Federal Register #FHWA-2026-0958

Proposed assignment of federal environmental review responsibilities to Georgia for covered highway activities

FHWA and GDOT propose sharing certain federal environmental review responsibilities for covered Georgia highway activities. - Government parties: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), within the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). - Proposed arrangement: A memorandum of understanding would allow GDOT to determine whether specified activities qualify as categorical exclusions under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and assign it certain related federal review and consultation responsibilities. - Environmental topics covered: Air quality, noise, fisheries and wildlife, historic and cultural resources, social and economic impacts, water resources and wetlands, parklands, and other FHWA-specific matters. - FHWA-retained responsibility: Formal government-to-government consultations with federally recognized Indian Tribes. - Procurement status: This is a proposed assignment of responsibilities, not a purchase of goods or services. No OEMs, vendors, products, quantities, part numbers, or service deliverables are identified.

Description

The Federal Highway Administration and the State of Georgia, acting through the Georgia Department of Transportation, propose an MOU for Georgia to participate in the Categorical Exclusion Assignment Program. Under the proposal, FHWA would assign Georgia authority to determine whether specified activities in the state qualify as categorical exclusions under NEPA. The MOU would also assign the state certain federal environmental review, consultation, and related responsibilities for covered projects, while FHWA retains responsibility for formal government-to-government consultations with federally recognized Indian Tribes. FHWA requests comments on the proposed MOU by November 2, 2026.

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