Environmental Stewardship and Transportation Infrastructure Project Reviews

President Bush issued Executive Order 13274 on September 18, 2002 to enhance environmental stewardship and streamline the decision-making process in connection with major transportation projects. The EO instructs DOT to select priority projects and establishes an interagency Task Force to coordinate expedited decision-making across the federal agencies. While this Executive Order advances current Department of Transportation and interagency streamlining efforts, it also brings high-level officials to the table to address immediate issues and track the progress of particular projects. Establishing an interagency task force will further foster interagency coordination and collaboration. By working together in partnerships, agencies of the Federal Government can improve upon the decision- making process while safeguarding the environment.

"Too many transportation projects become mired for too long in the complex web of clearances required by Federal and State law. This initiative is intended to make our transportation investments more efficient, helping ease congestion and reduce pollution. The President's commitment to environmental stewardship is a key element of this measure. The interagency Task Force established from this Executive Order will promote common sense streamlining and responsible environmental stewardship in transportation projects."
U.S. Transportation Secretary, Norman Y. Mineta

"The President's Executive Order reinforces the goal of the FAA's environmental steamlining initiatives to balance tomorrow's urgent transportation needs with sound, practical environmental stewardship. The Secretary has frequently emphasized the common goals of efficiency, quality and full compliance in the environmental review process and the FAA has embedded these principles within our streamlining initiatives."
Federal Aviation Administrator, Marion C. Blakey

"The President's decision to issue this Executive Order provides us all with a new opportunity to engage our colleagues in other Federal agencies and in State, local, and tribal governments in enhancing how we do business so that transportation improvements are environmentally responsible and delivered in a timely fashion."
Federal Highway Administrator, Mary E. Peters

"President Bush's Executive Order reinforces our commitment to reduce the burden of congestion, and builds upon our ongoing efforts to streamline the project decision-making process. Equally significant, the President's initiative will strengthen transportation's environmental stewardship and assist in promoting Federal Transit's goal to ensure that public transit is a mode of choice in America."
Federal Transit Administrator, Jennifer L. Dorn