Roles

Agency Roles define high-level responsibilities. Agency Roles can differ depending upon the nature of the federal involvement.

Federal Lead Agency
The Federal Lead Agency is the agency preparing or having taken primary responsibility for preparing the environmental document. Where federal-aid funding is anticipated, the U.S. Department of Transportation (FHWA) shall be the Federal lead agency in the environmental review process for a project. Where no federal-aid funding is anticipated, the USACE will normally be the lead agency.

Joint Lead Agency
More than one agency can be a "Joint Lead Agency". Any project sponsor that is a State or local governmental entity receiving funds under Title 23 US Code or chapter 53 of Title 49 US Code for the project shall serve as a joint lead agency with the USDOT for purposes of preparing any environmental document under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and may prepare any such environmental document required in support of any action or approval by the Secretary if the Federal lead agency furnishes guidance in such preparation and independently evaluates such document and the document is approved and adopted by the Secretary prior to the Secretary taking any subsequent action or making any approval based on such document, whether or not the Secretary's action or approval results in Federal funding.

Cooperating Agency
"Cooperating agency" means any Federal agency other than a lead agency which has jurisdiction by law or special expertise with respect to any environmental impact involved in a proposal (or a reasonable alternative) for legislation or other major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.

Federal Participating Agency
"Federal Participating Agency" means any Federal agency (other than a lead agency) which has jurisdiction or authority with respect to the project, has expertise or information relevant to the project, and intends to submit comments on the project.

Non-Federal Participating Agency
"Non-Federal Participating Agency" means any agency (other than a joint lead agency) which has jurisdiction or authority with respect to the project, has expertise or information relevant to the project, and intends to submit comments on the project.

Merger 01 Roles

Primary MOU Signatory Agencies
The agencies identified as primary signatories are responsible for the successful implementation of the Merger 01 process.

Partnering MOU Signatory Agencies
The agencies identified as partnering signatories participate in the Merger 01 process.

Project Team Roles

Project Team Leader Roles

• The USACE, NCDENR, NCDOT and FHWA (when applicable) Project Team Members jointly lead the Project Team.
• The NCDOT Project Team Member is responsible for administering the elevation process.

Chair Roles

• The USACE Project Team Member serves as the Chair of the Project Team meeting.
• The Chair leads the Project Team meeting.

Project Team Member Roles

• Project Team Members work in a collaborative problem solving spirit.
• Project Team Members will assist NCDOT in satisfying NEPA and Clean Water Act requirements.
• Project Team Members represent their own agency.
• Project Team Members make decisions based on the mission and authority of their agency.
• Project Team Members may either concur or non-concur, or, in exceptional cases, they may abstain.

Facilitator (when utilized) Role

• The Facilitator is a neutral party who provides structure and process to interactions so the Project Team is able to function effectively and make decisions.
• Project Team Members may either concur or non-concur, or, in exceptional cases, they may abstain.

Recorder Role

• The Recorder takes minutes of the meeting.
• Project Team Members may either concur or non-concur, or, in exceptional cases, they may abstain.

Support Staff Roles

• Support Staff provide information to the team.
• Support Staff do not participate in written concurrence.
• Project Team Members may either concur or non-concur, or, in exceptional cases, they may abstain.