DRMP’s strength as a multidiscipline firm is the ability to keep critical services connected under one roof, helping clients move projects forward more efficiently, with fewer handoffs and stronger coordination. That includes our Project Development and Environmental Services (PDES) team, which delivers comprehensive Project Development and Environment (PD&E) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) services in-house throughout the Southeast.
As part of DRMP’s continued growth in this service line, the firm is focused on building a multi-state, full-service team of PD&E/NEPA experts in all service areas to better serve clients and support increasingly complex transportation and infrastructure needs.
With PD&E/NEPA expertise working closely alongside planning, engineering, and design disciplines, DRMP helps streamline project delivery, strengthen communication, and maintain continuity from concept through final design and permitting.
A key benefit of PD&E/NEPA services is the direct collaboration they require with clients, public agencies, and stakeholders throughout the project. This frequent engagement creates valuable “face time” that helps build strong working relationships, improve communication, and support solutions that move major transportation projects toward approval.
All federally funded transportation and improvement projects require a PD&E/NEPA study to meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act, which was signed into law in 1970. Often called the “Magna Carta” of environment laws, NEPA requires federal agencies to assess the environmental impacts of a project and disclose those effects to the public before any design decisions can be made.
A PD&E study is The Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) procedure for complying with NEPA. Florida is the only state to use the term PD&E for its NEPA process. All other states use the term NEPA study or process. In Florida, PD&E applies to both state and federally funded projects and includes its own additional requirements.
The PD&E/NEPA Process
NEPA grew out of increased public appreciation and concern for the physical and human environments in the 1960s. It ensures federal and state agencies consider the impacts of their planning and decision-making and mandates they create or maintain an environment in which humans and nature can co-exist.
PD&E/NEPA studies consider what impacts a project will have on four environments: natural (wetlands, wildlife), human (community, relocation, justice impacts), physical (noise, contamination) and cultural (parks, archaeological, and historic resources).
Before a federally funded transportation project can move into design, it must meet the requirements of NEPA and also include the development and evaluation of multiple reasonable alternatives. These alternatives are presented and carefully considered to ensure decision-makers understand the full range of potential solutions, along with their respective environmental, community, and engineering impacts.
The PD&E/NEPA process is the link between the planning and design phase. The planning phase is the first step in project development and involves the agency and public working together to identify problem areas in transportation systems. The PD&E/NEPA process dives deeper into the development of each specific project that emerges from the planning process.
During the PD&E/NEPA phase, DRMP’s experts determine how a proposed project will affect a community – specifically whether it will disproportionately impact underserved communities, cause noise disruptions, impact wetlands, waterways, aquatic species, wildlife, or any historic sites or landmarks.
Many studies, including traffic, noise, environmental, and cultural, must be conducted throughout the PD&E/NEPA process to determine impacts. These studies can take 18 to 30 months depending on project complexity and public reception.
Challenges of PD&E/NEPA
The PD&E/NEPA process involves comprehensive environmental evaluations, coordination with local, state, and federal agencies, data mining, public input, and engineering analysis to comply with NEPA.
Public involvement is also a critical and sometimes challenging component of the process, particularly when proposed projects have direct impacts on communities. Every study includes a “no-build” alternative, along with other options. While not every project moves forward, many are essential to addressing traffic congestion, improving safety, and modernizing aging transportation infrastructure.
DRMP’s PD&E/NEPA professionals bring extensive experience throughout multiple Southeastern states, including Georgia and Mississippi, providing a strong understanding of varying state-specific policies and procedures. For example, Florida requires a professional engineer (PE) to administer PD&E studies, while Georgia does not. In addition, Georgia often allows NEPA requirements to be completed in conjunction with project design, whereas Florida typically conducts PD&E as a distinct phase following planning.
This depth of regional experience supports better-informed decision-making and more efficient project delivery, helping clients navigate complex requirements and move forward with transportation projects with confidence.
