Developing the \u201cIntegrated Transportation and Ecological Enhancements for Montana\u201d (ITEEM) Process: Applying the Eco-Logical Approach

https://doi.org/10.21949/15181682007PDFTech ReportFHWA #DTHF30-05-P-0001FHWA/MT-07-003/DTHF30-05-P-0001Restoration ecologyHabitat (Ecology)EcosystemsEcologyEnvironmental impactsProject managementInfrastructureMigrationIntegrated Transportation and Ecological Enhancements for MontanaITEEMMontanaWestern Transportation InstituteHardy, Amanda R.Burch, Theodore G.James, Carl J.Western Transportation InstituteUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationConstruction and maintenance of transportation systems can result in direct, indirect and cumulative effects on ecosystems. Typically, mitigation of unavoidable adverse impacts occurs on a project-by-project basis and commonly attempts to restore the same affected resource as close to the site where the impact occurs. This piecemeal approach may fulfill regulatory requirements but greater mitigation value may be achieved for a similar investment by evaluating and prioritizing off-site mitigation opportunities in the context of the entire ecosystem. Additionally, project-by-project environmental permitting practices involve repetitious procedures that sometimes unpredictably delay project delivery. Recently-released federal guidance encourages agencies to collaboratively and strategically plan infrastructure projects and related mitigation with goals of conserving and connecting important habitats, while increasing predictability and transparency of planning and regulatory permitting processes. This guide, entitled, \u201cEco-Logical: An Ecosystem Approach to Developing Infrastructure Projects,\u201d was used by an interagency group in Montana to create the \u201cIntegrated Transportation and Ecosystem Enhancements for Montana\u201d (ITEEM) process. As the first effort to \u201cpilot\u201d Eco-Logical\u2019s guidance, cooperating agencies gained insights that may help others follow Eco-Logical\u2019s framework. This report summarizes Montana\u2019s efforts to adapt Eco-Logical to create the ITEEM process and offers insights for other interagency efforts working to increase the efficiency of transportation project delivery while mitigating adverse impacts where the conservation efforts are most needed.88