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Environment
This Preliminary Engineering and Environmental Study (Phase I) Project Report was prepared following the requirements of the National Environment Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. NEPA established a national environmental policy intentionally focused on federal activities and the desire for a sustainable environment balanced with other essential needs of present and future generations.
NEPA requires that any federally funded proposed or future action (such as construction of a roadway) be carefully analyzed for all impacts to natural and cultural resources and to the human environment. This analysis must be documented and made available for public review and comment near the end of the study.
Because transportation projects vary in type, size, complexity, and potential to affect the environment, NEPA encompasses three levels of documentation:
- Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) – for projects where it is known that the action will have a significant effect on the environment.
- Environmental Assessment (EA) – for projects in which the significance of the environmental impact is not clearly established.
- Federally Approved Categorical Exclusions – for actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the environment.
In coordination with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Illinois Division, the I-270 over the Mississippi River study was determined to be a Federal Approved Categorical Exclusion and was approved by the FHWA in July 2018.
ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCIES – PROJECT COORDINATION
The project requires coordination with multiple Federal, State, & Local environmental agencies including:
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
- U.S. Army Corp of Engineers
- U.S. Coast Guard
- Osage Nation and Miami Tribe of Oklahoma
- Illinois State Historic Preservation Officer
- Illinois Department of Natural Resources
- Missouri Department of Natural Resources
- Missouri Department of Conservation
- Chouteau Island Levee & Drainage District
ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITS REQUIRED FOR THE PROJECT
It is anticipated the project will require the following environmental permits:
- Section 401 Water Quality Certification from the IEPA and MDNR
- Section 402 NPDES permit from the IEPA and MDNR
- Section 10 & 404 permits from the USACE
- Section 9 permit from the USCG
- Floodplain permit
- IDNR OWR permit
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENTS
The following summarize all environmental or engineering commitments required for this project.
Commitment 1:
- The use of explosives is prohibited on this construction contract as a method of demolition or construction.
- During demolition, the superstructure shall not be dropped into the river.
- The use of a cutterhead shall be prohibited as a dredging method.
- Mechanical excavation is the preferred method of dredging and shall be utilized where feasible.
- If it is discovered during construction that the use of a dust bin will be required for dredging, the area and amount of material to be dredged shall be coordinated with USFWS prior to the contractor starting and dredging activities.
Commitment 2:
All trees shall be removed between the dates of November 1 and March 31 of any given year.
Commitment 3:
To ensure the undertaking will have no adverse effect on the historic bridge, IDOT is to follow the Construction Vibration Monitoring Plan
Commitment 4:
When working in the waterway, the Contractor shall have a drilled shaft installation procedure to minimize disturbing the stream bed outside the permanent casing to comply with the permitting requirements. The Contractor shall use best management practices to minimize excavated
materials from the shaft, from being deposited in the river as means of disposal.
To view the environmental coordination please view the Project Report and the Appendix B by clicking on the following link:
