A Get-R-Done Approach for Construction and Maintenance Project Actions

Transportation projects affect the environment. Most transportation projects require permits and approvals by regulatory agencies before construction. Obtaining these permits and approvals often takes considerably longer than the actual construction project. A partnership was developed between the Idaho Transportation Department and federal regulatory agencies to review the road maintenance and construction program in Idaho. From this review 25 routine maintenance and construction project actions were identified and evaluated for impacts to threatened and endangered plant, animals, and habitat listed under the Endangered Species Act. The result of the partnership was a Programmatic Biological Assessment (PBA) document. This document demonstrates how conservation measures can be applied to protect listed species while streamlining and expediting the construction approval process. The PBA will save extensive time and money for the state of Idaho.