Secondary & Cumulative Effects Analysis Training Program Maryland State Highway Administration’s...

Secondary & Cumulative Effects Analysis Training

Program

Maryland State HighwayAdministration’s

Secondary and CumulativeEffects Analysis

Guidelines

For Environmental Impact Statements and Environmental Assessments

Rev. 07/21/99

SCEA Introduction


Program

MODULES

• (Module 1) How to determine which resources should be considered in a SCEA

• (Module 2) How to establish the SCEA geographical boundary

• (Module 3) How to determine SCEA time frames

• (Module 4) How to develop SCEA land use information

• (Module 5) How to prepare the analysis & reach SCEA Conclusions

• (Module 6) Presentation of SCEA in the environmental documentation

MODULES

• (Module 1) How to determine which resources should be considered in a SCEA

• (Module 2) How to establish the SCEA geographical boundary

• (Module 3) How to determine SCEA time frames

• (Module 4) How to develop SCEA land use information

• (Module 5) How to prepare the analysis & reach SCEA Conclusions

• (Module 6) Presentation of SCEA in the environmental documentation

SCEA Introduction


Program

Provide SHA employees, federal and state resource agencies, local governments and consultants:

• Consistent procedures in conducting a secondary and cumulative effects analysis.

• A clear definition of direct impacts, secondary impacts and cumulative effects.

• A clear understanding of how SCEA applies to project development.

• Knowledge to facilitate the review of SCEA documentation.

Provide SHA employees, federal and state resource agencies, local governments and consultants:

• Consistent procedures in conducting a secondary and cumulative effects analysis.

• A clear definition of direct impacts, secondary impacts and cumulative effects.

• A clear understanding of how SCEA applies to project development.

• Knowledge to facilitate the review of SCEA documentation.

Training GoalsTraining Goals

SCEA Introduction


Program

SHA Case Studies - Project LocationsSHA Case Studies - Project Locations

SCEA Introduction


Program

• NEPA and CEQ regulations

• “Secondary” versus “cumulative” effects

• SHA’s SCEA Guidelines

• SCEA and the SHA Project Planning Process

• Levels of Environmental Documentation

• NEPA and CEQ regulations

• “Secondary” versus “cumulative” effects

• SHA’s SCEA Guidelines

• SCEA and the SHA Project Planning Process


SCEA BackgroundSCEA Background

SCEA Introduction


Program

Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations require that the secondary and cumulative effects of a project be examined along with direct impacts (40 CFR 1508.25 (c)).

Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations require that the secondary and cumulative effects of a project be examined along with direct impacts (40 CFR 1508.25 (c)).

NEPA and CEQ RegulationsNEPA and CEQ Regulations

SCEA Introduction


Program

“Secondary” Effects - Effects which are caused by the action and are later in time or farther removed in distance, but are still reasonably foreseeable. Secondary effects may include growth inducing effects and other effects related to induced changes in the patterns of land use, population density or growth rate, and related effects on air and water and other natural systems, including ecosystems (40 CFR 1508.8(b)).

Secondary effects are a subset of cumulative effects. An example of secondary effects is:

• Commercial and residential development following construction of a highway or the addition of new access points to a highway.

“Secondary” Effects - Effects which are caused by the action and are later in time or farther removed in distance, but are still reasonably foreseeable. Secondary effects may include growth inducing effects and other effects related to induced changes in the patterns of land use, population density or growth rate, and related effects on air and water and other natural systems, including ecosystems (40 CFR 1508.8(b)).

Secondary effects are a subset of cumulative effects. An example of secondary effects is:

• Commercial and residential development following construction of a highway or the addition of new access points to a highway.

SCEA Introduction

“Secondary” versus “Cumulative” Effects“Secondary” versus “Cumulative” Effects


Program

Per SHA's SCEA Guidelines, secondary effects may occur:

• When local governments or developers identify planned development that will not proceed without a specific project or transportation alternative.

• Zoning or land use changes that may occur (based upon professional judgement) as a result of each project alternative retained for detailed study.

Per SHA's SCEA Guidelines, secondary effects may occur:

• When local governments or developers identify planned development that will not proceed without a specific project or transportation alternative.

• Zoning or land use changes that may occur (based upon professional judgement) as a result of each project alternative retained for detailed study.

SCEA Introduction

“Secondary” versus “Cumulative” Effects - continued“Secondary” versus “Cumulative” Effects - continued


Program

“Cumulative” Effects - The impact on the environment which results from the action when added to other past, present and reasonably foreseeable future actions regardless of what agency (federal,or non-federal) or person undertakes such actions (40 CFR 1508.7, 1997). Some examples of cumulative effects include:

• Incremental loss of wetlands under the Nationwide permit program.

• Forest fragmentation related to roadway right-of-way construction and other development over time.

• Population declines in nesting birds from multiple tree harvests over time.

• Increase in stormwater peak flows and pollutant loadings from commercial and residential development.

• Decrease in active farmlands due to development pressures.

“Cumulative” Effects - The impact on the environment which results from the action when added to other past, present and reasonably foreseeable future actions regardless of what agency (federal,or non-federal) or person undertakes such actions (40 CFR 1508.7, 1997). Some examples of cumulative effects include:

• Incremental loss of wetlands under the Nationwide permit program.

• Forest fragmentation related to roadway right-of-way construction and other development over time.

• Population declines in nesting birds from multiple tree harvests over time.

• Increase in stormwater peak flows and pollutant loadings from commercial and residential development.

• Decrease in active farmlands due to development pressures.

SCEA Introduction

“Secondary” versus “Cumulative” Effects - continued“Secondary” versus “Cumulative” Effects - continued


Program

• Federal agencies have routinely addressed direct, and, to a lesser extent, secondary effects of their proposed actions on the environment.

- Analyzing cumulative effects was more challenging because of the difficulty of defining geographic

and time boundaries.

- As a result, very little attention has been given to cumulative effects until recently.

• The availability of data, particularly agency - published resource reports/ inventories, coupled with the

development of GIS technology, have contributed to the increase in feasibility of incorporating secondary/cumulative effects analysis in the NEPA process.

• Federal agencies have routinely addressed direct, and, to a lesser extent, secondary effects of their proposed actions on the environment.

- Analyzing cumulative effects was more challenging because of the difficulty of defining geographic

and time boundaries.

- As a result, very little attention has been given to cumulative effects until recently.

• The availability of data, particularly agency - published resource reports/ inventories, coupled with the

development of GIS technology, have contributed to the increase in feasibility of incorporating secondary/cumulative effects analysis in the NEPA process.

NEPA and CEQ Regulations - continuedNEPA and CEQ Regulations - continued

SCEA Introduction


Program

Provide general purpose procedures and a “consistent” framework for preparing a SCEA. This includes:

• Introduction

• Scoping/Initial SCEA activities

• Analysis

• Mitigation

Provide general purpose procedures and a “consistent” framework for preparing a SCEA. This includes:

• Introduction

• Scoping/Initial SCEA activities

• Analysis

• Mitigation

SHA’s GuidelinesSHA’s Guidelines

SCEA Introduction


Program

Introduction

• Definitions - Secondary and Cumulative

• Combinations of Direct, Secondary and/or Cumulative Effects


Introduction

• Definitions - Secondary and Cumulative

• Combinations of Direct, Secondary and/or Cumulative Effects


SHA’s Guidelines - continuedSHA’s Guidelines - continued

Scoping/Initial SCEA Activities

• Resource Identification/Data Availability

• Setting the SCEA Geographical Boundary.

• Setting SCEA Time Frames - Past and Future

Scoping/Initial SCEA Activities

• Resource Identification/Data Availability

• Setting the SCEA Geographical Boundary.

• Setting SCEA Time Frames - Past and Future

SCEA Introduction


Program

Analysis

• Refinement of Geographical Boundaries and Resources

• Data Collection and Mapping

• Analysis Methodologies - Trends, Overlays, Matrices, Interviews

Analysis

• Refinement of Geographical Boundaries and Resources

• Data Collection and Mapping

• Analysis Methodologies - Trends, Overlays, Matrices, Interviews

SHA’s Guidelines - ContinuedSHA’s Guidelines - Continued

Documentation

• Preparing the Written SCEA Summary

• Responsibilities of SHA, agencies and locals

• Existing regulations and protective measures

Documentation

• Preparing the Written SCEA Summary

• Responsibilities of SHA, agencies and locals

• Existing regulations and protective measures

SCEA Introduction


Program

SCEA DON’TEach SCEA is unique based upon its “Project Purpose and Need” and its “Alternatives Retained for Detailed Study.” Do not apply a “cookie cutter” approach!

SCEA DON’TEach SCEA is unique based upon its “Project Purpose and Need” and its “Alternatives Retained for Detailed Study.” Do not apply a “cookie cutter” approach!


SCEA Introduction


Program

The following combinations of direct, secondary and/or cumulative impacts of an alternative on a resource may be encountered in transportation projects:

• Direct, Secondary and Cumulative Impacts- Typically, larger capacity-adding or economic

development projects. SHA examples include MRECAS, Hickory Bypass and US Route 1.

• Direct and Cumulative Impacts Only- Typically, smaller improvement-type projects, such

as bridge replacements and widenings to alleviate congestion/improve safety, but can include larger projects. SHA examples include US 113 Planning Study, MD 4 and MD 5.

• Secondary and Cumulative Impacts only- Probably not encountered often.

If project alternatives do not result in direct or secondary impacts upon a resource, then no further analysis of that resource is required.

The following combinations of direct, secondary and/or cumulative impacts of an alternative on a resource may be encountered in transportation projects:

• Direct, Secondary and Cumulative Impacts- Typically, larger capacity-adding or economic

development projects. SHA examples include MRECAS, Hickory Bypass and US Route 1.

• Direct and Cumulative Impacts Only- Typically, smaller improvement-type projects, such

as bridge replacements and widenings to alleviate congestion/improve safety, but can include larger projects. SHA examples include US 113 Planning Study, MD 4 and MD 5.

• Secondary and Cumulative Impacts only- Probably not encountered often.

If project alternatives do not result in direct or secondary impacts upon a resource, then no further analysis of that resource is required.

SCEA Introduction


Combining Impacts


Program

SCEA and the SHA Project Planning ProcessSCEA and the SHA Project Planning Process

STAGE I - Preliminary Alternatives Development through the “Public Alternates Workshop”.

STAGE II - Detailed Environmental and Engineering Studies through circulation of the Draft Environmental Document and the conducting of the Location/Design Public Hearing.

STAGE III - Identification of the selected alternative and preparation of the decision document.

STAGE I - Preliminary Alternatives Development through the “Public Alternates Workshop”.

STAGE II - Detailed Environmental and Engineering Studies through circulation of the Draft Environmental Document and the conducting of the Location/Design Public Hearing.

STAGE III - Identification of the selected alternative and preparation of the decision document.

SCEA Introduction

Project Planning Stages


Program

IRM - Interagency Review Meeting

SCEA Introduction

SCEA and the SHA Project Planning Process -continued

SCEA and the SHA Project Planning Process -continued


Program

• Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), including Supplemental Environmental Impact Statements (SEIS's)

• Environmental Assessments (EA's)

• Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), including Supplemental Environmental Impact Statements (SEIS's)

• Environmental Assessments (EA's)

Levels of Environmental Documentation Levels of Environmental Documentation

SCEA Introduction

SHA’s SCEA Guidelines apply to

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