[20030530]RS20841_《21世纪运输公平法》中的环境精简条款：执行情况.pdf

Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS20841Updated May 30, 2003Environmental Streamlining Provisions in theTransportation Equity Act for the 21st Century:Status of ImplementationLinda G. Luther and David M. BeardenResources, Science, and Industry DivisionSummaryBefore construction on a federally funded surface transportation project canproceed, the Department of Transportations (DOTs) Federal Highway Administrationmust comply with all state and federal legal requirements regarding the environment,including the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321 etseq.). In 1998, Congress passed the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century(TEA-21, P.L. 105-178), which reauthorized the federal surface transportation programs.At the time, various stakeholders reported to Congress that the numerous federalenvironmental approvals and permits needed to build a highway were inefficient andoverly time-consuming. Congress attempted to address these concerns by including“Environmental Streamlining” provisions in TEA-21 that required DOT to develop andimplement a “coordinated environmental review