FHWA distributed 14 Implementation Assistance Grants to State DOTs and MPOs to advance implementation of Eco-Logical in these agencies.
Lead Adopter Incentives
Lead Adopter Incentives support practitioners that have completed early steps of the Eco-Logical approach, including agencies with existing collaborative partnerships that have developed or used REFs.
- Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC)
ARC is developing protocols and models to link economic factors with green infrastructure to enhance REF outcomes.
- Charlottesville-Albemarle MPO
The MPO is testing the application of an existing REF in transportation projects and conservation prioritization throughout the Charlottesville-Albemarle MPO region.
- Idaho Transportation Department (ITD)
ITD is partnering with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game to improve data delivery and sharing to IPLAN—a web-based, cloud portal that enables staff and customers to view ITD data sources. ITD’s proposal includes refinement of the CHAT layers along Idaho highways and establishment of data sharing protocols. This will result in saving time and money during highway planning as well as protecting the ecology along the corridors.
- MaineDOT
MaineDOT is applying its REF to Categorical Exclusion projects, including gap analysis, procedural changes, preferred construction practices, and programmatic agreements.
- Michigan DOT (MDOT)
MDOT is implementing the IEF steps in the I-75 corridor in the southeast Michigan/Lake Erie coastal zone.
- North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG)
NCTCOG is updating its REF and identifying sub-watershed focus areas for mitigation, then applying the REF to a Pilot Corridor Feasibility Study and implementing mitigation as part of a regional shared mitigation program.
- Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments (PPACOG)
PPACOG is establishing an Integrated Regional Mitigation Plan to improve mitigation projects in the Pikes Peak area and applying it to project evaluation in the LRTP.
User Incentives
User Incentives support State DOTs and MPOs that have interest, though not necessarily prior experience, in adopting Eco-Logical into their organizations.
- Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG)
AMBAG is gathering transportation and natural resource data needed for a new REF.
- California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
Caltrans is expanding its Highway 89 Stewardship Team to address other animal/highway issues through mentoring new groups and providing training and technical assistance.
- Idaho Transportation Department (ITD)
ITD is working to update and revise the current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between ITD and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Incorporating new data sharing protocols and developing a gap analysis of data delivery, assessment, and policy will lead to recommendations for collaboration.
- Missouri DOT (MoDOT)
MoDOT is working with the MDC to help identify and incorporate new information, technologies, and best management practices that will be used to update the Missouri Natural Heritage Review website to provide better applications for transportation planning and deliver enhanced benefits for the natural resources. MoDOT will develop a Memorandum of Understanding with the MDC for data sharing of natural resource information.
- New Hampshire DOT (NHDOT)
NHDOT, in partnership with the New Hampshire Natural Heritage Bureau, is implementing a pilot project to assess wetlands impacted by roadway projects using standardized wetland assessment methodology (Ecological Integrity Assessment) and comparing the EIA assessment to the current wetland assessment method (Highway Methodology).
- Ohio Kentucky Indiana Regional Council of Governments (OKI)
OKI is integrating and mapping data from three State Natural Heritage Databases with the OKI Regionally Significant Environmental Resource data to inform the OKI Regional LRTP.
- Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG)
SCAG is developing a regional open space database and an assessment methodology to identify important areas for conservation.
