Training and Workshops

Linking Transportation and Conservation Planning Workshop
November 13 & 14, 2007
Summary Report prepared for Federal Highway Administration and North Central Texas Council of Governments

Results from Day Two

Introduction
Results from Day One
    Key Points
    Breakout Groups
Results from Day Two
    Key Points
    Breakout Groups
Items for Follow-up
Appendix A
Appendix B

The second day of the conference included a summary of the first day for the executives and a description of some of the state and regional conservation efforts followed by a planning exercise and a discussion of next steps.

Key Points

Here are some of the key points from the second day:

• TPWD discussed the Texas Wildlife Action Plan which is an important document for Texas nongame and is focused on habitat and species. The plan includes a discussion of conservation issues related to transportation such as air quality, water quality, sprawl, etc., along with mitigation measures. Need to integrate data into TPWD database to make data usable for integrated planning.
• EPA Region 6 discussed their tools for planning and conservation. The Texas Environmental Resource Stewards (TERS) was formed by various Federal and state agencies to collaborate on common ecosystem management and regulatory streamlining issues. TERS developed a product, Texas Ecological Assessment Protocol (TEAP) which analyzes existing broad-scale electronic data to identify important ecological areas in Texas that should be avoided or protected. This tool can be used to produce data and information that ultimately leads to enhanced decision-making. It was identified that TERS efforts need to be reinvigorated and include more stakeholders including transportation planners.
• Vision North Texas (VNT) was presented. VNT is a collaborative effort of stakeholders to create a shared vision for the region's future and develop action steps needed to achieve that vision by 2050. VNT development principles include efficient growth, environmental stewardship, resource efficiency, and transportation efficiency. More details on VNT can be found at www.visionnorthtexas.org.
• An exercise was conducted using a map from TPWD showing the occurrence of rare species and conservation areas with the draft 2030 transportation proposals superimposed. This was for illustration purposes only but it demonstrated how conservation and transportation data can be linked and discussed at the planning level. Vision North Texas, NCTCOG, The Nature Conservancy, and TPWD were all asked to provide comments on the map.
• The Nature Conservancy laid out a vision of conservation goals and ways we might achieve these goals - the idea of using native species for roadside planting to create Linking Conservation and Transportation Planning Workshop corridors for at-risk species (primarily plants) in combination with identifying conservation areas where low-density development is needed to preserve integrity of at-risk habitats. NCTCOG expressed concern about using roadsides as corridors - further discussion may be needed.
• A comparison of transportation and conservation goals was presented, and it was discovered that a commonality exists between goals except that many conservation goals did not distinguish between short- and long-term goals like transportation plans.

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Breakout Groups

The attendees broke out into three groups and listed the next steps that need to be taken in the North Central Texas region to further the link between conservation and transportation planning that has already begun. The steps chosen are summarized into three groups below:

1. Organizational Steps
   • Identify appropriate structure (committee or agency) to lead and continue this integrated planning effort in the future.
   • Establish a leader and coordinator for linking conservation and transportation planning and institutionalize the effort.
   • Identify and engage additional agencies that have not been involved in these dialogs so far, including local and county representatives.
   • Identify champion(s) of integrated planning at the various state, regional, and MPO planning agencies.
   • Add a MPO representative to the TERS.
   • Establish follow-up monthly or quarterly meetings to continue the momentum established at this workshop. These meetings should include both policy and technical representatives. May need technical team to provide input into overarching integrated planning team.
   • Hold an annual summit or forum of all the involved agencies.
   • Agencies should be involved earlier in the planning process rather than just at the project permit stage.
2. Data Steps
   • Identifying data needs and gaps including the need for timely data and the sharing of data among interested agencies. Interest in predictive range-mapping in combination with field work to assist in filling data gaps.
   • The level or scale of the data should be matched with the level of the decisionmaking - plan, corridor, or project levels.
   • Work with universities to get their help in gathering data including conducting wildlife or other surveys.
   • Consider pooling resources to purchase and organize key data.
   • Consider establishing a committee to identify and address data needs for all of the partners. Establish priorities within the list of data needs.
   • Consider using NEPA documents to help decide on data priorities.
3. Process Steps
   • Inventory current planning efforts across the region and state. Include in the inventory goals and objectives from the various plans and programs.
   • Review organizational strategic plans on an ongoing basis.
   • Integrate regional efforts involving the "three-legged stool" - land use, conservation, and transportation.
   • Map out relationships between each initiative and decide on the appropriate place to begin involvement.
   • Develop strategies on how to identify and involve the right people at the right levels. In addition to the appropriate transportation and conservation groups the public should be included. Also, leverage existing forums and processes to get the word out. Environmental documents could be used to help identify key people.
   • Identify other issues that need to be included in these actions such as environmental justice.
   • Integrate various regional conservation and transportation plans such as Mobility 2030, Vision North Texas, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), and TPWD plans, etc.
   • Develop an understanding of other groups, including what they do and want to accomplish, and then integrate them into the process.
   • Identify related processes that can be moved from the project phase to the planning phase.
   • Develop cooperative exercises, plans, etc. (always be on patrol for new efforts).
   • Educate and inform the higher levels within the organizations as well as locally elected and appointed officials.
   • Consider cross-training among organizations so staff learns about other disciplines.
   • Establish a listserv.

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