The US Department of Transportation released draft regulations to implement TEA-21's "streamlining" language in late May that include important revisions to the environmental review process. Months of scrutiny by policy aides, agency officials, and interest groups will come to a head in Senate and House committee hearings scheduled for Sept. 12th and 13th respectively and in public comments due to the agency by September 23rd.

After successfully beating back efforts by Congressional proponents of "streamlining" that would have hobbled National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) provisions that now can be used to raise serious questions about environmentally destructive highway projects, the Coalition to Defend NEPA closely followed the development of DOT's regulations, and has prepared detailed comments (MTR #164). Specifically, the comments push for the full integration of the Major Investment Study (MIS), a step that requires a broad analysis of project alternatives, into both the planning and the NEPA-related regulations, and expanded public participation in the review process.

Founded in 1998 by the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, the Coalition to Defend NEPA has 140 member groups nation-wide. Environmental, transportation, or civic organizations that would like more information about joining the Coalition to Defend NEPA or adding their names and support to the Coalition's comments should contact Ben Forest at 212-268-7474 or write him at bforest@tstc.org.