Environmental Stewardship Conference

Rules and Tools for Changing Environments

April 19, 2017

Sponsored by: Facilitated by:MnDOT Office of Environmental Stewardship

MnDOT

Rules and Tools for Changing EnvironmentsApril 19, 2017

Continuing Education and Conference CenterUniversity of Minnesota, Saint Paul

Sponsored by:Office of Environmental StewardshipMinnesota Department of Transportation

Facilitated by:Center for Transportation StudiesandCollege of Continuing EducationUniversity of Minnesota

Conference Planning Committee

Welcome to the 2017 MnDOT Environmental Stewardship Conference

Lori Belz, MnDOTAlyssa Boock, MnDOT Harold Bottolfson, MnDOT Scott Bradley, MnDOT Tara Carson, MnDOT Lynn Clarkowski, MnDOT

Brett Danner, SRF Consulting GroupDavid Hanson, MnDOTSarah Jarman, MnDOTDavid Larson, MnDOTTina Markeson, MnDOTLinda Pate, MnDOT Committee Chair

Phil Forst, Federal Highway AdministrationLynnette Roshell, MnDOTTim Sexton, MnDOTSiri Simons, MnDOTSam Turrentine, SEH, Inc.

m, DEPARTMENT OFTRANSPORTATION

395 John Ireland Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55155

April 19, 2017

From the Minnesota Department of Transportation Office of the Commissioner

The Minnesota Department of Transportation's Office of Environmental Stewardship and the University of Minnesota's Center for Transportation Studies are pleased to welcome you to the 2017 Mn DOT Environmental Stewardship Conference.

This year's Environmental Workshop theme is Rules and Tools for Changing Environments. From forecasting to planning, design, and construction to project completion, every aspect of our work is affected by changes all around us. The purpose of this conference is to provide the latest information on environmental issues and new or modified regulations as they relate to MnDOT projects. This year's conference focuses on understanding and responding to changes and current challenges in multimodal transportation project planning and delivery requirements.

Evolving technologies, changing climate, new approaches to community engagement, and new MnDOT and federal policies are influencing how we do our work. This conference will get you up to speed on the most current tools available and on recent MnDOT and federal environmental policy changes impacting MnDOT projects. This conference is guided by MnDOT's vision that Minnesota's multimodal transportation system maximizes the health of people, the environment, and our economy, and it reflects MnDOT's commitment to provide the latest and most useful information to all who are involved in the delivery of transportation projects.

Enjoy the workshop and thank you for your participation.

Sincerely,

Charles A Zelle Commissioner Department of Transportation

An equal opportunity employer

7:30−8:00 a.m. Registration & Continental Breakfast (Upper-Level Lobby)

Room 1358:00−8:15 a.m. Welcome, Opening Remarks and Conference Overview

Lynn Clarkowski, Director, Office of Environmental Stewardship, MnDOT

8:15−8:45 a.m. Commissioner’s MessageCharles A. Zelle, Commissioner, MnDOT

8:45−9:15 a.m. Awards PresentationScott Bradley, Director, Context Sensitive Solutions & Office of Environmental Stewardship Pre-Construction Section, MnDOT

9:15−10:15 a.m. Keynote AddressShari Schaftlein, Director, Office of Human Environment, Federal Highway AdministrationThe Office of Human Environment includes a Livability Team, a National Systems and Economic Development Team, a Research Implementation Team and a Financial Service Team. Ms. Schaftlein’s presentation will incorporate current issues in the Office of Human Environment as well as any national initiatives emerging from the new administration.

10:15−10:30 a.m. Awards PresentationScott Bradley, Director, Context Sensitive Solutions & Office of Environmental Stewardship Pre-Construction Section, MnDOT

10:30−11:00 a.m. Break

Room 135AC Room 135BD Room 155

11:00 a.m.−noon Session 1: Protected Species Overview and Updates

Session 2: Emergency Repairs and Environmental Assessment

Session 3: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) For Transportation and the Environment

Chris Smith, MnDOT Andrew Horton, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Moderator: Scott Bradley, MnDOT

This session will include an overview of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and an introduction to the federal and state consultation processes, recent Federal ESA list changes, and a look at the USFWS seven- year listing work plan. Finally, this session will cover MnDOT’s review process for protected species and new initiatives.

Sulmaan Khan, MnDOTBill Lohr, Federal Highway AdministrationDoug Stahl, MnDOT

Moderator: Tara Carson, MnDOT

After catastrophic weather or other disaster strikes, urgency to clean up and reconstruct quickly makes it tempting to circumvent the environmental process. This panel discussion will outline steps agencies need to take to identify the appropriate level of environmental assessment and share their experiences with emergency environmental assessment.

Adam Smith, MnDOT Colin Lee, MnDOT

Moderator: Dave Hanson, MnDOT

This session will explain the underlying concepts and high-light several applications of precision mapping by UAS within the MnDOT Photogrammetric Unit.

Noon−1:00 p.m. Lunch

2017 MnDOT Environmental Stewardship Conference:

Rules and Tools for Changing EnvironmentsApril 19, 2017

Room 135AC Room 135BD Room 155

1:00−2:00 p.m. Session 4: New Programmatic Categorical Exclusion (PCE) Agreement: What You Need to Know

Session 5: Rapid Fire Roundtable of Emerging Topics: Visual Quality, USACE, Noise, EQB, Bicycle/Pedestrian, Sustainability

Session 6: Using 3D Printing and Physical Models to Enhance Communication, Engagement, and Design

Phil Forst, Federal Highway AdministrationNancy Frick, MnDOT

Moderator: Lynnette Roshell, MnDOT

This session will introduce the new FHWA-MnDOT Agreement streamlining tool for processing NEPA approval of Categorical Exclusion-type projects. With a majority of federally funded highway projects categorized as Cat Ex, environmental documentation staff need to understand the revised environmental thresholds for MnDOT document approval, as well as the new QA/QC and reporting requirement.

Ben Orne and Omar Ortiz, USACECraig Churchward, Michael Baker InternationalPete Wasko, MnDOTCourtney Ahlers-Nelson, Minnesota Environmental Quality BoardAmber Dallman, MnDOTTim Sexton, MnDOT

Moderator: Lori Belz, MnDOT

Get “Just the Facts” with updates on sustainability, noise, visual impact assessment, USACE permits, the Environmental Quality Board, and supporting pedestrian and bicycle networks.

Kristin Petersen, SEH, Inc.

Moderator: Brett Danner, SRF Consulting Group

This session will show how 3D printing technology, laser cutting, and traditional modeling tools are being used to enhance outreach and ensure equitable engagement.  This technology was used on two recent MnDOT projects: Red Wing Bridge and I-35W Lake Street Transit Access. The presentation will cover costs, methods, and lessons learned for the development of 3D engagement models. Several 3D printed models will be available for display and demonstration.

2:00−2:30 p.m. Break

Room 135AC Room 135BD Room 155

2:30−3:30 p.m. Session 7: Environmental Ethics and the Built Environment: Narratives, Histories, Futures

Session 8: Public Engagement Tools

Session 9: Data Digitization and Interagency Cooperation

Dan Philippon, University of Minnesota

Moderator: Alyssa Boock, MnDOT

More than just rules and tools, environmental ethics asks us to think deeply about who are we, what we value, and how we ought to live as individuals and as a society. This session introduces some of the major concerns in environmental ethics including environmental justice, future generations, and sustain-ability while considering ways they might inform MnDOT’s mission.

Katie Caskey, MnDOTSarah Rudolf, MnDOT

Moderator: Siri Simons, MnDOT

In this session, you’ll discover how and when to collect feedback from your stakeholders, what tools can help you gather instant feedback in a large meeting, and how public engagement tools and strategies compare in terms of effectiveness and cost. 

Michael Bergervoet, MnDOT

Moderator:  Harold Bottolfson, MnDOT

MnDOT Cultural Resources Unit is spearheading a statewide digitization effort in order to streamline our internal processes and coordinate with other agencies whose data we share. This cooperative arrangement allows each agency to maintain authority over its own data, disseminate it to appropriate individuals, and provides the ability for cultural resources staff to best protect and preserve Minnesota’s cultural heritage.

3:30−5:00 p.m. Reception and Networking

Program at a Glance continued

AICP Certification Maintenance CreditsCertification Maintenance credit has been requested for all of the conference concurrent sessions. Approved sessions will be listed on the AICP website.

Professional Development Hours (PDHs)Attendees of this conference may receive up to 5.50 professional development hours. A PDH form is available in the conference folder.Session 7 qualifies for one hour of ethics-related training for the Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design (AELSLAGID).

Continuing Education and Conference Center

Upper Level Floor Plan

Elevator

Rest RoomsRest Rooms

Notes

Thank you to our sponsors!