1

The Construction Environmental

Coordinator Roles and Responsibilities

Construction Environmental Training Module

Bringing Environmental Stewardship to Transportation Construction Operations

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Training Objectives

Define the Construction Environmental

Coordinator (CEC)position.

Explain the history and origin.

Discuss the roles and responsibilities.

Examples of how we advance the

Departments Mission.

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NYSDOT/DPW History 1945 - Creation of Landscape Architecture group

within the Department of Public Works.

1960’s - Federal highway beautification efforts.

Early 1970’s – NEPA, CWA, CAA, ESA, etc.

Mid 1970’s - NYSDOT created Environmental

Analysis Bureau.

1992 - NYSDOT Mission statement revised to include

“Environmentally Sound”

1999 – NYSDOT Environmental Initiative (EI-99-026)

2001 – Created CEC and MEC Program

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The Environmental Puzzle

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An Innovative Approach

Developed CEC Program with input from

Operations, Planning, Construction and

Design

Scoured NYSDOT to obtain 11 qualified

mid-level staff for new positions.

Reclassified and assigned one new

position to each Regional Construction

Group

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CEC Definition

Mid-level managerial/technical positions

within NYSDOT Construction Groups.

Generally, report to Regional Construction

Engineer.

Help regional construction staff establish

environmental procedures and incorporate

best practices for environmentally sound

transportation projects.

Assist with Department emergencies.

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Some Key Concepts CEC are part of the Regional Construction Group.

Effectively Coordinate and Communicate with internal and

external stakeholders.

Facilitate information transfer to/from construction staff.

Provide solution oriented approaches to regulatory

requirements. Review permit documentation.

Assist staff with understanding of and compliance with

regulations and contract requirements.

Spend about 50 percent of time in-the-field, during

construction season, with staff at job sites or facilities.

Screen/review contractor submittals for regulatory

compliance.

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Roles and Responsibilities Identify customer and stakeholder needs.

Provide timely & technical advice and interpretation.

Develop programmatic solutions, e.g. guidance materials,

data collection, notes, regulatory points of contact, etc.

Develop and implement innovative stewardship practices

Review and comment on contract documents, permits and

programmatic guidance.

Provide training.

Coordinate with and provide feedback to other regional

groups and main office.

Emergency work scoping and regulatory coordination.

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Construction Facilitation Facilitate environmental

Interpretation / coordination

Field QA/QC of

environmental elements in

the contract documents

Assist with changed

conditions and contractor

submittals

Advance detailed plan

reviews

Environmental studies

Pre-construction Meetings

Training

Landscape architecture

consultation

Asbestos, contaminated

materials, Haz waste

Environmental initiatives

Review-Coordinate

Consultant Inspection

Emergency management

Emergency Regulatory

Processing

Promote a Department

environmental ethic

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Topic Areas of Expertise

Department Environmental Policy

Environmental Process, SEQR / NEPA

Regulatory Permitting

Training

Air / Noise

Hazardous Materials / Asbestos

Water / Ecology

Landscape Architecture Elements

Historic/Cultural Resources

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CEC Function: Facilitate Environmental

Interpretation/Coordination

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Field Resource for QA/QC of

Environmental Elements in

Contract Documents

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Response to changed conditions,

emergencies and unplanned work

locations

CEC Functions

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Advance Detailed Plan Reviews

Environmental Screenings

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Pre-Construction Meetings

Environmental commitments

Environmental obligations

Permits

Special notes

Details

Unusual contract conditions

Project permit schedule review

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Supervisor/EIC/Inspector Trainings BMP’s Disposal Surplus Materials

Permits

State Pollution Discharge Elimination

System (SPDES)

Contaminated Soils

Erosion and Sediment Controls

Lead Paint

Underground Storage Tanks

Migratory birds

Landscape Architecture Elements

Asbestos

EPA Manifests

Part 364 Hazardous waste

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

compliance

Topsoil

Petroleum Contaminated soils/sites

Part 360 solid waste management

Concrete Washouts

Bat Tree Removal Process

Cultural resources and Historic

Properties

Wetlands

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permits

Construction Project SPDES Notebook

Asbestos and Lead Paint on bridges

Emergency actions regulatory

processing

SEQR/NEPA

Invasive Plants

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Drilling Down Deeper – By Topic

SPDES – Storm Water❑ Project construction documentation

❑ Information Transfers to staff and contractor

❑ Specifications

❑ Plans

❑ Notes

❑ Regulatory requirements/permits

❑ Proposed contractor modifications

❑ Transfers to operations

❑ Feedback to designers

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The Bad

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The Ugly

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The Solutions

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CEC Function: Construction

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Asbestos,

Contaminated Materials, Haz waste

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Surplus Materials

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Environmental Initiatives

Identify opportunities Facilitate requests in construction Promote environmentally sound

construction practices

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Partnerships

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CEC Function: Building Partnerships

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Consultant Coordination

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Regulatory Construction

Coordination

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Emergency Regulatory Notifications

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NYSDOT MISSION

“It is the mission of the New York State Department of Transportation to ensure our customers - those who live, work and travel in New York State -- have a safe, efficient,

balanced and environmentally sound transportation system.”

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Thank You !

John FalgeConstruction Environmental Coordinator

NYSDOT Region 7, Watertown

John.falge@dot.ny.gov

Cell:(315) 681-3510 Desk: (315) 785-2343

Questions?

“The person who solves an environmental

problem you didn’t know you had in a way

you don’t need to understand”