5. Estimate of amount of time that state employees will spend developing the rule and of other resources necessary to develop the rule:
The estimated time for all state employees’ involvement is approximately 500 hours. Other resources, such as consultants, are not anticipated unless state employees cannot allocate the necessary time.
6. List with description of all entities that may be affected by the proposed rule:
• Wisconsin Department of Transportation – when considering the environmental effects of its major actions.
• Local units of government such as counties, cities, villages and towns – when preparing environmental documents for department-funded or reimbursed projects.
• Project stakeholders, such as the general public or environmental groups, who regularly engage with the department during the environmental review process are not anticipated to be significantly impacted. Some public review periods will be shorter or discretionary; for instance, review periods are shortened by combining the FIES and ROD. However, there will still be ample opportunity for public input and the proposed rulemaking will allow discretion to extend timeframes when appropriate.
7. Summary and preliminary comparison with any existing or proposed federal regulation that is intended to address the activities to be regulated by the proposed rule:
The proposed rulemaking will incorporate into Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter Trans 400 the streamlining provisions of MAP-21 and FHWA’s NEPA regulations, 23 CFR pt. 771, and guidance. The proposed changes are intended to be consistent with federal rules regulating the same types of activities, see policy proposals above. 8. Anticipated economic impact of implementing the rule (note if the rule is likely to have a significant economic impact on small businesses):
The proposed rule changes are not anticipated to have a significant economic impact to small businesses. The proposed changes have the potential to reduce time and cost on most department and local government unit transportation improvement projects.
Contact Person:
Daniel Scudder
State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Environmental Process and Documentation Section
4802 Sheboygan Avenue, Room 451
Madison, WI 53707
Phone: 608-267-3615
