The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is a federal law enacted by Congress in 1969. It is an umbrella act under which different types of environmental studies are conducted to determine the impacts a proposed federal-aid project may have on the human and natural environment.

The NEPA process is also used to ensure federal-aid projects are compliant with other federal, state, and local environmental laws intended to protect, preserve, or improve our environment. 

Here are some NDOT projects that are governed by NEPA: 

Environmental Assessments

Interstate 15 Tropicana Project

NDOT, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), completed an Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the I-15 Tropicana Interchange Reconstruction project located in Clark County in 2020. The EA analyzed transportation improvements for this project consisting of replacing the existing interchange structures to widen and lengthen the Tropicana Avenue bridge over I-15. Other improvements include the replacement of an existing flyover, addition of HOV ramps, and the separation of through traffic on Dean Martin Drive from the Tropicana Avenue intersection. NDOT is implementing measures to avoid, reduce, or otherwise mitigate potential impacts associated with this project in compliance with federal, state, and local laws. 

More information is available on the project website.

Interstate 515/Charleston Boulevard Interchange

NDOT, in cooperation with the FHWA completed an EA and FONSI for I-515/Charleston Boulevard Interchange project located in Clark County in 2019. The project is the continuation of previous efforts undertaken by the City of Las Vegas combined with ongoing efforts by NDOT to identify and implement improvements along the I-515 corridor. The I-515/Charleston Boulevard Interchange project will help reduce crashes, congestion, and travel delays by improving the movement of traffic on both Charleston Boulevard and I-515 as well as improving pedestrian safety along Charleston Boulevard. NDOT is implementing measures to avoid, reduce, or otherwise mitigate potential impacts associated with this project in compliance with federal, state, and local laws.

More information is available on the project website.

I-15 South Corridor Improvement Project, Sloan Road to Tropicana Avenue

NDOT, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), completed an Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact for the I-15 South Corridor Improvement Project located in Clark County in 2009. The EA analyzed transportation improvements for this project consisting of expanding the capacity of I-15 between Sloan Road and Tropicana Avenue and expanding the capacity of Las Vegas Boulevard South from Sloan Road to Sunset Road. The EA also addressed proposed new and reconstructed interchanges and overpasses along the I-15 project corridor. NDOT is implementing measures to avoid, reduce, or otherwise mitigate potential impacts associated with this project in compliance with federal, state, and local laws.

 

Environmental Impact Statements

Interstate 80/I-580/U.S. 395 Reno Spaghetti Bowl Interchange Reconstruction Project

NDOT, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), completed an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Record of Decision for the Interstate 80/I-580/U.S. 395 Spaghetti Bowl Interchange Reconstruction project in Washoe County in 2019. The EIS analyzed transportation improvements for this project consisting of reconstructing the freeway and bridges, reconstructing and modifying interchange access to improve safety and traffic flow, and reconstructing local streets affected by the freeway reconstruction. NDOT is implementing measures to avoid, reduce, or otherwise mitigate potential impacts associated with this project in compliance with federal, state, and local laws.

More information about this project is available on the project website.

Pyramid Highway/U.S. 395 Connection

NDOT, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County, completed an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Record of Decision for the Pyramid Highway/U.S. 395 Connection project in Washoe County in 2018. The EIS analyzed transportation improvements consisting of arterial improvements to increase capacity along seven miles of Pyramid Highway, a new connection from Pyramid Highway to U.S. 395, a new interchange west of Sun Valley on the connection route, local roadway improvements, and bicycle and pedestrian improvements. NDOT is implementing measures to avoid, reduce, or otherwise mitigate potential impacts associated with this project in compliance with federal, state, and local laws.

More information about this project is available on the project website.

Resources & Policy Documents

Programmatic Agreements and Policy Documents

• Categorical Exclusions Programmatic Agreement
• NDOT Traffic and Construction Noise Analysis and Abatement Policy

Noxious Weed Management Checklist/Plan (Permits Only)

•  Noxious Weed Checklist-Plan Form

NDOT NOA & Erionite Commercial Import Material Clearance Guidance July 2019 

• NDOT NOA & Erionite Commercial Import Material Guidance

Environmental Program Procedures Guide

• Chapter 1-Organization
• Chapter 2-Project Development
• Chapter 3-Categorical Exclusions
• Chapter 4-Environmental Assessments
• Chapter 5-Environmental Impact Statements
• Chapter 6-Public Involvement Process
• Chapter 7-Section 106
• Chapter 8-Section 4(f)
• Chapter 9-Socioeconomics
• Chapter 10-Threatened & Endangered Species
• Chapter 11-Material Sites
• Chapter 12-Air Quality
• Chapter 13 - Traffic & Construction Noise 
  • Intro to TNM defaults
  • Sample no NSA memo example
  • NDOT how to conduct a noise measurement
  • Meter setup
• Chapter 14-Hazardous Materials & Waste
• Chapter 15-Other Environmental Analyses & Permits
• Chapter 16-Environmental Justice
• Chapter 17-NOA & Erionite
• Chapter 18-Emergency Procedures

Hazardous Materials

Hazardous Material Project Support Documents

• Bridge B-303 Sierra ST, Truckee River Reno
• Bridges B-1531 and B-1532 S Arlington Ave, Truckee River Reno
• Bridge G-765E I-80 west of Reno
• Bridge G-772E I-80 West of Reno
• Project 69978 I-80 From McCarren Interchange to Keystone Interchange, Bridge H-1162 survey report
• Contract 3996, Bridge B-608 survey report 
• Project SP-000M(301) Bridge 2845 survey report 
• Project SP-000M(301) Bridge 333 survey report 
• Project Number 60935 Bridge 571S survey report, Bridge 571N survey report, Bridges 974 NS survey report, Bridges 973 NS survey report, Bridges 1109 NS survey report
• Project Number 74267- Bridge 1412 survey report, Bridge 1442 survey report, Bridge 1443 survey report
• Project Number 61010, Charleston Demo Project - 10 Del Amo Survey
• Project Number 74329 -Bridge 581 survey report
• Project Number 61010, Charleston Demo Project - 3932 La Cruz survey , 3936 La Cruz survey ,3936 La Cruz survey
• Project Number 73753, Bridge G-29 survey report
• Contract 3294, Bridge 452 survey report
• Project Number 7433, Bridge 422 survey report
• Project Number 74107, Bridge G-1092 NS survey, Bridge I-1093 NS survey, Bridge G-1748 NS survey
• Project Number 74194, Bridge coating materials analytical report, 74194 - Heavy metal reports Verdi Bridges

Wildlife Crossings & Transportation 

2023 Assembly Bill 112

In June 2023, the Nevada State Legislature passed Assembly Bill No. 112 (AB112) with the goal of identifying, facilitating, and funding potential wildlife crossings to improve wildlife connectivity and reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions in the state. Specifically, AB112 established three primary objectives.

1. It creates a Wildlife Crossings Account in the State General Fund that can be used for the “design, construction, identification, restoration and protection of wildlife crossings and other related highway features to improve wildlife permeability” in Nevada.
2. It requires a review of the standards and specifications in use by the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) to “determine the standards and specifications necessary for incorporating wildlife crossings or other related highway features.”
3. It requires the publication of an “inventory of connectivity needs” where the “implementation of wildlife crossings and other related highway features will improve permeability for wildlife, reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions or enhance wildlife connectivity.”

Support documents:

• 2023 Assembly Bill 112 – An Act relating to wildlife.
• 2023 Assembly Bill 112 – Section 3 – An inventory of connectivity needs and existing infrastructure.

'VOA-TEK Mountain Lions' feature NDOT Biologist Nova Simpson

NDOT Biologist Nova Simpson discussed how NDOT works to mitigate human-wildlife conflict in our travel corridors in Nevada on VOA-TEK's 'Mountain Lions' show, which aired November 2, 2021.

National Wildlife Foundation's Artemis Podcast featuring NDOT Biologist Nova Simpson

NDOT Biologist Nova Simpson discussed how NDOT works to mitigate human-wildlife conflict in our travel corridors in Nevada on the July 8, 2021, podcast episode of the National Wildlife Foundation's Artemis podcast.

"(Re)Connecting Wild" Documentary Film

This video highlights the wildlife crossing structures that cross over and under US 93 and I-80 to reduce deer-vehicle collisions. During spring and fall migrations, thousands of mule deer move across the landscape to reach their summer and winter grounds. These movements put them in the path of traveling motorists creating a safety risk to both humans and wildlife. Wildlife crossing structures have eliminated 80-90% of the deer-vehicle collisions in these areas and provided safe passage for wildlife to navigate Nevada roads. This video is filmed and produced by Jake Willers at NineCaribou Productions.

To watch the full video, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NK-mvhPMokY. Warning: This video has footage that may be disturbing to some audiences. Viewer discretion is advised.

This documentary would not have been possible without the help of our partners at ARC Solutions. ARC Solutions is an interdisciplinary network that promotes solutions to improve human safety, wildlife mobility and landscape connectivity by fostering innovation in the placement, design and construction of wildlife crossings. The film has also been translated and screened on national television in Romania. 

Mule Deer Migration

Check out this video shot and produced by Tim Torell of mule deer migrating in Nevada.

Wildlife Crossing StoryMaps

ARC Solutions, whom NDOT partnered with on the "(Re)Connecting Wild" Documentary Film, has developed new crossing success stories featuring projects from across a broader range of geographies, structure types, and species served. 

Here are a few where NDOT's work in the wildlife crossings space is highlighted:

• The Wonderful World of Wildlife Crossings
• Interstate 80 and Highway 93 Pequop Crossings Network
• Mojave Desert Tortoise Crossing