Bergen County and Essex County have joint jurisdiction of the Clay Street Bridge, however the bridge replacement is being federally funded. Any transportation projects receiving federal funding follow the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Bureau of Environmental Resources (BEPR) oversees this aspect of the project in cooperation with both Counties and NJTPA. They coordinate with the permitting agencies, such as NJDEP and NJSHPO (New Jersey State Historic Preservation Office), to develop a cohesive plan for proposed improvements. The agencies look carefully at comments from the public; therefore, community involvement is an important part of the environmental process and moving the project forward with consensus and environmental compliance.

The LCD Study Phase required the identification of any environmental concerns and to develop an environmental profile. When analyzing alternatives, the Project Team looked to avoid or minimize environmental impacts and, if that was not possible, then to provide mitigation. The environmental resources include air, noise, hazardous or contaminated sites, parks, wetlands, water resources, social and economic impacts, and cultural resources such as historic structures and facilities.

During the LPE Phase environmental and cultural resource studies will continue. The results of the environmental screening and cultural resource studies, which are part of the project schedule, are presented at the public meetings.

Environmental mitigation and permitting are part of the FD Phase.

The NJDOT Bureau of Environmental Program Resources oversees compliance with the principles or essential elements of NEPA compliance throughout the project delivery process, including:

• Environmental Resources screening map