This category includes facilities and programs to minimize pollution from storm water runoff, and that are in addition to current requirements and procedures for such mitigation. Eligible activities in this category include the development of programs to mitigate highway runoff pollution and the planning, design and construction of the mitigation facilities themselves. The preferred type of facilities use natural systems for treatment, are self-maintaining, are aesthetically pleasing and ecologically valuable. These activities can be either stand-alone projects or part of a larger existing or proposed project under other Transportation Enhancement activities, as long as such activities are related to surface transportation.
This category also includes projects for the provision of wildlife connectivity. Examples are projects that would interconnect large areas with identified wildlife losses, especially losses of protected, threatened and/or endangered species on an official State or Federal designation list.
Note: all projects eligible under this category must be located along a roadway that has a functional classification of "limited/controlled access", "arterial" or "collector" (but not "local").
Allowable Uses
- Creation of wetlands, adding vegetated ditches, detention basins or other permanent filtering systems to filter highway runoff in a sensitive area.
- Installation of drainage facilities to restore/protect original drainage patterns.
- Educational activities.
- Improving streams and drainage channels through landscaping to promote filtering and improve the overall water quality conditions of receiving channels.
- Construction/modification of wildlife underpasses, overpasses, wall openings, fencing or culverts in critical locations which facilitate wildlife crossings.
- Bridge extensions to provide or improve wildlife passage/habitat connectivity.
- Monitoring/data collection on habitat fragmentation and vehicle-related wildlife mortality.
Unallowable Uses
- Installation of mitigating facilities where there is no wildlife or ecological habitat that has evidence of potential harmful effects of water pollution from highway runoff.
- Installation of any facility, such as a detention basin, for which the sponsoring agency has not identified operating funds for required maintenance.
- Installation of fencing along roadways not known to have critical wildlife crossings.
Budget Items for Consideration
- environmental consultant service (surveys, design, permit acquisition, layout, construction supervision)
- in-stream constructed wetland (land disturbing activities, construction, planting)
- geomorphic channel restoration
- water management
- water quality monitoring (equipment, testing, analysis)
- native grasses and shrub riparian buffers (land preparation, plant materials, labor, etc.)
- information and education (signage, brochures)
- project management
- administrative fees
- environmental documentation
Notes: Contingency amounts more than 10% over a two-year period must be accompanied by a detailed explanation.
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Community Service
