Bill Malley and Joanna Thies Co-Author Report on the Use of Tiered Environmental Impact Statements for Transportation Projects

Perkins Coie Partner Bill Malley and Associate Joanna Thies recently co-authored a report, "Guidelines on the Use of Tiered Environmental Impact Statements for Transportation Projects," which was published by the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Ann Koby and Jason Miles of Parsons Brinckerhoff, the engineering and consulting firm, also co-authored of the report. The report provides the first comprehensive study of tiered environmental impact statements prepared for highway, transit, and intercity passenger rail projects. It includes an in-depth discussion of the legal framework for preparing a tiered EIS; a summary of the state of the practice; key factors associated with successful tiered studies; potential strategies for anticipating and managing tiering-related risks; and an annotated checklist of issues to consider in deciding whether to undertake a tiered EIS for a transportation project. Perkins Coie lawyers have participated in preparing several high-profile tiered studies, including the tiered EIS for the I-69 highway project in Indiana.