Air Pollution:

EPA Needs More Data From FHwA on Changes to Highway Projects

RCED-90-72, Mar 20, 1990

Contact:

Richard L. Hembra
(202) 275-6111
contact@gao.gov

 

Office of Public Affairs
(202) 512-4800
youngc1@gao.gov

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO addressed the states' implementation of a Clean Air Act requirement that federally funded highway projects conform to plans designed to reduce air pollution.

GAO found that: (1) the Clean Air Act did not specify how state conformity should be determined; (2) the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHwA) disagreed on whether air quality analyses were needed to determine conformity for individual projects; (3) FHwA declined to perform additional air quality analyses that EPA needed to determine the extent of state compliance; (4) local planning agencies did not inform EPA of changes in project plans that could have affected air quality; (5) FHwA officials believed that project traffic forecasts did not show travel induced by new construction to be a significant causal factor for increased ozone pollution; and (6) the Department of Transportation and EPA needed better information on implementing transportation control measures.

Status Legend:

More Info
  • Review Pending-GAO has not yet assessed implementation status.
  • Open-Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned, or actions that partially satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.
  • Closed-implemented-Actions that satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.
  • Closed-not implemented-While the intent of the recommendation has not been satisfied, time or circumstances have rendered the recommendation invalid.
    • Review Pending
    • Open
    • Closed - implemented
    • Closed - not implemented

    Recommendations for Executive Action

    Recommendation: The Administrator, EPA, should work with the Administrator, FHwA, to develop procedures for reporting on the status of major highway projects.

    Agency Affected: Environmental Protection Agency

    Status: Closed - Implemented

    Comments: Congress resolved the issue by requiring the relevant procedures as part of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990.

    Recommendation: The Administrator, EPA, should take actions to ensure the timely receipt of information on progress in implementing transportation control measures.

    Agency Affected: Environmental Protection Agency

    Status: Closed - Implemented

    Comments: Congress has addressed this issue in the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 by requiring that information on transportation plans and controls be developed and used in air quality decisionmaking.