Minnesota Department of Transportation

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Project development

Environmental process | Environmental review

Categorical Exclusions (CE) - Class II Actions

Purpose

Categorical exclusions are types of projects that normally do not have a significant effect on the human environment and, therefore, neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement normally is required.

When to use this subject

Bigger or more complicated projects may need the Long Form CATEX, especially if the document (or draft) will be used with the public or if agencies have need or more detailed information or discussion. All Non-Programmatic Categorical Exclusions require use of the Long Form.

The Short Form CATEX is used for non-complex projects. The Short Form primarily uses “check-boxes” with little or no writing involved unless certain thresholds are reached requiring additional process and/or documentation in order for the project to be processed as a CATEX. Any additional information or discussion is attached in the appendix. Projects with citation under 23 CFR 771.117(c) use the c-list Short Form. Projects with citation under 23 CFR 771.117(d) use the d-list Short Form. The forms themselves provide process guidance along with the PCE Decision Making Guide.

How this subject fits into the overall project development process

The environmental review process is a lengthy process that begins in scoping and ends with the signing of the Categorical Exclusion document.

Process guidance and templates

Programmatic Categorical Exclusion (PCE)

District determines appropriate format for CATEX (Short Form or Long Form)

Early coordination

District uses the Social, Economic, and Environmental Impacts or "SEE" list in the CATEX Form along with thresholds in TPDP subject guidance to determine the functional groups and other agencies that should be notified.

District solicits early coordination from MnDOT Cultural Resources Unit (CRU), other MnDOT functional groups, and other agencies. (District typically uses Early Notification Memo (ENM).)

Prepare Categorical Exclusion Determination (CATEX)

District prepares draft CATEX using information from functional groups and other sources.

Review of draft CATEX District personnel, including environmental coordinator, project manager, wetlands specialist, and others as appropriate.

Optional Office of Environmental Stewardship (OES) review at the request of District.

District prepares final CATEX.

Approvals

District Engineer approves CATEX.

Non-Programmatic Categorical Exclusion (Non-PCE)

District notifies MnDOT Office of Environmental Stewardship (OES) and FHWA of intent to prepare a CATEX (Long Form)

Early coordination

District uses the Social, Economic, and Environmental Impacts or "SEE" list in the CATEX Form along with thresholds in TPDP subject guidance to determine the functional groups and other agencies that should be notified.

District solicits early coordination from MnDOT Cultural Resources Unit (CRU), other MnDOT functional groups, and other agencies. (District typically uses Early Notification Memo (ENM).)

Prepare Categorical Exclusion Determination (CATEX)

District prepares draft CATEX using information from functional groups and other sources.

Review of draft CATEX District personnel, including environmental coordinator, project manager, wetlands specialist, and others as appropriate.

Review of draft CATEX by MnDOT OES.

Review of draft CATEX by FHWA.

District prepares final CATEX.

Approvals

District Engineer signs CATEX recommending OES approval.

MnDOT OES, Chief Environmental Officer, approves CATEX and requires FHWA approval.

FHWA Area Engineer concurs that project meets criteria for a categorical exclusion and approves CATEX.