How has USDOTs role as Federal lead agency changed under SAFETEA-LU?
SAFETEA-LU strengthens the management and facilitation role of USDOT as the Federal lead agency during the environmental review process. USDOT, therefore, must perform the duties previously associated with the Federal lead agency and is responsible for the overall direction of the environmental review process and for expediting the delivery of the transportation project. Under Section 6002, USDOT, together with the other lead agency(ies), holds responsibility for deciding certain issues, including purpose and need, range of alternatives to be analyzed, and whether to develop the preferred alternative to a higher level of detail. At times, this role will require that USDOT take more proactive and assertive actions than in the past to facilitate the timely and adequate completion of the environmental review process. Such actions may include enforcing schedules (where applicable), facilitating resolution of issues, or appropriately asserting itself in other ways to ensure that the environ
