Welcome to the OEL online Manual

Welcome to the Georgia Department of Transportation’s Environmental Procedures Manual. This manual will provide the project team (both environmentalists and design engineers) with adequate information so that projects can be developed in compliance with applicable Federal and State environmental laws. Adherence to the procedures outlined in this manual will assist in developing uniform, complete and quality environmental documents.

Environmental analysis is a critical element of determining how a project should be developed – environmental impacts are factored into the decisions made. The environmental document also publicly discloses this decision-making process. The manual approaches project advancement through an interdisciplinary effort requiring the involvement of a full complement of team members. Collaboration and communication amongst all team members (environmental and design) are critical for the successful advancement of a project. This manual cannot replace project team interaction.

The manual is divided into 11 chapters covering the range of required activities. Topics covered include a glossary of commonly used terms, early project activities, field surveys for environmental resources, assessment of project impacts, agency consultations and required documentation.

While many of these activities can occur concurrently, there are certain dependencies embedded in the process – specific activities that cannot proceed without the work of another team member being complete. For example, the design team cannot develop an alternative that minimizes harm to environmental resources until the findings of field surveys have been transmitted to the Project Manager. Similarly, the environmental team cannot assess project impacts and begin agency consultations until receipt of the least damaging alternative.

If you have any questions or comments concerning this manual, Gail A. D’Avino can be reached at 404-699-4457 or gd’avino@dot.ga.gov.

Regards,
Glenn Bowman, P.E.
State Environmental/Location Engineer