The Washington State Legislature established TPEAC to
streamline the permitting process for transportation projects while
achieving better environmental results. TPEAC provided a valuable forum
to bring together representatives of all entities involved in
transportation project-delivery. TPEAC underscored the importance of
working together to bring about a more streamlined and integrated
permitting process in order to more efficiently use public resources and
achieve better environmental results. When asked to identify TPEAC’s
successes, there was a general consensus among participants that the
Committee’s collaborative process was chief among many and responsible
for:
- Stronger, more functional inter-agency relationships
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Increased respect, trust, and credibility among
stakeholders
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Increased understanding of environmental permitting
and transportation project processes
TPEAC’s work to improve Washington’s transportation
permitting process serves as a model for multi-stakeholder,
collaborative streamlining, where the goals of increasing permitting and
regulatory efficiency and maintaining high environmental standards are
held in mutual high regard. The following have been identified as
important elements to the collaboration success of TPEAC:
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Stakeholder engagement ensured that the
perspectives and expertise of natural resource agencies and the
regulated community; state, local, and tribal governments; and the
environmental and businesses communities were at the table.
Participants worked together, respectful of each others perspectives
and constraints to find the best solutions.
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Sustained leadership helped to set the
tone, and direct and focus the overall efforts of the Committee.
Internal leadership emerged at the subcommittee and task force
levels as well.
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TPEAC’s enacting legislation provided a clear
mandate, establishing the expectation and priority for the
participants.
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Consistent funding ensured that TPEAC
participants could devote the time and effort
necessary to establish working relationships.
For more information on the TPEAC’s collaborative
process, please see the Lessons Learned
and Practitioners Corner pages.
