California Department of Transportation
Caltrans > Business > Local Assistance > Interactive Training

 LAPM Chapter 6: Environmental Procedures

  1. Local Agencies may not proceed with the final design of a project or request "Authorization to Proceed with Right of Way or Construction" until Caltrans has signed a Categorical Exclusion (CE), a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), or a Record of Decision (ROD).
    2. True

    False
  2. There are three classes of actions possible to achieve compliance with the requirements of NEPA: Categorical Exclusion (CE), Environmental Assessment (EA), and Enviornmental Impact Statement (EIS).
    3. True

    False
  3. The District Senior Environmental Planner (SEP) or designee determines the NEPA Class of Action (CE, EA, or EIS) and required technical studies by signing the Preliminary Environmental Study (PES) form.
    4. True

    False
  4. NEPA "significant impacts" are the same as CEQA-identified "significant effects".
    5. True

    False
  5. Local agency(ies) shall not commence with any required technical study until after the PES Form has been fully signed by all signatorites.
    6. True

    False
  6. The local agency is responsible for obtaining all necessary permits, agreements, and approvals from resource and regulatory agencies (401/404, Encroachment, Coast Guard Bridge Permit, etc.) prior to advertisement for construction.
    7. True

    False
  7. The local agency is responsible for ensuring that all required mitigation is included in the construction contract.
    8. True

    False
  8. The local agency is responsible for informing the DLAE of any changes in the project so that these changes can be evaluated, and the validity of the CE Determination can be reevaluated.
    9. True

    False
  9. The Preliminary Environmental Investigation consists of which of the following:
    10. Development of a complete project description and project maps

    Verification of research findings in the field

    Review of relevant literature, maps and inventories

    Request for technical information from resource and regulatory agencies

    Removal of sensitive items from project site

    Completion of PES Form

  10. Under NEPA Delegation, FHWA is only responsible for:
    11. Posting Notices of Intent (NOI) and Records of Decision (ROD) in the Federal Register

    Making air quality conformity determinations as specified in the 6005 MOU

    Approving significant floodplain encroachments and concurring in Only Practicable Alternative Finding

    Performing audits and process reviews to ensure Caltrans compliance with Sections 6004 and 6005

    Performing all government-to-government consultations with Indian Tribes

    Performing environmental review, consultation or other related action on projects requiring FTA funding or approval, projects involving international and state borders, high priority projects, and Federal Lands Highway Program projects not designed and constructed by Caltrans

  11. Under SAFETEA-LU, the Section 6004 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between FHWA's California Division and Caltrans supersedes the November 18, 2003 Programmatic Categorical Exclusion Agreement.
    12. True

    False
  12. The Caltrans District Senior Environmental Planner completes the CE Checklist, signes the CE Form and makes the project-level conformity determination for 6004 CE's.
    13. True

    False
  13. NEPA requires mitigation only when an impact is designated as "significant".
    14. True

    False
  14. When cultural resource studies are required, FHWA must sign the APE (Area of Potential Effect) map.
    15. True

    False
  15. For EA's and EIS's, the local agency is responsible for performing a Quality Control Review of all technical reports and the draft EA or EIS in accordance with Caltrans standards, and for completing and signing the External Certifications (Environmental Document Quality Control Review Certification) form prior to submitting the draft EA or EIS and technical studies to the DLAE.
    16. True

    False
  16. Only FHWA may undertake formal consultation with federal resource or regulatory agencies.
    17. True

    False
  17. The DLAE must jointly approve PES Forms, APE maps, and CE Determinations.
    18. True

    False
  18. The local agency is required to provide Caltrans with a list of NEPA mitigation commitments and a copy of all environmental permits, approvals and agreements from resources and regulatory agencies.
    19. True

    False
  19. Caltrans HQ DEA Environmental Coordinators (HQ EC) are responsible for reviewing the following:
    20. EIS's

    Routine EA's

    Complex EA's

    Individual Section 4(f) Evaluations

  20. Caltrans Legal is responsible for ensuring the legal sufficiency of adminstrative EIS's and Individual Section 4(f) Evaluations.
    21. True

    False

 LAPM Chapter 7: Field Review

  1. The field review for local transportation projects serves the same purpose as the Project Study Report serves for state highway projects.
    2. True

    False
  2. The purpose of the field review process may include the following (choose all that apply):
    3. An opportunity to discuss alternative proposals

    Determine right of way and relocation assistance needs

    Brings together representatives from various involved agencies to discuss the project

    Secure agreement on design features and exceptions to standards

    Determines project costs

    Identifies potential ADA needs

    Determines if the project is an ITS project

    Defines project schedule

  3. A Emergency Relief (ER) project requires an on site field assessment, but not the field review form.
    4. True

    False
  4. A field review is usually required under which of the following circumstances:
    5. The project is a seismic safety project

    The project involves utility relocations

    There are multiple projects on a corridor involving more than one agency

    The project is a "major" NHS project

    The project involves an unusual structure

  5. Where it has been determined that a field review is required, the type of field review to be conducted is determined by the local agency.
    6. True

    False
  6. On Federal-aid projects, if a field review is not required, there is no need to complete the Field Review Form.
    7. True

    False
  7. If a field review is not required, an on-site visit by key project staff is still recommended as good practice to verify data and conditions.
    8. True

    False
  8. If the field review results in a significant change in scope from the approved FSTIP description, an amendment to the FSTIP may be required.
    9. True

    False
  9. Federal laws and regulations must be followed in all phases of work if there is FHWA participation in any phase.
    10. True

    False
  10. On Federal-aid projects, the Field Review Form must be completely filled out and submitted prior to the initial submittal of the PES form.
    11. True

    False

 LAPM Chapter 8: Public Hearings

  1. There are two types of public hearings: a formal public hearing and an informal public hearing.
    2. True

    False
  2. A public hearing is required during the circulation period for a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) when it is determined to be in the public interest.
    3. True

    False
  3. For projects with an Environmental Assessment (EA), a public hearing is required for any Federal-aid project which:
    4. Has a substantial adverse impact on abutting property

    Requires significant amounts of right of way

    Makes substantial changes to the layout or function of the facility or its connecting roadways

    Involves the installation of curb ramps

    Caltrans determines that such a hearing is in the public interest

    Otherwise has a signficiant social, economic, environmental, or other effect

  4. A public hearing is not required for a project processed with a Categorical Exclusion (CE).
    5. True

    False
  5. A notice of opportunity for public hearing may be utilized in lieu of public hearing when a project is not controversial and a request for hearing is not expected.
    6. True

    False
  6. A notice of public hearing shall be published at least twice in a newspaper having general circulation in the area of the project, the first being at least 45 days in advance of the hearing, and the second approximately two weeks in advance of hearing.
    7. True

    False
  7. The local agency shall furnish FHWA with a clipping or legible copy of the notice of public hearing when first published.
    8. True

    False
  8. Caltrans is responsible for the successful completion of all public hearing requirements.
    9. True

    False
  9. Whenever a public hearing is held, a record is prepared of the proceeding and a copy is forwarded to the DLAE.
    10. True

    False
  10. If substantial changes relevant to the environment are made or significant new information is found, a new public hearing is required.
    11. True

    False