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Caltrans > SER >Other Guidance

Last Updated: Thursday, February 2, 2012 3:11 PM

Other Guidance

Tract Housing in California, 1945-1973: A Context for National Register Evaluation. (August 2011)

Caltrans staff and consultants preparing compliance documents under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act are encouraged to use this document for the survey and evaluation of post-World War II houses and housing tracts. Download the pdf file (21.1 MB).

Alternatives Analysis - Frequently Asked Questions

The Division of Environmental Analysis (DEA) has developed the "Alternatives Analysis Frequently Asked Questions" to provide guidance on the development of alternatives, including requirements for NEPA documents, requirements for CEQA documents, when avoidance alternatives are required, the difference between a design option and an alternative, and other important considerations.

Guidance on Incorporating Sea Level Rise

This guidance provides a framework for determining when and how to address sea level rise impacts on the Department's projects during the planning and project initiation phases.

Tracking FESA Consultations and Automatic Elevation Procedures.

This guidance outlines automatic elevation procedures.

Dispute Resolution Process with FWS for Section 7.

This guidance is for the dispute resolution process flowchart and elevation ladder.

Guidance for Preparers of Cumulative Impact Analysis.

This guidance recommends practical and flexible approaches for identifying cumulative impacts and preparing sound cumulative impact analyses for surface transportation projects in California. An introduction and three issue papers are also part of the guidance.

Guidance for Preparers of Growth-related, Indirect Impact Analyses.

This guidance for preparers of growth-related, indirect impact analyses includes the introductory information and five additional chapters: Regulatory Framework and Definitions; Land Use, Transportation and Growth; Key Concepts for Growth-related Impact Analyses; Making the First Cut; and, Performing the Analysis.

Environmental Commitments Record.

This memo requires each District to create and maintain an Environmental Commitments Record. Actually, all Districts are already supposed to have some project record of environmental commitments, but this memo clarifies what we all should be doing. Note that neither a specific form nor due date has been dictated, but an expectation as to standards has been made. Examples of Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Record (MMRR) and Permits, Agreements, and Mitigation (PAM) forms are available for download.

Mitigation in Areas with Habitat Conservation Plans.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has released a memo on "Mitigation in Areas with Habitat Conservation Plans" on December 3, 2004. In this memo, FHWA clarifies the guidance pertaining to the cost of mitigation on approved conservation plans.

Programmatic biological opinion based on FHWA's minor transportation projects.

This memo issued by the Fish and Wildlife Service describes the Programmatic Biological Opinion on the Effects of Minor Transportation Projects on the San Joaquin Kit Fox, Giant Kangaroo Rat, Tipton Kangaroo Rat, Blunt-nosed Leopard Lizard, California Jewelflower, San Joaquin Woolly-threads, Bakersfield Cactus, and Recommendations for the San Joaquin Antelope Squirrel.

Purpose and Need Report.

The Team's Final Report examines ways to improve the process of preparing well-defined purpose and need statements for transportation projects. For additional information on Purpose and Need, click here.

Environmental Compliance in case of emergency.

In cases of natural disasters, Environmental professionals need to know "What is an Emergency for Environmental Compliance Purposes?", "What Type of Environmental Document is Needed for Emergency Repairs?" and other important issues. For more information, click here, and here for DD-26-R2 "Use of Director's Orders" regarding contracts and emergency projects.

Inferred Presence of Federally Listed Species (FHWA - CA Division)

A document template was released for inferring presence of federally listed species based on the best available scientific evidence. There must be a supportable and reasonable expectation that a species is present in the project area and will be affected by the work. Download the memo . Download the template.

Environmental Justice Document Checklist and Guidance (FHWA - CA Division)

The checklist and guidance are the tools that are recommended by the FHWA - California Division to be used for performing the Environmental Justice analysis in environmental documents. Download the PDF file

Visual Impact Assessment for Highway Projects (FHWA-HI-88-054)

This FHWA publication is currently not available from the FHWA web site. Download the PDF file (Warning - large file - 6.5 MB).

Disposal Site Quality Team Final Report.

This report addresses Caltrans and FHWA policies on disposal, staging, and borrow areas, including plant sites, contractor yards, and access roads. Download the PDF file (Warning - large file - 18 MB). The team recommended a new policy and modification of existing guidance.

General Guidelines for Identifying and Evaluating Historic Landscapes

This document was prepared to assist those who encounter potential historic landscapes in the course of conducting environmental studies for transportation projects. The guidelines focus on recognizing, describing, and recording historic landscapes; evaluating them for eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places and the California Register of Historical Resources; assessing project effects; and treating eligible historic landscapes that may be wholly or partially included within a transportation project's designated Area of Potential Effects (APE). The guidance is based on documents prepared by the National Park Service (NPS), particularly the National Register bulletins which provide technical information on identifying and evaluating landscapes for the National Register of Historic Places; Preservation Brief No. 36, "Protecting Cultural Landscapes"; and the journal CRM's "Thematic Issue on the Preservation of Cultural Landscapes." (February 1999 - This document replaces the November 1996 version.) Download the PDF file (117 KB).

Water Conveyance Systems in California, Historic Context Development and Evaluation Procedures

The Water Conveyance System study provides a broad overview of the history and development by private companies, corporations, and individuals of the state's waters. Water development in California occurred during Missionization and greatly accelerated during the California Gold Rush when mountain streams were impounded and canals and ditches were constructed to provide water for mining during the hot, dry summers. During the 1880s irrigation companies were formed and California's agricultural systems began to rely upon a year-round supply of water for row crops and orchards. By the 20th Century the state embarked on massive reclamation projects involving moving water from the north to the south and from the Colorado River west into Southern California. Today, water still remains a contentious issue as municipalities and farmers compete for this valuable natural resource. (December 2000) Download the PDF file (Warning - large file - 9.1 MB)

A Historical Context and Archaeological Research Design for Agricultural Properties in California

The first of several Caltrans efforts to improve the quality of historical archaeological studies in California. Caltrans staff and consultants working under Section 106 regulations on Caltrans projects are encouraged to use this document as a streamlining tool for evaluation of agricultural properties under Criterion D of the National Register. Researchers should draw upon the identified research themes to determine specific issues and questions that may be relevant to a site under evaluation. The historic context will also be useful to historians and architectural historians evaluating built environment properties. Download the pdf file (20,835 KB)

A Historical Context and Archaeological Research Design for Mining Properties in California

The second of several Caltrans efforts to improve the quality of historical archaeological studies in California. Caltrans staff and consultants working under Section 106 regulations on Caltrans projects are encouraged to use this document as a streamlining tool for evaluation of mining properties under Criterion D of the National Register. Researchers should draw upon the identified research themes to determine specific issues and questions that may be relevant to a site under evaluation. The historic context will also be useful to historians and architectural historians evaluating built environment properties. Download the PDF file (14,598 KB)

A Historical Context and Archaeological Research Design for Townsite Properties in California

The third of several Caltrans efforts to improve the quality of historical archaeological studies in California. Caltrans staff and consultants working under Section 106 regulations on Caltrans projects are encouraged to use this document as a streamlining tool for evaluation of townsite properties under Criterion D of the National Register. Researchers should draw upon the identified research themes to determine specific issues and questions that may be relevant to a site under evaluation. The historic context will also be useful to historians and architectural historians evaluating built environment properties. Download the PDF file (32,726 KB)

Index for California Highways & Public Works Magazine

Though no longer published, the California Highways & Public Works Magazine (available in many libraries and universities) has been a useful reference for those researching various aspects of California's transportation history. For the first time, a comprehensive index for the years 1937-1967 has been created.