The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) today signed a new pact designed to establish a coordinated planning and development process for transportation projects. The goal of the Tennessee Environmental Streamlining Agreement is to ensure that the state’s vital transportation improvements can be implemented without unnecessary delays, while protecting and enhancing the quality of Tennessee’s environment.
TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely said "This will allow us to more quickly identify and resolve environmental concerns."
Resolve or circumvent?
On the other hand, it makes sense to incorporate environmental impact studies into the planning process, so we don't waste time and money on projects only to find out they are environmental disasters.
