financial feasibility of low-emission ferry operations within the AMHS service area.

Funding for the research comes from the new $500 million Electric/Low-Emission Ferry pilot program – established by the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, enacted in November 2021 – that seeks to spur the transition of ferry propulsion systems to low- or zero-emission technologies.

“Southeast Conference was formed in 1958 to work with the State of Alaska toward the formation of the Alaska Marine Highway System,” noted Robert Venables, the group’s executive director.

“The success of AMHS is still our passion and priority, and we are excited to continue our partnership with the State to pursue implementation of both the Reshaping Committee recommendations and the opportunities that have emerged in the new federal funding programs,” he added. “This pilot program is well-timed given Alaska’s need to plan for new vessels to replace the Alaska Marine Highway’s aging fleet.”

ETAP Podcast: Equity in Electric Vehicle Charging

In this episode of the Environmental Technical Assistance Program or ETAP Podcast, Leslie Aguayo and Jeff Allen discuss the need for ensuring “equitable access” to a national electric vehicle EV charging network – especially for those without access to regular charging at home, people who live in apartments, and rideshare drivers who will need to charge each day.

[Above photo by the Maine DOT]

Aguayo serves as climate equity program manager for the Greenlining Institute: An organization founded in 1993 that seeks to build a “just economy” that is “inclusive, cooperative, sustainable, participatory, fair, and healthy.”

Meanwhile, Jeff Allen is the executive director of Forth – a firm that works in partnership with state and local governments, among others, to build “lasting program and policy models” to expand equitable access to electric transportation in the U.S. and elsewhere.

In this ETAP podcast episode, Aguayo and Allen discuss the potential roles state departments of transportation and their environmental practitioners potentially play in the movement to increase equity in EV charging. They also talk about how the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs ACT or IIJA – enacted in November 2021 – can help further equitable EV charging access goals.

To listen to this podcast, click here.

Environmental News Highlights- May 4th, 2022

A roundup of headlines curated for state transportation environmental professionals

FEDERAL ACTION
State DOTs Participate in Earth Day Cleanup Efforts – AASHTO Journal

2022 Environmental Excellence Awards – EPA

US Senate Transportation Leader Touts Biden Emissions Program – Transport Topics|

Will the $6 billion pledge to make transportation more sustainable be enough? Experts weigh in. – ABC News

A top energy regulator is in turmoil over climate rules – Washington Post

GSA outlines vision for sustainable federal building portfolio – Federal News Network

COVID-19
Why Public Transit’s Pandemic Recovery Is Complicated – New York Times

D.C. region’s disability community pushes to keep masks aboard transit – Washington Post

NEPA
In fight against Biden’s conservation plan, opponents bet on NEPA – E&E News

INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY
Report Offers Location Planning for EV Chargers – AASHTO Journal

Environmentalists, 16 states sue USPS over delivery-vehicle plans – Reuters

Experts discuss possible environmental challenges, concerns with tunnels planned for Central Texas – KVUE-TV

Sea Change hydrogen ferry to launch in San Francisco Bay next month – Hydrogen Fuel News

North Dakota utilizes UAS network to assist storm recovery efforts with drones – North Dakota Governor’s Office (Media release)

AIR QUALITY
FAA, FRA Launch “Net-Zero Emission” Efforts – AASHTO Journal

Preventing pollution or creating more greenhouse gases? Missouri debates ‘advanced recycling’ – Missouri Independent

Nearly 9 Million More Americans Impacted by Deadly Particle Pollution – American Lung Association (Media release)

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
Understanding The Link Between Racial Justice And The Fight Against Climate Change – NPR

NATURAL RESOURCES
New Jersey could be opening new front in war for clean water – Grist

How Cities Became Accidental Wildlife Havens – Bloomberg

Floating Wetlands Show Possibility of Inner Harbor Restoration – Baltimore Magazine

Port of Seattle and Seattle Aquarium Collaborate to Restore Kelp Forests in Elliott Bay – Port of Seattle

CULTURAL RESOURCES
The ridiculously simple way to make streets safer for pedestrians – Fast Company

HEALTH AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT/ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION
Forest Service takes the lead in e-bike access – E&E News

Scientists sound alarm bells on noise pollution – Deutsche Welle

Lilly Endowment awards $25M for pedestrian, bicycle trails in Indiana – WISH-TV

New Sedona Shuttle service sees thousands of riders after just 2 weeks – KNAU Radio

City of San Diego apologizes to Rancho Penasquitos residents over controversial bike lanes – KFMB-TV

New I-74 bridge bike/pedestrian path now open – KWQC-TV

Active Transportation Summit panel ponders ways to make micromobility more accessible – Bike Portland

TRB RESOURCES/ANNOUNCEMENTS
TRB Webinar: Collaborating to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions – TRB

Frameworks for Protecting Workers and the Public from Inhalation Hazards – National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Beyond Skin Deep: The humble roadway is about more than asphalt and concrete. – Thinking Transportation (Podcast)

FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES
Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards for Model Years 2024–2026 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks – NHTSA (Final rule)

Notice of Funding Opportunity for America’s Marine Highway Projects – Maritime Administration (Notice)

Draft General Conformity Determination for the California High-Speed Rail System San Francisco to San Jose – FRA (Notice; request for comment)

FEDERAL ACTION

COVID-19

NEPA

INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY

AIR QUALITY

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

NATURAL RESOURCES

CULTURAL RESOURCES

HEALTH AND HUMAN ENVIRONMENT/ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

TRB RESOURCES/ANNOUNCEMENTS

FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICES

COVID-19Why Public Transit’s Pandemic Recovery Is Complicated – New York TimesD.C. region’s disability community pushes to keep masks aboard transit – Washington Post

NEPAIn fight against Biden’s conservation plan, opponents bet on NEPA – E&E News

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICEUnderstanding The Link Between Racial Justice And The Fight Against Climate Change – NPR

CULTURAL RESOURCESThe ridiculously simple way to make streets safer for pedestrians – Fast Company

COVID-19
Why Public Transit’s Pandemic Recovery Is Complicated – New York Times

D.C. region’s disability community pushes to keep masks aboard transit – Washington Post

NEPA
In fight against Biden’s conservation plan, opponents bet on NEPA – E&E News

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
Understanding The Link Between Racial Justice And The Fight Against Climate Change – NPR

CULTURAL RESOURCES
The ridiculously simple way to make streets safer for pedestrians – Fast Company