The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) and Federal Highway Administration – Kentucky
Division (FHWA) have designed and implemented Guidance and Accountability Forms (GAF) to
be used during the development of base studies prepared for projects being evaluated under
either an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The forms
are a result of a coordinated effort between the agencies to improve the quality and
consistency of the environmental reports. The purpose of the GAF is to clearly document
the expectations of the KYTC and FHWA with regard to the content of base study reports and
environmental assessment documents.
 
GAF have been developed for thirteen study areas: Air Quality, Cultural/Historic,Archaeology,
Aquatic Studies, Terrestrial Studies, Biological Assessment, Noise,Socioeconomic, UST/Hazardous
Materials, Environmental Assessment, Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), Draft Environmental
Impact Statements (DEIS) and Final Environmental Impact Statements (FEIS). A GAF for the Record
of Decision (ROD) document will be developed and released soon.
 
The forms are designed for signature and submittal by the prime consultant for the project. The
GAF consist of a checklist of items that must be addressed in the subject report. The GAF also
require the identification of any commitments for future activities or investigation, any mitigation
that may be required and any other special issues that should be brought to the attention of the
Project Team as the project is advanced. Once a report is accepted by KYTC-DEA reviewers, the GAF
and report are sent to the District Environmental Coordinator and the District Project Manager for
their signatures.
 
Other Guidance