Section 2: Interagency Coordination/Permits
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Early coordination with regulatory and resource agencies allows for identifying and assessing project potential to affect jurisdictional interests of other agencies. Regulatory agencies have permitting requirements for proposed construction activities in their jurisdictional areas.
This section discusses the activities involved in identifying permit requirements, through coordination with agencies during early project development, so required permits can be obtained.
This section includes the following tasks:
30200. Perform early coordination with review/resource agencies
30210. Determine environmental permit requirements
Anchor: #i100824330200: Perform early coordination with review/resource agencies
Description. During early project planning, regulatory/resource agencies should be contacted and notified to obtain input, concerns, or opportunities regarding the project.
For projects impacting navigation and construction activities in waters of the United States, four agencies have regulatory authority.
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- US Coast Guard (USGC) Anchor: #HIWUPRAG
- US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Anchor: #QUNBFBHW
- Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Anchor: #QNKAVGMA
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Pertinent Project Types. Projects requiring environmental documentation
Responsible Party. Core team
Subtasks.
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- Coordinate task work with Environmental Affairs Division. Anchor: #LTBIEEWT
- Several agencies provide permit requirements, FAQs, and accept electronic permit applications. Anchor: #LDBGCGMN
- Begin discussions regarding environmental mitigation. See Task 30390: Prepare environmental mitigation plans.
Helpful Suggestions.
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- Include a project location map and any information that helps produce a project specific response versus a generalized information response. Anchor: #EVAALDTM
- Consider conducting field investigations with resource agencies and discuss issues in the field.
Critical Sequencing.
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- This coordination should be initiated after field investigations are conducted.
Authority.
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- Memorandum of Understanding with TCEQ - 43 TAC §2.301 et seq. Anchor: #HGYQQDLP
- Memorandum of Understanding with TPWD - 43 TAC §2.201 et seq. Anchor: #KVOJFQET
- Memorandum of Understanding with THC - 43 TAC §2.251 et seq.
Resource Material.
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- Environmental Affairs Division, Environmental Compliance Toolkits
30210: Determine environmental permit requirements
Description. Required permits are determined by project location, affected resources, and specific activities. Regulatory agencies have permitting requirements for proposed construction activities. The scope of work may require permits to comply with federal and state regulations governing activities within, or close to, the project area.
Processing time for permits can be three weeks to three months depending on the completeness of the application for the regulated activity covered by the permit. In emergencies, permits can be obtained in a matter of days or hours.
Pertinent Project Types. All projects, except preventive maintenance or restoration projects
Responsible Party. Core team
Critical Sequencing.
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- Determine permit requirements through early coordination with review agencies so design/construction requirements may be considered during schematic design.
Authority.
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- Construction in the vicinity of airports ‑ FAA, 14 CFR §77.9 Anchor: #YGXJDVVF
- National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended Anchor: #RQXODUBH
- Endangered Species Act of 1973, (ESA) Anchor: #ERGAJMRC
- Texas Historical Commission (THC) Anchor: #MBPDKWKL
- National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA), as amended Anchor: #OQLWOXUB
- Clean Water Act, (CWA), regulated by USACE Anchor: #GFHPSHWK
- TCEQ: Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) Anchor: #XLDSLVCI
- River and Harbors Appropriation Act of 1899 (RHAA) Anchor: #PUYYAOJQ
- Farmland Protection Policy Act (FPPA) Anchor: #RQKXARWL
- Clean Air Act (CAA), as amended Anchor: #AEIOUCDF
- Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (CZMA), as amended Anchor: #OQTVSEKG
- Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (MPRSA), as amended
Resource Material.
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- FAA Construction near airports, Part 77 Notice Criteria Tool Anchor: #YDKPMJVP
- Bridge Division, Bridge Project Development Manual – Agreements and Permits Anchor: #SLKSACLM
- TxDOT Hydraulic Design Manual Anchor: #GCSEKRLF
- TCEQ Notice of Intent for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction Activity under TPDES General Permit (TXR150000), Form