Environmental process | Environmental review
Environmental Justice (EJ)
Standard Attachment for Environmental Justice Analysis
Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool
Purpose
The purpose of this guidance is to ensure that the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review of MnDOT projects complies with Executive Order 12898 and any other relevant lead federal agency orders and guidance. Executive Order 12898 directs federal departments and agencies to take the appropriate steps to identify and address any “disproportionately high and adverse” human health or environmental effects that federal programs, policies, and activities may nave on minority and low-income populations.
Note that this guidance relates to the preparation of federal environmental documents. See MnDOT Environmental Justice homepage for more information on MnDOT’s other activities related to EJ.
When to use this subject
Any program, policy, activity, or project funded or approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), or other U.S. DOT component, specifically, if a MnDOT action requires preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA), or an Environment Impact Statement (EIS) under NEPA, where an agency of the US DOT is the lead federal agency, an analysis must be conducted in accordance with the lead federal agency guidance and reported in the NEPA document. Additionally, an environmental justice analysis must be completed if a MnDOT action requires the preparation of a Categorical Exclusion when there are residential or business relocations.
How this subject fits into the overall project development process
Begin identifying EJ populations early during the planning or project development phase and if present, engage these citizens and businesses throughout the entire process. If an EJ analysis is required for your project, you must have it completed prior to signing your NEPA document.
Organizations involved
- MnDOT:
- Office of Environmental Stewardship
- Public Engagement Section
- Project Managers
- District Design
- FHWA
- FTA