District 6 Environmental Planning

The District 6 Environmental Division serves the environmental needs of the California Central Valley. It consists of a multi-disciplinary team of over 168 individuals with specialties in a wide range of areas such as, archaeological resources, architectural history, biology, air, noise and water quality, hazardous materials testing, paleontology and graphic design. The Division administers Caltran's responsibilities under federal and state law in response to the enactment of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), in 1969, and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), in 1973. In response to the passage of a host of environmentally related laws and regulations and heightened public support for the environment, these responsibilities have grown to become a substantive and inseparable part of Caltrans' planning, development, construction, operation and maintenance efforts.

"We continue to smooth the path for all of Caltrans in the work we do with resource agencies. The communication and cooperation we are developing with agencies such as the United States Fish and Wildlife Service are benefiting not only the Central Region, but every part of this state as well."

Mission and Goals Statement

The District 6 Environmental Division is a critical functional unit, which must have a clear vision to be successful. Our primary vision, is to ensure the timely delivery of environmentally sound projects.

District 6 Environmental is responsible for state highway projects in 5 counties of the Central Valley, which are engaged in planning, design, supervision and management of California's key transportation infrastructure.

District 6 current projects:

• District 6 - Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, and Tulare Counties

 

District 6 Environmental Contact Information

Phil Vallejo
Division Chief, District 6 Environmental
philip.vallejo@dot.ca.gov
(559) 470-7910

David Johnson (Acting)
Office Chief, Branch 1
david.m.johnson@dot.ca.gov
(559) 341-0737

Javier Almaguer
Office Chief, Branch 2
javier.almaguer@dot.ca.gov
(559) 287-9320

 

NEPA Delegation

What are NEPA and CEQA?

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) defines procedures for environmental review and impact analysis of projects that need approval by federal agencies. The purpose of NEPA is to ensure that environmental factors are weighted equally when compared to other factors in the decision making process. The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) does the same for projects that need approval by state or local agencies. Both laws require that the potential environmental impacts of a proposed project be assessed, quantified, disclosed, minimized, eliminated and/or mitigated whenever possible.

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies pursuant to 40 CFR (Code of Federal Regulation) 1500, to consider potential environmental effects of their programs by preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

NEPA's purpose is to:

• Declare a national policy which will encourage productive and enjoyable harmony between man and the environment
• Promote efforts which will prevent or eliminate damage to the environment and biosphere and stimulate the health and welfare of man
• Enrich the understanding of ecological systems and natural resources important to the Nation
• Establish a Council on Environmental Quality

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Public Resources Code (PCR) Section 21000, requires local and state governments to consider the potential environmental effects of a project before a decision whether to approve a project or not.

CEQA's purpose is to:

• Disclose the potential impacts of a project to government decision makers and the public about the potential significant environmental effects of proposed activities
• Suggest methods to minimize those impacts to the environment
• Identify alternatives to the project
• Enhance Public Participation

 

Title VI Information

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) assures that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance, as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, and Federal Executive Order 12898 (Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations).

Caltrans will make every effort to ensure nondiscrimination in all of its programs and activities, whether they are federally funded or not, and that services and benefits are fairly distributed to all people, regardless of race, color, or national origin. In addition, Caltrans will facilitate meaningful participation in the transportation planning process in a nondiscriminatory manner.

Title VI Brochures

Title VI brochures in various languages