Скачать или смотреть Infrastructure Permitting Assistance Through FAST 41: Benefits, Tools and Resources for Tribes

2024 Tribal EPA Region 9 Conference
October 22-24, 2024
San Jose, CA & Online

Abstract
Title 41 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST-41) charges the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council) with improving the transparency and predictability of the Federal environmental review and authorization process. Included in these responsibilities and in alignment with the Administration’s commitment to fulfilling the country’s trust and treaty responsibilities and desire to strengthen Tribal sovereignty and self-determination, the Permitting Council has prioritized tools, resources, and methods for elevating and facilitating Tribes’ critical role in infrastructure development. This session will provide an overview of FAST-41 and how it can support Tribal engagement in projects as well as improve the permitting process for Tribal-sponsored projects. It will also discuss the Permitting Council’s $5 million investment in the Environmental Review Improvement Fund Tribal Assistance Program (ERIF TAP), which supports capacity building (e.g., technical training, survey equipment, reimbursing cultural experts, staffing and more) for Tribal governments to meaningfully participate in environmental reviews and consultations, ensuring a more meaningful seat at the table during the environmental review process.

Speakers
Eric Beightel serves as the Executive Director of the Permitting Council. As Executive Director, Beightel assists Permitting Council member agencies in managing a portfolio of nearly $50 billion in large-scale infrastructure projects across industry sectors. Executive Director Beightel assists federal agencies in developing and implementing comprehensive, project-specific timetables for all required infrastructure permitting reviews and authorizations for FAST-41 covered projects, advancing the administration's goal to build innovative and transformative once-in-a-generation infrastructure. A nationally recognized expert in the environmental and infrastructure fields, Beightel brings more than 20 years of experience to the Permitting Council, including significant time spent in federal service. Beightel's extensive public and private sector experience honed his capacity for solving complex environmental permitting problems on the local, state and national level.