Assistant Commandant for Engineering and Logistics

Office of Environmental Management

 

Environmental Planning and Historic Planning

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires all Federal agencies to consider the impacts of proposed actions on the human environment and involve the public in the NEPA process. The Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation (EPHP) Team publishes all Environmental Impact Statements and Environmental Assessments of regional or national significance for public notice and comment. Interested parties can view recent draft and final NEPA documents below. Contact information for each project are included in each posting.

On April 23, 2019 CG-47 released the U.S. Coast Guard Environmental Planning Policy, COMDTINST 5090.1 (series) (EP CI) and the Environmental Planning Implementing Procedures (EP IP).  The EP CI mandates the use of the EP IP.  The two documents now align with the DHS NEPA policy, Implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act, Department of Homeland Security Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01 (series) and replace the old Coast Guard National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Implementing Procedures and Policy for Considering Environmental Impacts, COMDTINST 16475.1D, which has been cancelled. The EP CI and IP include significant changes to the Coast Guard environmental planning process and provide improved policy and procedures for complying with both NEPA and Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions, Executive Order (EO) 12114.  Coast Guard members engaged in environmental planning efforts or taking actions that trigger NEPA or EO 12114 requirements must read both the EP CI and IP in order to implement their requirements effectively.  Significant changes from COMDTINST M16475.1D included in the EP CI and IP include but are not limited to:

  • Policy and procedures on the requirements of EO 12114.
  • Pre-planning process and notification requirements for NEPA and EO 12114.
  • Timing of compliance with other related environmental mandates (ESA, NHPA, etc.).
  • Requirements to track and report mitigation and monitoring commitments.
  • Requirement to establish formal agreements for providing environmental planning support.
  • Specific guidance for both the acquisitions and shore facilities management programs

Policy Documents

USCG Environmental Planning Policy, COMDTINST 5090.1

Environmental Planning Implementing Procedures for COMDTINST 5090.1 Environmental Planning Policy

Draft Environmental Impact Statement, BNSF Railway Bridge 196.6 Project across the Missouri River, Morton and Burleigh Counties, Between Bismarck and Mandan, North Dakota

By USCG and Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc D8 dwb

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Between Bismarck and Mandan, ND, June 4, 2021 —

The United States Coast Guard, as the lead federal agency, announces the availability of a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) NEPA implementing regulations, and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), evaluating the potential environmental consequences of permitting the replacement of  the existing BNSF Railway Bridge across the Missouri River between the cities of Bismarck and Mandan, ND, or constructing a bridge adjacent to the existing bridge.  The applicant proposes to remove the existing structure, which is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.  The Coast Guard is analyzing proposed alternatives, through the NEPA and NHPA processes, to construct the new bridge while retaining the existing bridge.

With in-service components that are over 130 years old and a history of exposure to ice jams, Bridge 196.6 is approaching the end of its useful life and needs to be replaced to safely move future rail traffic along the BNSF northern corridor. The existing structure has shallow-foundation piers. BNSF has deemed the structure to be scour critical, which requires underwater inspections to be conducted every 5 years and after significant high-water events. Restrictions in load clearance and axle spacing limit the size and type of railcar that can traverse Bridge 196.6.


Related Links

Draft Environmental Impact Statement, BNSF Railway Bridge 196.6 Project across the Missouri River, Morton and Burleigh Counties, Between Bismarck and Mandan, North Dakota PART 2
Draft Environmental Impact Statement, BNSF Railway Bridge 196.6 Project across the Missouri River, Morton and Burleigh Counties, Between Bismarck and Mandan, North Dakota PART 1
BNSF Bismarck USCG US Coast Guard Bismarck Bridge BNSF Railway Bridge