Statewide Environmental Office

NEPA Assignment

Alaska Assumes NEPA Responsibilities

Effective November 3, 2017, the DOT&PF has entered into the NEPA Assignment Program through an MOU with FHWA to assume responsibilities under NEPA and all or part of FHWA's responsibilities for environmental review, consultation, or other actions required under any Federal environmental law with respect to one or more Federal Highway projects within Alaska.

• Final Renewed, Alaska 327 MOU (2023)
• Alaska 327 Renewal Draft Renewal (2022)
• Alaska 327 Renewal Federal Register Notice (2023)
• DOT&PF 327 MOU
• DOT&PF 327 Amended MOU (2020)

Issue Brief: National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Assignment

The Surface Transportation Project Delivery Pilot Program, which was enacted under SAFETEA-LU, was made permanent under MAP-21 allowing states to assume NEPA authority. Alaska will apply for “Full NEPA Assignment” under 23 U.S.C. 327 to include Categorical Exclusions, Environmental Assessments, and Environmental Impact Statements and all other NEPA actions previously performed by FHWA. The assigned responsibilities are subject to the same procedural and substantive requirements as applied to FHWA.

DOT&PF NEPA Assignment Information:

• NEPA Assignment Roll-Out Presentation - October 2017
• DOT&PF 327 Renewal Application
• DOT&PF Application to Assume FHWA's NEPA Responsibilities (Submitted to FHWA July 12, 2016)
• United States Code, Chapter 23, Section 327 (23 U.S.C. 327)
• FHWA – Environmental Provisions and Related Information  
• MAP-21
• NEPA Assignment FAQ
• Alaska Final Audit Report 1 FR (2019)  
• Alaska Final Audit Report 2 FR (2020)
• Alaska Final Audit Report 3 FR (2023)

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