AASHTO Comments on EPA’s Updated WOTUS Definition
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials recently provided comments to the Environmental Protection Agency regarding the EPA’s updated definition of Waters of the United States or WOTUS; expressing “the need for clear standards to determine the jurisdictional status of their stormwater and drainage assets, ensuring that the rule clearly excludes them from the regulatory requirements of WOTUS.”
[Above photo by the SCDOT]
“Although AASHTO recognizes the intention of the proposed rule to exclude roadside ditches and stormwater control features from the definition of WOTUS, we believe the proposed rule’s use of
hydrology, topography, soils, and precipitation conditions as a characteristic for the definition fails to resolve the uncertainty in the definition’s application,” the organization said in its letter.
“Use of terms such as, ‘wet season,’ ‘dry land,’ and ‘upland’ without further definition, context, or guidance presents circumstances for state departments of transportation that will disrupt planning, construction, operation, and maintenance of their systems.”
In previous comment letters on this subject, AASHTO said it recommended language for a WOTUS definition that would be both “appropriately protective of aquatic resources” and “straightforward” for state DOTs to understand and apply – and the lack of such language could create an additional burden for state DOTs, hampering project delivery.
“Each year, state DOTs invest hundreds of billions of dollars in expanding and improving their systems. Further, state DOT projects often must address safety and operational issues by relocating,
widening and shaping ditches, making these operations critical to highway safety,” AASHTO said. “These projects often take months to years to plan and budget, with budgets and schedules heavily dependent on environmental permitting and compliance certainties.”
AASHTO also stressed that when deploying federally funded transportation projects, the “layering” of various requirements over the years – as seen in WOTUS regulations – has resulted in “time-consuming reviews and back-and-forth interactions” that not only delay projects but also substantially add to their cost.
“We believe this [WOTUS] rulemaking represents an opportunity to improve the federal project delivery timeline for the sake of our communities who are waiting on these important projects to improve their quality of life,” the organization noted.
New Jersey Dredging Project Supports Habitat Enhancement
A side benefit of the latest channel dredging project overseen by the New Jersey Department of Transportation will result in shoreline stabilization and habitat enhancement for Boot Island; a barrier island near Atlantic City.
[Above photo by New Jersey DOT]
The $1.8 million Brigantine Channel Spur dredging project, conducted by New Jersey DOT contractor Mobile Dredging & Video Pipe Inc., will restore safe navigation to the Brigantine Channel Spur by lowering the channel’s authorized project depth down to five feet below mean low water.
The approximately 22,000 cubic yards removed as a result of that dredging work will then be transported via pipeline to improve Boot Island’s habitat: part of a series of coastal habitat restoration projects using Beneficial Use of Dredged Material or BUDM across three wildlife management areas in southern New Jersey.
[Editor’s note: New Jersey DOT has overseen several similar dredging projects along the Atlantic City coastline, including one to restore the St. George’s Thoroughfare in 2025.]
According to the New Jersey Department of Fish and Wildlife, those projects aim to enhance coastal resilience, restore degraded marsh habitats, and support both species of greatest conservation need and popular game species managed under the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration nexus through “nature-based solutions,” which includes BUDM.
In a statement, the New Jersey Department of Fish and Wildlife said BUDM repurposes clean sediment from navigation channels to restore degraded coastal habitats – particularly critical for New Jersey, as many saltmarshes are experiencing net habitat loss due to sea-level rise and erosion.
By strategically placing dredged sediment to raise marsh elevations, BUDM helps restore proper tidal inundation, promotes the growth of native saltmarsh vegetation, and enhances habitat resilience, the agency said.
Environmental News Highlights – January 7, 2025
Colorado DOT Completes I-25 Greenland Wildlife Overpass
The Colorado Department of Transportation recently completed construction of the new I-25 Greenland Wildlife Overpass near Larkspur, which is among North America’s largest wildlife overpasses; work that included covering the structure’s surface with dirt and vegetation.
[Above photo by the Colorado DOT]
Some 76 girders hold up the deck of this overpass – completed in less than a year, ahead of schedule and on budget – which spans six lanes of interstate traffic and connects 39,000 acres of habitat on both sides of I-25 between the towns of Larkspur and Monument.
Colorado DOT said more than 100,000 vehicles a day travel this area and that the wildlife expected to use this overpass include big game animals such as moose, bear, mountain lions, elk, mule deer, and pronghorn deer – along with smaller animals as well
A multi-agency partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Douglas County, the Douglas Land Conservancy and the Colorado Cattleman’s Agricultural Land Trust made the Greenland wildlife crossing possible. As part of the Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program, a federal grant award provided the bulk of the funding for the project, Colorado DOT said.
[Editor’s note: The Wyoming Department of Transportation recently produced a video detailing some of the hazards posed when wildlife traverse highways and how state departments of transportation are working to mitigate those hazards.]
The overpass is strategically located to address the 3.7-mile gap from other wildlife crossings and completes the wildlife crossing system of underpasses and fencing as a part of the I-25 South Gap project that improved 18 miles of I-25 from Castle Rock to Monument.
Prior to the system being built, there was an average of one wildlife-vehicle crash a day in the fall and spring wildlife movement seasons. Colorado DOT said its research shows that the five underpasses are successfully being used by large and small mammals.
“Colorado is leading the way in reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions and improving safety for both our motorists and wildlife,” noted Governor Jared Polis (D) in a statement. “The I-25 Greenland wildlife overpass is a momentous feat, in our continued work to expand safe transportation options for both humans and wildlife, protecting critical habitat and our amazing outdoor spaces for generations to come.”
“The I-25 Greenland wildlife overpass is critical to the safety of both wildlife and motorists,” added Shoshana Lew, Colorado DOT’s executive director. “The overpass is an essential component of the wildlife crossing system in this area, which is expected to reduce wildlife-vehicle crashes by 90 percent.”
PennDOT Seeks More ‘Sponsor-A-Highway’ Support from Businesses
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is encouraging businesses statewide to join the department’s Sponsor-A-Highway program and keep the state’s roadways clean as the 2026 tourism season is expected to bring more than 209 million travelers to Pennsylvania.
[Above photo by PennDOT]
Some 55 businesses currently participate in the program, which began in 2000; cleaning more than 375 miles of roadway on an annual basis. Beginning in 2026, Sponsor-A-Highway vendors will increase litter clean-ups along sponsored roads from six to eight times per year, the agency said.
“From the World Cup to the MLB All-star Game, the NFL Draft and the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, 2026 will put Pennsylvania centerstage,” said Mike Carroll, PennDOT’s secretary, in a statement. “With so many travelers coming to our cities, now is the opportunity to show the world what makes the Commonwealth the ‘Great American Getaway.’”
Through PennDOT’s Sponsor-A-Highway program, local businesses and organizations can secure agreements with a PennDOT vendor who uses skilled maintenance forces to remove litter on roadways such as interstates and expressways, especially in areas where volunteer litter groups cannot safely pick up litter.
Sponsors are recognized with a roadside acknowledgement sign displaying their business name and logo, while also receiving a listing on PennDOT’s website.
The Sponsor-A-Highway program signs have also been redone to feature the “Let Freedom Ring” design unveiled in 2025.
“With 2026 putting Pennsylvania on the world stage, we get one chance to make a first — and lasting — impression,” said Anne Ryan, deputy secretary of tourism for the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.
“Roadside signage may seem simple, but it’s one of the very first touchpoints that tells visitors who we are, what we value, and what the Great American Getaway stands for,” she added. “This investment helps us welcome millions of travelers with pride, clarity, and a sense of place the moment they cross our borders.”
Environmental News Highlights – December 31, 2025
PA Turnpike Opens NEVI Funded EV Charging Stations
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation recently opened the first of two federally-funded electric vehicle charging stations on the Pennsylvania Turnpike built using funds from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure or NEVI program.
[Above photo via PennDOT]
The first new station is located at the Blue Mountain Service Plaza at Exit 202 westbound on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The second NEVI-funded EV charging station is at New Stanton, located at Exit 77 westbound.
This project was awarded from Alternative Fuel Corridor Round 1 of the PennDOT NEVI program. The next stage of NEVI funding, Corridor Connections, focuses on implementing EV charging stations along major roadways to strengthen long-distance travel outside of previously designated Alternative Fuel Corridors.
The two new EV charging stations are part of the PA Turnpike’s systemwide EV charging initiative. In partnership with Applegreen Electric, this program looks to add 80 new universal EV stations at all 17 service plazas by the end of 2027.
Beyond those new additions funded through the NEVI program, the PA Turnpike recently opened up new electric vehicle charging stations at North Somerset, South Somerset, and Hickory Run service plazas funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s “Driving PA Forward” program. All of those sites offer high-speed chargers, with a total of four charging ports per location, that support all EV types without the need for adapters.
“The Shapiro Administration’s goal is to use federal NEVI funds to build out an accessible and reliable EV charging network by meeting EV drivers where they are,” explained Mike Carroll, PennDOT secretary, in a statement.
“The Pennsylvania Turnpike is one of the state’s busiest roads for long-distance travelers, especially over the holiday season, and opening the first NEVI-funded charging station on the Turnpike exemplifies that goal,” he said.
“We are excited to continue offering more options for customers who want accessible, on-route EV charging,” added Mark Compton, CEO of the PA Turnpike.
“Our EV charging program offers reliable and convenient options along our roadway, improving customer experience while also reflecting our long-term commitment to being a good neighbor across the Commonwealth,” he noted. “Beyond meeting customer demand, supporting electric vehicle adoption enhances infrastructure resilience, supports renewable energy goals and reduces vehicle emissions.”
Tennessee DOT Heralds Success of ‘No Trash November’
More than 77,000 pounds of litter were removed from roadsides and waterways statewide as part of the 5th Annual “No Trash November” month-long campaign sponsored by the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
[Above image by Tennessee DOT]
Throughout the month, 2,470 volunteers participated in 205 cleanup events, the agency said in a statement – collecting 3,596 bags of litter weighing a total of 77,129 pounds.
This annual cleanup initiative also brings together Tennessee DOT’s litter prevention partners and organizations, including Keep Tennessee Beautiful affiliates, Litter Grant recipients, Adopt-A-Highway groups, youth organizations such as Girl Scouts and Scouting America, and many others.
Tennessee DOT noted that youth groups can earn patches for their cleanup efforts through its Youth Patch Program: receiving a “Nobody Trashes Tennessee” logo patch for a scout’s first cleanup; the “Trashsquatch” patch, awarded for a second cleanup; and now the “Rocco the Raccoon” patch, for Scouts who complete their third cleanup service project.
The agency added that litter cleanup participants aged 13 and older may earn rewards for their litter prevention efforts through the Trash Masters Rewards program, which offers points for attending cleanup events, completing litter prevention quizzes, and spreading awareness. Points may be redeemed for discounts at local businesses and exclusive “Nobody Trashes Tennessee” merchandise, Tennessee DOT said.