Environmental Policy Section
The Environmental Policy Section has two units: the Document Review Unit and the Hazardous Materials Unit.
The Document Review Unit is responsible for ensuring that Indiana’s transportation projects comply with federal and state requirements for environmental documentation, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Indiana Environmental Policy Act, and associated regulations. The unit prepares or reviews Environmental Impact Statements, Environmental Assessments, and Categorical Exclusions.
The Hazardous Materials Unit is responsible for responding to questions regarding the transportation, storage, and disposal of Hazardous materials/wastes associated with INDOT construction projects. They advise on hazardous materials policy, operations, and regulation as well as providing a link between IDEM, consultants, the public, and INDOT project staff. In addition, they prepare and review Red Flag Investigations, Phase I Investigations, and Phase II investigations for INDOT projects.
Environmental Policy Manuals
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2008 Procedural Manual for Environmental Studies (PDF)
Categorical Exclusion (CE) Preparation Manual
- Manual (PDF)
- Attachments (Zip File)
Project Development Tools
- Online GIS Atlas
- Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) Online Early Coordination
- Commitments Database (for INDOT users only)
Link to Helpful Websites
Water Quality Information
Air Quality Information
Policy Background
- Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Environmental Review Toolkit
- FHWA Section 4(f) Policy Paper
- Section 4(f) De Minimis Q&A
- AASHTO Center for Environmental Excellence
Hazardous Materials Information
Noise Information
Environmental Policy Section FAQs
General Public
Environmental Documentation
Q: What is NEPA?
A: NEPA stands for the National Environmental Policy Act. It applies to all projects that receive federal money or require federal approval. It requires the federal agency to consider the environmental consequences of a proposed action and to make that information available to the public. The goal is to balance the need for a sustainable environment with other national needs and goals. For more information, see: http://environment.fhwa.dot.gov/projdev/index.asp
Q: Are project environmental documents available to the general public?
A. Yes, completed documents are available to the public. Environmental documents for large projects are posted on the internet. Documents for smaller projects are made available in hard copy at local libraries and government offices in advance of scheduled public hearings. At other times you may request to review the document at the local INDOT district office (See district maps here).
Q: Is the public afforded the opportunity to provide input on INDOT projects?
A. Yes. Public involvement on proposed projects takes many forms, depending on the anticipated size and impacts. See the Public Involvement page for more detailed information.
Q. What is a Notice of Entry for Survey or Investigation?
A. See http://www.in.gov/indot/3253.htm for information on Notices of Survey.
Noise
Q: It is noisy at my house because of the nearby road. Can I get a noise barrier for my neighborhood?
A: Noise barriers are built for mitigation as part of projects that add capacity to the roadway and have the possibility to affect noise levels. Noise barriers are recommended during the environmental process on a case-by-case basis. Note that INDOT can only mitigate noise from state highways and interstates. Noise from local roads cannot be mitigated by INDOT.
Q: How do I know if there is an added capacity project near my home?
A: Contact your local INDOT service center and they will be able to tell you if any projects are planned nearby that would require a noise analysis, or if noise mitigation is already planned for your location.
Q: I’ve been told there are no added capacity projects near my house. Is there any other way that we can get a noise barrier?
A: INDOT only constructs noise barriers in conjunction with added-capacity projects. Any private endeavor outside of state right-of-way is at the discretion of the individuals involved.
Q: There is a noise barrier between the roadway and a site where I plan to construct a business. Can I have the noise barrier removed to improve visibility?
A: Anyone who wishes to have a barrier removed must conduct a noise study to determine whether removing the barrier will affect benefits to noise-sensitive development in the area. If the study shows no undesirable effects, then INDOT and FHWA may determine that the wall can be removed, at the requestor’s expense. Please contact the Office of Environmental Services if you are interested in pursuing barrier removal in your area.
Q: What is access control, and how does it affect whether noise mitigation is approved?
A: Access control is a formal limitation on the number of intersections from cross-streets and private driveways. This is important to noise barriers because breaks due to intersections and driveways drastically reduce the effectiveness of the barrier.
Consultants/Contractors General Q: Who do I contact for: …Hazardous materials review? A: Ken McMullen 317-232-5113 or kmcmullen@indot.in.gov …Environmental document submission? A: Ben Lawrence; 317-233-1164 or blawrence@indot.in.gov National Environmental Policy Act FAQs Q: What format should be used for Additional Information (AI) documents? A: This depends on the project and the type of change. For minor changes, the AI can be written in a memo format. For more complicated changes, a new CE may be necessary. Please refer to the Categorical Exclusion Manual for more specific information. Q. What is the commitments database? A: The Commitments database is an electronic tracking system for commitments made by INDOT (or the local public agency (LPA)) during the development of a project. It helps communicate the commitments to those later in the process who will need to meet them, and helps to ensure they are met. Q. Who enters commitments into the database? A: Since the database is accessed from within INDOT’s intranet, only INDOT personnel can access the database and enter commitments directly. However, an Excel-format spreadsheet is available that can be completed by consultants or other external parties for importing by the appropriate INDOT staff. The spreadsheet is available for download from the Office of Environmental Services webpage.
Q: Is there a standard list of commitments?
A: The items listed below will apply to nearly all transportation projects.
1. If permanent or temporary right of way amounts change, the Office of Environmental Services will be contacted immediately.
2. Any work in a wetland area within INDOT’s right of way or in borrow/waste areas is prohibited unless specifically allowed in the US Army Corps of Engineers or IDEM permit.
3. If any archaeological artifacts or human remains are uncovered during construction, federal law and regulations (16 USC 470, et seq.; 36 CFR 800.11, et al.) and State Law (IC 14-21-1) require that work must stop immediately and that the discovery must be reported to the Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology in the Indiana Department of Natural Resources within 2 business days.
4. If any potential hazardous materials are discovered during construction the IDEM Spill Line should be notified with details of the discovery within 24 hours. INDOT Office of Environmental Services, Hazardous Materials Unit should then be contacted to organize the proper handling of the material to be in accordance with the IDEM guidelines.
Hazardous Materials Manuals and Forms
Red Flag Investigation Template (Word file)
Hazardous Materials Unit Operating Manual (PDF)
Standard Operating Procedure for Asbestos Bridge Inspections and Reports (Word file)
- Single Lane Bridge Template (Word file)
- Both Lanes Bridge Template (Word file)
- Completed Example (Word file)
Hazardous Materials FAQs
Q: Which projects need a Red Flag investigation?
A. All projects should have some sort of Red Flag done prior to starting the NEPA process. Any project requiring purchase of ROW or having excavation must have a red flag approved by the Hazardous Materials Supervisor.
Q: Which projects need a Phase I investigation?
A. Any project whose Red Flag indicates the presence of a recognized hazardous materials concern within the established search distance in the project area.
Q: Which projects need a Phase II investigation?
A. Any project whose phase I shows a potential for an environmental concern that may affect the project or a parcel to be purchased. Or any phase I that cannot eliminate environmental concerns without the addition of soil/subsurface investigations.
Q: Which other investigations can the Hazmat unit assist with?
A. We can help with producing or reviewing tank closure documents (review), Environmental Restrictive covenants (produce and review), Further Site investigations (produce and review on a limited basis), waste classification (produce and review on a limited basis), Corrective Action Plans (review), ground water monitoring reports (review), etc.
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