Federal Highway Administration, Region 4

NEPA Reviewer

FHWA Survey of Transportation Agencies

Rating Processes With Resource Agencies

Prepared by: The Gallup Organization

September 2007

Report Id: 100014.6

Introduction
Index Comparison
Relationship
Communication
Timliness
Performance
General
Problems

Introduction

The following pages provide a summary of responses to the Gallup/FHWA Survey of Resource Agencies. Respondents were asked to rate a recent project with a Transportation agency, so the data reflect the views of Resource agencies toward those projects with Transportation agencies. The survey statements were generally rated on a scale which required a response from among six response categories. The statement or dimension averages are based on a 5-point scale, with "1" being the lowest possible average and "5" being the highest average. "Does Not Apply" or "Don't Know" responses are not scored.

The FHWA Resource Agency Scorecard provides feedback on how the region is doing with regards to NEPA processes as compared to the "best practice" or highest scoring region for each survey item. Note the following term definitions:

Index: The average top two box response percentages for statements measuring each category of survey items (Relationship, Communication, Timeliness, Performance, General, and Problems).

Top Two Box: The percentage of "5" and "4" responses.

Best Practice Region: The region with the highest percentage of top two box responses.

Region 1: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont.

Region 2: New Jersey, New York.

Region 3: Delaware, Washington D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia.

Region 4: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee.

Region 5: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin.

Region 6: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas.

Region 7: Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska.

Region 8: Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming.

Region 9: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada.

Region 10: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington.

The lists of transportation and resource reviewers for both 2003 and 2006 were generated by Gallup based on information that existed at the time the surveys were undertaken. It is understood that although they may not represent the entire population of transportation and resource reviewers, they both represent the best list of reviewers that could be constructed. In the absence of any other lists to represent these populations, these lists were treated as the target population for this study. Results based on the data presented in this report, therefore, relate to these lists only and may not be generalizable to any other population of transportation and resource reviewers. For further details on list construction and methodology used for this study, please refer to Technical Notes in the Final Report.

Index Comparison

The unit, Region 4, had a total N of 70.

Index Values

	2006 % Top Two Box	2003 % Top Two Box
Relationship	71	69
Communication	65	66
Timeliness	57	65
Performance	63	66
General	63	62
Problems

Region Comparison % Top Two Box for the Relationship index.

	2006 % Top Two Box	2003 % Top Two Box
Region 1	55	65
Region 2	62	51
Region 3	63	61
Region 4	71	62
Region 5	77	70
Region 6	71	66
Region 7	52	69
Region 8	60	58
Region 9	50	55
Region 10	54	59

Region Comparison % Top Two Box for the Communication index.

	2006 % Top Two Box	2003 % Top Two Box
Region 1	52	64
Region 2	55	47
Region 3	66	57
Region 4	65	62
Region 5	74	66
Region 6	66	65
Region 7	51	66
Region 8	62	54
Region 9	45	49
Region 10	49	64

Region Comparison % Top Two Box for the Timeliness index.

	2006 % Top Two Box	2003 % Top Two Box
Region 1	47	56
Region 2	53	54
Region 3	55	60
Region 4	57	57
Region 5	73	62
Region 6	67	51
Region 7	45	65
Region 8	66	53
Region 9	44	51
Region 10	50	63

Region Comparison % Top Two Box for the Performance index.

	2006 % Top Two Box	2003 % Top Two Box
Region 1	55	65
Region 2	62	51
Region 3	63	61
Region 4	71	62
Region 5	77	70
Region 6	71	66
Region 7	52	69
Region 8	60	58
Region 9	50	55
Region 10	54	59

Region Comparison % Top Two Box for the General index.

	2006 % Top Two Box	2003 % Top Two Box
Region 1	52	64
Region 2	55	47
Region 3	66	57
Region 4	65	62
Region 5	74	66
Region 6	66	65
Region 7	51	66
Region 8	62	54
Region 9	45	49
Region 10	49	64

Relationship

Relationship Index % Top Two Box

The unit, Region 4, had a score of 71.

The unit, Region 4, had a past data score of 69.

Question 6A.

The following scores apply to the question 6A, My agency knew what was expected of it in this process.

The Best Practice Region for question 6A is Region 5.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	68	0	6	12	43	40	4.16	4.41
Best Practice Region	51	0	4	6	43	47	4.33

Question 6B.

The following scores apply to the question 6B, The resource agency provided my agency with the materials, information, or documentation that we needed.

The Best Practice Region for question 6B is Region 5.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	66	5	9	11	39	36	3.94	4
Best Practice Region	51	4	6	12	39	39	4.04

Question 6D.

The following scores apply to the question 6D, The resource agency wanted to play an active role in the process.

The Best Practice Region for question 6D is Region 4.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	66	0	3	15	35	47	4.26	4.18
Best Practice Region	66	0	3	15	35	47	4.26

Question 6E.

The following scores apply to the question 6E, My agency's opinions seemed to count in the permitting process.

The Best Practice Region for question 6E is Region 5.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	63	3	6	21	40	30	3.87	4.05
Best Practice Region	48	2	8	8	33	48	4.17

Question 6F.

The following scores apply to the question 6F, The resource agency felt mission of project was important.

The Best Practice Region for question 6F is Region 5.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	64	2	5	27	36	31	3.91	3.87
Best Practice Region	48	6	4	10	42	38	4

Question 6G.

The following scores apply to the question 6G, The resource agency helped to move this project forward.

The Best Practice Region for question 6G is Region 5.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	69	6	10	17	36	30	3.75	3.74
Best Practice Region	50	8	6	10	38	38	3.92

Question 6H.

The following scores apply to the question 6H, The resource agency made efforts to improve the process during this project.

The Best Practice Region for question 6H is Region 6.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	65	3	12	32	28	25	3.58	3.3
Best Practice Region	54	7	17	19	35	22	3.48

Communication

Communication Index % Top Two Box

The unit, Region 4, had a score of 65.

The unit, Region 4, had a past data score of 66.

Question 7B.

The following scores apply to the question 7B, Responded in a timely way to our requests.

The Best Practice Region for question 7B is Region 5.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	68	3	9	21	28	40	3.93	3.83
Best Practice Region	51	8	4	14	39	35	3.9

Question 7C.

The following scores apply to the question 7C, Invited our participation in key meetings.

The Best Practice Region for question 7C is Region 8.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	53	2	9	21	25	43	3.98	3.67
Best Practice Region	27	4	7	19	22	48	4.04

Question 7D.

The following scores apply to the question 7D, Kept us informed of their progress.

The Best Practice Region for question 7D is Region 8.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	64	3	13	31	27	27	3.61	3.26
Best Practice Region	47	2	6	38	19	34	3.77

Question 7E.

The following scores apply to the question 7E, Was open and honest with us.

The Best Practice Region for question 7E is Region 5.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	68	3	3	13	35	46	4.18	4.24
Best Practice Region	49	0	2	8	39	51	4.39

Question 7F.

The following scores apply to the question 7F, Was open to our suggestions or alternatives.

The Best Practice Region for question 7F is Region 5.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	68	3	7	25	43	22	3.74	3.79
Best Practice Region	46	4	7	11	33	46	4.09

Question 7G.

The following scores apply to the question 7G, Gave reasonable suggestions or alternatives.

The Best Practice Region for question 7G is Region 5.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	66	3	11	27	36	23	3.65	3.77
Best Practice Region	46	2	13	15	43	26	3.78

Question 7H.

The following scores apply to the question 7H, Gave clear explanations if they did not agree with our recommendations.

The Best Practice Region for question 7H is Region 5.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	58	5	10	28	29	28	3.64	3.81
Best Practice Region	39	0	8	13	56	23	3.95

Question 7I.

The following scores apply to the question 7I, Was willing to compromise.

The Best Practice Region for question 7I is Region 5.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	57	7	18	28	26	21	3.37	3.58
Best Practice Region	38	5	5	13	50	26	3.87

Question 7J.

The following scores apply to the question 7J, Had adequate participation at key meetings.

The Best Practice Region for question 7J is Region 5.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	63	3	2	19	37	40	4.08	3.97
Best Practice Region	43	2	7	12	30	49	4.16

Question 7K.

The following scores apply to the question 7K, Overall, there was a sufficient level of communication between the two agencies on this project.

The Best Practice Region for question 7K is Region 5.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	69	1	6	14	43	35	4.04	4.05
Best Practice Region	51	2	4	12	37	45	4.2

Timliness

Timliness Index % Top Two Box

The unit, Region 4, had a score of 57.

The unit, Region 4, had a past data score of 65.

Question 8A.

The following scores apply to the question 8A, Adhered to schedules that were set throughout the process.

The Best Practice Region for question 8A is Region 5.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	62	5	8	31	29	27	3.66	3.85
Best Practice Region	46	2	11	11	37	39	4

Question 8B.

The following scores apply to the question 8B, Gave your agency enough time to accomplish tasks.

The Best Practice Region for question 8B is Region 4.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	62	0	5	15	42	39	4.15	4.26
Best Practice Region	62	0	5	15	42	39	4.15

Question 8C.

The following scores apply to the question 8C, The entire process took a reasonable amount of time.

The Best Practice Region for question 8C is Region 5.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	68	13	12	24	31	21	3.34	3.83
Best Practice Region	48	6	4	15	38	38	3.96

Question 8D.

The following scores apply to the question 8D, The process was the shortest it could have been without compromising NEPA.

The Best Practice Region for question 8D is Region 5.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	62	15	23	23	19	21	3.1	NA
Best Practice Region	49	8	8	22	29	33	3.69

Performance

Performance Index % Top Two Box

The unit, Region 4, had a score of 63.

The unit, Region 4, had a past data score of 66.

Question 9A.

The following scores apply to the question 9A, The quality of information provided to your agency

The Best Practice Region for question 9A is Region 5.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	62	3	6	21	37	32	3.89	4.05
Best Practice Region	49	0	2	20	53	24	4

Question 9B.

The following scores apply to the question 9B, The completeness of information they provided

The Best Practice Region for question 9B is Region 5.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	62	3	10	18	37	32	3.85	3.95
Best Practice Region	48	0	2	19	48	31	4.08

Question 9F.

The following scores apply to the question 9F, The level of resources they devoted to this project

The Best Practice Region for question 9F is Region 5.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	61	2	8	25	41	25	3.79	3.47
Best Practice Region	45	2	9	22	36	31	3.84

Question 9G.

The following scores apply to the question 9G, The range of reasonable alternatives they suggested for this project

The Best Practice Region for question 9G is Region 5.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	52	2	13	35	29	21	3.54	3.39
Best Practice Region	32	3	3	31	44	19	3.72

Question 9H.

The following scores apply to the question 9H, Their willingness to consider a range of mitigation measures

The Best Practice Region for question 9H is Region 5.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	56	4	4	30	34	29	3.8	3.78
Best Practice Region	40	3	3	15	45	35	4.08

General

General Index % Top Two Box

The unit, Region 4, had a score of 63.

The unit, Region 4, had a past data score of 62.

Question 11A.

The following scores apply to the question 11A, Understands your agency's mission.

The Best Practice Region for question 11A is Region 5.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	63	0	0	24	35	41	4.17	3.83
Best Practice Region	49	2	6	12	37	43	4.12

Question 11B.

The following scores apply to the question 11B, Cares about your agency's mission.

The Best Practice Region for question 11B is Region 5.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	60	7	10	35	27	22	3.47	3.46
Best Practice Region	48	4	10	17	46	23	3.73

Question 11C.

The following scores apply to the question 11C, Is committed to doing quality work.

The Best Practice Region for question 11C is Region 5.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	65	2	0	15	34	49	4.29	4.41
Best Practice Region	48	0	0	4	42	54	4.5

Question 11D.

The following scores apply to the question 11D, Has competent staff.

The Best Practice Region for question 11D is Region 5.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	64	0	5	17	44	34	4.08	4.26
Best Practice Region	50	0	4	8	48	40	4.24

Question 11E.

The following scores apply to the question 11E, There is a sufficient level of trust between your two agencies.

The Best Practice Region for question 11E is Region 5.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	64	6	8	30	28	28	3.64	3.5
Best Practice Region	50	2	4	26	40	28	3.88

Question 11F.

The following scores apply to the question 11F, Is committed to making the environmental review process run efficiently.

The Best Practice Region for question 11F is Region 5.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	64	6	8	22	39	25	3.69	3.61
Best Practice Region	49	8	4	18	39	31	3.8

Question 11G.

The following scores apply to the question 11G, Is willing to compromise.

The Best Practice Region for question 11G is Region 5.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	61	8	10	33	31	18	3.41	3.49
Best Practice Region	45	4	4	31	38	22	3.69

Question 11H.

The following scores apply to the question 11H, There is a sufficient level of communication between your two agencies.

The Best Practice Region for question 11H is Region 4.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	63	0	6	25	46	22	3.84	3.85
Best Practice Region	63	0	6	25	46	22	3.84

Question 11J.

The following scores apply to the question 11J, Is committed to transportation improvements.

The Best Practice Region for question 11J is Region 6.

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	61	5	20	36	16	23	3.33	3.44
Best Practice Region	60	3	17	30	38	12	3.38

Problems

Question 1.

The following scores apply to the question 1, Overall, how satisfied were you with the agency's performance on this project?

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	70	6	6	20	30	39	3.9	3.78

Question 2.

The following scores apply to the question 2, Did you experience any problems during the project?

	2006 sample size	2006 % yes	2003 sample size	2003 % yes
Region 4	69	28	41	32

Question 3A through 3H.

The following scores apply to the questions 3A through 3H, At what stage of the process did the problem or problems occur? (Items 3A through 3H show actual numbers, not percentages.)

	2006 yes	2003 yes
3A. Early project planning or scoping	2	4
3B. Defining purpose and need	3	4
3C. Information or data collection	7	7
3D. Development and analysis of alternatives	5	7
3E. Analysis of impacts	11	9
3F. Selection of preferred alternative	4	6
3G. Commitment to mitigation measures	10	3
3H. Finalizing documents or response to comments	11	7

Question 12.

The following scores apply to the question 12, Over the past three years, has your agency's overall relationship with the resource agency improved, stayed the same, or gotten worse?

	sample size	% gotten worse	% stayed the same	% improved
Region 4	62	10	29	61

Question 13.

The following scores apply to the question 13, In general, how would you rate the overall relationship between your agency and the resource agency?

	sample size	% 1 score	% 2 score	% 3 score	% 4 score	% 5 score	2006 mean score	2003 mean score
Region 4	63	3	3	22	46	25	3.87	3.78

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