Responsibilites

• The purpose and objective of the meeting will be clearly stated by the NCDOT Project Team Member on the agenda sheet. This information is provided to the Concurrence Meeting Coordinator by the NCDOT Project Team Member prior to distribution of the meeting agendas. Informational meetings are acceptable and will be noted as such on the agenda.
• The NCDOT Project Team Member is responsible for appointing a timekeeper to ensure participants are aware of remaining time.
• The NCDOT Project Team Member is responsible for bringing copies of NEPA documents to project team meetings.
• The NCDOT Project Team Member is responsible for ensuring that technical information is presented in a clear manner.

  Such information will be easy to understand and easy to view by all Project Team Members.

• At the conclusion of each project team meeting, the NCDOT Project Team Member is responsible for informing the Project Team of the tentative schedule for the next steps/concurrence point.
• If the "Agency's preferred alternative" is FHWA's or NCDOT's only choice, the FHWA Project Team Member or NCDOT Project Team Member is responsible for explaining why.
• The NCDOT Hydraulics Engineer responsible for CP 4B & 4C is responsible for adding the NCDOT PDEA Project Team Member from CP1 through CP4A to the CP 4b & 4C meeting distribution lists, and providing the PDEA Project Team Member with hydraulic review (4B/4C) information packets prior to the 4B & 4C meetings.
• The NCDOT Project Team Member is responsible for taking notes and preparing meeting minutes.

• The USACE Project Team Member is responsible for chairing the meeting.
  • The Chair is responsible for starting meetings on time.
  • The Chair is responsible for playing an active role to promote participation.
  • The Chair is responsible for managing the discussion to keep focus.
  • The Chair is responsible for leading the team through the agenda.
  • The Chair is responsible for ensuring that non-agenda discussions are placed in a "parking lot".
• At the conclusion of each Project Team meeting, the Chair is responsible for summarizing next steps (i.e., additional information needed for concurrence or next concurrence point).

• Agencies are responsible for ensuring meeting attendance.
  • Project Team Members are responsible for arriving on time to project team meetings.
  • Project Team Members are responsible for bringing their information packets with them to the meeting.
• Merger participants will abide by the Code of Conduct.
• Project Team Members will be responsible for ensuring they are empowered to represent their agencies and make decisions.

  Project Team Members are responsible for making decision based on their agency's authorities.

• Project Team Members are responsible for not revisiting concurrence point decisions unless new, substantial information is brought to light.
• Project Team Members are responsible for identifying concerns regarding predictive methodology (e.g. traffic projections) and describe the alternative methodology preferred and why.
• Project Team Members who object to or express reservations about the proposal on grounds of environmental impacts shall specify the avoidance and minimization measures considered necessary to allow the agency to grant or approve applicable permit, license, or related requirements or concurrences.
• Project Team Members may request additional information in advance of Project Team Meetings if the information being provided in accordance with Appendix A of the Merger Process Guidance is insufficient. Such requests will be in writing.
  • Requests for additional information shall be as specific as possible and may address either the adequacy of the statement or the merits of the alternatives discussed or both, and shall explain why the information provided in accordance with Appendix A is insufficient.
  • An agency shall specify in its comments whether it needs additional information to fulfill other applicable environmental reviews or consultation requirements and what information it needs. In particular, it shall specify any additional information it needs to comment adequately on the draft statement's analysis of significant site-specific effects associated with the granting or approving by that cooperating agency of necessary Federal permits, licenses, or entitlements.
• If an organization decides to either non-concur or abstain, that organization will indicate such by a statement on the concurrence form, and will sign the statement. The organization is responsible for documenting its reasons in writing provide it to all Project Team Members within 5 business days of the Project Team meeting. Primary agencies are responsible for reviewing the reasons for abstaining to determine if the process should move forward.

The Project Team Leaders are responsible for determining how to address/resolve "parking lot" issues.