Environmental Division
Environmental Services provides engineering and technical expertise in the built and natural environment for transportation project development. The Environmental Section provides services and tools for successful environmental stewardship and streamlining with expertise in natural and cultural resources, landscape architecture, and NEPA documentation.
The Environmental Section has knowledgeable staff with expertise in archaeology, landscape architecture, wetlands, water quality, noise, wildlife, historic architecture, threatened and endangered species, and NEPA. Environmental Services can assist Project Managers in developing EA/EIS/SES scopes of work and cost estimates. The Environmental staff also actively participates as project team members, reviews all EA/EIS/SES documents and coordinates environmental issues with FHWA and other agencies.
Contact Information
Team Members
Brandon Weston
Director of Environmental Services
801-965-4603
brandonweston@utah.gov
Tyler Allen
Environmental Program Manager
801-997-0080
tylerallen@utah.gov
Naomi Kisen
Environmental Program Manager
801-965-4005
nkisen@utah.gov
Carissa Watanabe
Environmental Program Manager
503-939-3798
cwatanabe@utah.gov
Liz Robinson
Cultural Resources Program Manager
801-910-2035
lizrobinson@utah.gov
David Amott
Architectural Historian
801-971-4808
damott@utah.gov
Rod Hess
Senior Landscape Architect
801-830-9589
rhess@utah.gov
Matt Howard
Natural Resources Manager
801-965-4038
mattrhoward@utah.gov
Region Environmental Managers
Region One (Northern Utah including Davis and Weber Counties)
Chris Lizotte
Environmental Manager
801-620-1687
clizotte@utah.gov
Region Two (Salt Lake, Tooele and Summit Counties)
Dan Bolin
801-505-8214
dbolin@utah.gov
Region Three (Utah, Wasatch, Juab and Daggett Counties and the Uintah Basin)
Rich Crosland
801-830-9590
richardcrosland@utah.gov
Region Four (Southern and Central Utah)
Eric Hansen
435-772-6628
erichansen@utah.gov
Region Resource Specialists
Environmental Specialist, Region 1
801-620-1651
cmarchand@utah.gov
Ryan Halverson
Landscape Architect, Region 1
801-620-1624
rhalverson@utah.gov
Jon Dugmore
Archaeologist, Regions 1 and 2
385-414-2066
jdugmore@utah.gov
Vacant
Landscape Architect, Region 2
801-505-8214
dbolin@utah.gov
Rod Hess
Landscape Architect, Regions 3 and 4
801-830-9589
rhess@utah.gov
Ronald Steiner
NEPA Specialist, Region 4
541-808-7741
rlsteiner@utah.gov
Ellis Powelson
Archaeologist/NEPA Specialist, Region 4
801-362-9108
epowelson@utah.gov
NEPA Assignment
Pursuant to 23 U.S.C 326 and 23 U.S.C. 327, the UDOT has assumed the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), and all or part of the US Department of Transportation’s Secretary’s responsibilities for environmental review, consultation, or other actions required or arising under Federal environmental laws, with respect to the review or approval of highway projects within the State.
NEPA Assignment for EAs and EISs
Under 23 U.S.C. 327, the NEPA responsibilities have been assigned in the Memorandum of Understanding between the FHWA and the UDOT concerning the State of Utah’s Participation in the Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program Pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327, executed on May 26, 2022 (327 MOU).
Pursuant to UDOT’s Application to Assume FHWA’s NEPA Responsibilities, UDOT has assigned a Signatory Official from outside Environmental Services to ensure independent environmental decisions. The Signatory Official is responsible for signing Environmental Assessment decision documents, Draft and Final Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), Record of Decisions (RODs), and combined Final EIS/RODs. The UDOT Deputy Director of Planning & Investment is the Signatory Official responsible for signing the environmental documents stated above.
2022 Executed 327 NEPA Assignment MOU
UDOT 327 Renewal Package
NEPA Assignment for CEs
Under 23 U.S.C. 326, the NEPA responsibilities have been assigned in the Fifth Renewed Memorandum of Understanding between the FHWA, Utah Division and the UDOT, State Assumption of Responsibility for Categorical Exclusions executed on June 12, 2023.
Through the program, UDOT has assumed FHWA’s responsibilities for determining whether a project is categorically excluded from preparation of an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement, including approving decision documents, consulting directly with resource agencies, and complying with all applicable environmental regulations, policies, and guidance.
326 NEPA Assignment MOU
2023 Annual CE Report
Native American Consultation
UDOT is committed to being a good partner and has established the policy and supporting documentation below so that Native American tribal issues are addressed through regular and meaningful consultation with Utah’s Indian Tribes.
Native American Consultation
Section 106 Programmatic Agreements
UDOT has executed Programmatic Agreements with various agencies to streamline the cultural resources requirements for Section 106 on Federal Projects and for UAC 9-8-404 on non-Federal projects. These agreements are provided below along with the most recent annual report.