Other Federal Legislation

Transportation project development must reflect the desires of communities, and take into account the impacts on both the natural and human environments.  Therefore, in addition to the various Federal Transportation Authorizations and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), transportation projects are subject to many other laws, regulations, and Executive Orders. These laws cover social, economic, and environmental concerns ranging from community cohesion to threatened and endangered species. The following sections cover some of these laws.

• Human Environment – These laws focus primarily on the built environment and its impacts on individuals, historical and cultural resources, hazardous materials, and environmental justice.
• Natural Environment – These laws primarily focus on the protection of natural resources such as air, water, wetlands, fisheries, and endangered species, including landmark laws such as the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act.