Paper Details

TRB 90th Annual Meeting (January 23-27, 2011)

Event Number:	224
Event Title:	Ecology of Scale: Road Ecology Research and Practice
Event Date:	Jan 24 2011 8:00AM- 9:45AM
Event Location:	Hilton, Columbia Hall 6
Event Description:
Event Agenda:	Presentation of papers submitted to the Ecology and Transportation Committee covering an engaging range of topics and georgraphies; from rare insects and carnivorres on the east and west coasts to project-level assessment and innovative mitigation of effects for highway capacity.

Ecological Assessment Process and Credit System for Highway Capacity Projects (11-0958)

This Strategic Highway Research Program Capacity Project study developed an ecological assessment method for highway capacity projects within an integrated ecological and transportation planning framework, building on Eco-Logical: an Ecosystem Approach to Developing Infrastructure Projects by providing the tools needed to implement the principles. Existing ecological assessment and ecosystem crediting tools were surveyed and assessed and a new template for cumulative effects and alternatives analysis was developed. The resulting ecological assessment framework includes methods for enhancing data needed to reach early agreement with regulatory agencies under the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act. Guidance for developing function-based ecosystem crediting tools to meet regulatory requirements and broader environmental stewardship goals is also provided. The assessment framework has been piloted in three states to compare results between the new method and traditional methods. Initial results and case studies show that integrated ecological and transportation planning can expedite capacity project delivery and improve environmental outcomes.

Authors
     Achterman, Gail Louise, Oregon State University
     Kagan, James Scott, Institute for Natural Resources (Oregon State University)
     Gaines, Lisa , Institute for Natural Resources (Oregon State University)