Section 400.06. Policy.

 

(1)  The department shall strive to protect and enhance the quality of the human environment in carrying out its basic transportation mission and shall consider pertinent environmental factors consequential to any proposed action. The policy expressed in this section and the procedures defined in this chapter shall be implemented as an integrated process beginning during the initial planning stage for department action.

(2)  The department acknowledges WEPA as a legal obligation shared by all divisions of the department to evaluate and be aware of environmental consequences of proposed actions.

(3)  Alternative courses of action shall be evaluated and decisions on proposed actions shall be made in the best overall public interest consistent with state and federal statutes and regulations. Decisions on proposed actions shall be based upon a balanced consideration of the findings of the environmental document, public comments, and the need for safe and efficient transportation consistent with local, state and national environmental goals.

(4)  Public involvement, interagency coordination and consultation, and a systematic interdisciplinary approach to analysis of the issues shall be essential parts of the environmental process for proposed actions.

(5)  Measures necessary to avoid, minimize and to mitigate adverse environmental impacts of proposed actions shall be part of the development and evaluation of alternatives.

(6)  The department shall implement procedures to make the WEPA process more useful to decision makers and the public by reducing paperwork and reducing delay utilizing the means for achieving these goals as specified in the rules of the United States council on environmental quality at 40 CFR 1500.4 and 1500.5 , July 1, 1990, that are attached hereto in appendix 1. Environmental documents shall be concise, clear, and to the point and emphasize real environmental issues and alternatives.

(7)  In carrying out its responsibility under s. 1.11 , Stats., the department shall substantially follow the guidelines issued as rules by the United States council on environmental quality and federal transportation agencies.

History: Cr. Register, April, 1992, No. 436 , eff. 5-1-92.