The Capital Improvement Plan Environmental Assessment Process

Abstract

This report contains one explicit mention of Waller Creek and how a Convention Center 66" Water Transmission Line Relocation resulted in a recommendation for the restoration of Waller Creek banks.This report outlines the current requirements for Environmental Assessments (EAs) performed for compliance with the City of Austin Land Development Code (LDC) as they are applied in City Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) projects. Much of this information is not currently documented in either the Environmental Criteria Manual (ECM) or other material readily available to Public Works Project Managers. An overview of the Environmental Assessment process is provided along with the goals for CIP assessments, methods for review and completion of assessments, and recommendations for improving the City processes. Attachments to this report include pertinent LDC citations, the form in use for project identification, a suggested process for conducting and reviewing assessments a scope of work for staff or consultants performing assessments, and photographic summaries of critical environmental features to be protected in accordance with the LDC in City as well as private projects. Also, a flowchart of the EA review process and a brief summary of assessments of past projects are included in the attachments. The information is provided as a precursor to the expansion of the current ECM section on Environmental Assessments in Section 1.3.0 and for consideration by the Public Works Department and other Project Managers for early review of environmental impacts, leading to better CIP projects..Waller Creek Working Grou