SCEA Training

Review Questions to Support Training Modules
ICE Analysis Training - Spring 2007

Introduction and FHWA Portion

1. True or False - ICE Analysis scoping activities begin after the alternatives Retained for a Detailed Study are selected for a given project?
Answer False - ICE Analysis scoping activities begin as early as the interagency field review in Stage 1 of the SHA Project Planning process.
2. SHA's ICE Analysis Guidelines apply to which of the following NEPA Documents?
  • Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) and Environmental Assessments (EA's) only
  • Environmental Impact Statements only
  • Environmental Impact Statements, Environmental Assessments, Categorical Exclusions (CE's) and Environmental Re-Evaluations (ER's)
  • Categorical Exclusions only
Answer Answer: C - Environmental Impact Statements, Environmental Assessments, Categorical Exclusions (CE's) and Environmental Re-Evaluations (ER's)
3. True or False - There is a single, universal approach to conducting an ICE Analysis.
Answer False - All ICE Analyses are different and each approach is based on the individual project specifics
4. True or False - To date, indirect and cumulative effects analyses have not been challenged in the federal court.
Answer False - indirect and cumulative effects have often been challenged in Federal Court.
5. True or False - FHWA provides numerous resources on their website for guidance on ICE analyses.
Answer True - there are numerous resources on FHWA's website regarding guidance on ICE Analyses.

Module 1:

1. True or False - Direct Impacts do not have to be factored into a Secondary and Cumulative Effects Analysis.
Answer False - Direct impacts do have to be factored into a Secondary and Cumulative Effects Analysis. Direct impacts are part of the overall cumulative impacts.
2. Which of the following is not considered a resource for the purpose of an ICE Analysis?
  • Historic Sites
  • Wetlands
  • Groundwater
  • Air Quality
  • Floodplains
Answer Answer: D - Air Quality is not considered an ICE Analysis resource. Air Quality is considered in the environmental process during conformity of the Transportation Improvement Program and Long Range Transportation Plan but is not considered a resource for the purposes of an ICE Analysis.
3. True or False - Those resources that are directly impacted by a project alternative should also be considered for potential cumulative impacts.
Answer True - Resources that are directly impacted by a project alternative should be analyzed for potential cumulative impacts.
4. True or False - Land use can be considered a resource if the future land use scenario is significantly different than the existing land use scenario.
Answer False - Last use is not considered a resource for the purposes of an ICE Analysis regardless of timeframe.
5. True or False - SHA Guidelines provide a master list of resources that should be included for analysis in every ICE Analysis that is conducted in Maryland.
Answer False - Because each ICE Analysis is unique, SHA does not provide a master list of resources to be considered for all projects. Resources will be considered on a project by project basis.
6. Which data source would be considered for providing readily available data in determining resources to consider?
  • Local Master Plans
  • Correspondence with Local Planners
  • Census Data
  • FEMA Maps
  • All of the above
Answer Answer: E - All provide relevant data regarding resource information

Module 2:

1. True or False - There can be multiple geographical boundaries, depending on whether natural environmental, socio-economic or cultural resources are being analyzed in the ICE Analysis.
Answer False - There should be only one geographical boundary that incorporates natural environmental, socio-economic and cultural resources. Different resources can use their own sub-boundary for analysis.
2. True or False - Subwatersheds are an appropriate sub-boundary to help establish an overall ICE Analysis geographical boundary.
Answer True - Subwatersheds are considered one of the sub-boundaries that SHA recommends to use in establishing your overall ICE Analysis geographical boundary. Since subwatersheds are a resource sub-boundary for assessing natural environmental resources, they can be very useful in helping in determining your overall ICE Analysis geographical boundary.
3. Which of the following is not considered an appropriate sub-boundary for the purposes of developing an ICE Analysis geographical boundary?
  • Area of Traffic Influence
  • Extent of Preliminary Alternatives
  • Sewer/Water Servic
  • Roads
  • Sub-Watersheds
Answer D - Roads are not considered appropriate for establishing you ICE Analysis geographical boundary. The extent of your area of traffic influence will likely coincide with roads but this is different then arbitrarily choosing roads to form your overall ICE Analysis geographic boundary.
4. True or False - The area of traffic influence has to be considered in the development of an ICE Analysis geographical boundary only when the project alternative is going to increase travel capacity.
Answer False - The area of traffic influence should be considered in the development of your ICE Analysis geographical boundary regardless of a project's purpose and need. If the purpose of a project was to improve safety, considering the area of traffic influence is still warranted. The six sub-boundary types recommended by SHA: area of traffic influence, resource boundaries, census tracts, extent of preliminary project alternatives, state and local planning areas and extent of sewer/water service should all be considered and documented in the preparation of your ICE Analysis.
5. True or False - Mapping that shows extent of a preliminary/conceptual alternative is useful in establishing an ICE Analysis geographical boundary.
Answer True - The extent of preliminary/conceptual alternatives is one of the sub-boundaries that need's to be considered when developing the ICE Analysis geographical boundary. Mapping of these alternatives will help communicate this sub-boundary to the public and those persons reviewing the ICE Analysis process.
6. Which of the following boundaries would likely be considered in developing the ICE Analysis Boundary?
  • Metropolitan Area
  • Election Districts
  • County Boundaries
  • Municipalities
  • Census Tracts
Answer Answer: E - Metropolitan Areas, Election Districts, County Boundaries and Municipalities are not representative of resources and are generally too large to consider.
7. Which of the following is likely to set the outermost limit of the ICE Analysis Boundary?
  • Area of Traffic Influence
  • Census Tracts
  • Sub-Watersheds
  • Planning Areas
  • None of the above
Answer Answer: C - Sub-watersheds are generally the largest of all the resource sub-boundaries.

Module 3:

1. True or False - When determining your ICE Analysis time frame, the availability of data is the only factor that should be considered.
Answer False - The availability of data is an important factor when establishing your ICE Analysis time frame, but this must be considered in conjunction with other factors such as historical events in context to the project area.
2. Which of the following is not appropriate in establishing an ICE Analysis time frame?
  • Input from local planners
  • The design year of a project
  • Availability of data
  • Year in which this project's NEPA documentation is completed
  • Major events in the general project area
  • Significant land use or population changes
Answer Answer: D - The year in which a project's NEPA documentation is to be completed is not a factor in determining an ICE Analysis time frame.
3. True or False - It is recommended that information about changes in land use or population that substantiate the selection of a major event in establishing an ICE Analysis time frame be included as part of the ICE Analysis documentation.
Answer True - Any additional information regarding significant population or land use changes that can help substantiate the impact of a major event is helpful in understanding why an ICE Analysis time frame was established.
4. True or False - You should never consider available resource trends data for your ICE Analysis that proceeds the past year time frame.
Answer False - If available trends data preceding the established past timeframe is helpful in conducting the analysis of resources or supporting conclusions, this data should be considered in an ICE Analysis.
5. True or False - The future year time frame is always set as the year 2030.
Answer False - The design year of the project is used as the future year time frame.
6. Which would not be a likely factor in determining the Past ICE Analysis Time Frame?
  • Adoption of a Master Plan
  • Establishment of a building moratorium
  • Past highway widening
  • Appointment of a new Planning Director
  • Construction of a major mixed-use development
Answer Answer: D - The appointment of a new planning director does not usually impact a significant land use or population change
7. Why is population a factor in establishing a timeframe?
  • Population growth is relevant to infrastructural needs
  • Population growth is relevant to construction trends
  • Population growth is relevant to increases in traffic
  • Population data is readily available from the US Census
  • All of the above
Answer Answer: E
8. True or False - The opening of a military base should not be a consideration when determining the past time frame.
Answer False - The opening of a military base can have a significant impact on population growth and land use change.

Module 4:

1. True or False - When developing your future land use scenario, development planned 4 years from the current year should be included.
Answer False - Development planned 4 years from the current year is considered "near future", and is therefore in your present time frame.
2. True or False - Land use scenarios for the present time period must always be developed, but scenarios for the past and future are developed on a project by project basis.
Answer False - Development and ideally mapping for all three time periods (past, present and future) should be developed. This will help conduct analysis for the ICE Analysis resources and also help validate any conclusions drawn from your analysis.
3. True or False - Expert land use panels are expected to be created to support the development of land use for all ICE Analyses.
Answer False - Expert land use panels are useful for resolving some situations where there is more than one land use scenario for a given alternative; however, these panels are not required. Because the local governments are primarily responsible for the development of land use, it is likely that a consensus on a future land use scenario will occur prior to the need of creating an expert land use panel.
4. True or False - When developing your land use, it is possible that each alternative may result in its own land use scenario.
Answer True - It is possible for multiple alternatives to have different land use scenarios. This is likely when the alignments for these alternatives are significantly varied in design or location. When multiple alternatives are being retained, be sure to use output from existing travel demand models and also consult with local planners to determine how each alternative could impact future land use.
5. True or False - 500 residential units is the minimum threshold when establishing a future land use scenario for all ICE Analyses in the State of Maryland.
Answer False - Rural developments contain a minimum of 250 units
6. Which is not a land use category that should be considered in the ICE Analysis?
  • Historic Boundaries
  • Parkland
  • Institutional
  • Residential
  • Woodland
Answer Answer: A - Historic boundaries are not considered a land use category

Module 5:

1. True or False - In cases where resource data is deficient, it is recommended to develop models to address these data gaps.
Answer False - Analysis of impacts to a resource should rely on existing available data without developing models to fill voids in data. It is appropriate to use data output from existing models, such as travel demand models, where such models are already in place.
2. True or False - Qualitative analysis is recommended for the assessment of resources only when all attempts at quantitative analysis are exhausted.
Answer False - The type of analysis depends on the data availability for a given resource. SHA's ICE Analysis Guidelines allow flexibility in developing assessment methodologies that are appropriate to resource data availability.
3. True or False - The ICE Analysis Geographical Boundary established during the scoping process can't be adjusted during the analysis phase of the ICE Analysis.
Answer False - It is appropriate to refine the ICE Analysis geographical boundary based on agency input received during the scoping process, and based upon the extent of the direct and indirect impacts to resources. Also, alternatives may be modified or dropped, or new alternatives may be added, which could result in changes in the resources affected and require refinements to the ICE Analysis geographical boundary.
4. True or False - Predicting impacts to resources based on current trends should consider the effects of regulatory programs.
Answer True - Analysis of resources must take into account regulatory programs which protect those resources when projecting future trends.
5. True or False - Current SHA Guidelines recommend overlay, trends, interviews and matrices as the four main analysis methodologies.
Answer True - Current SHA Guidelines recommend four main analysis methodologies. Overlay and trends are the predominate methodologies, whereas interviews and matrices provide good support techniques to these methodologies. It is appropriate to implement a hybrid approach that incorporates various combinations of these analysis methodologies.
6. When should the analysis phase begin?
  • During the development of Preliminary Alternatives
  • After concurrence on Alternatives Retained for Detailed Study
  • After the Public Informational Workshops
  • After completion of the DEIS
  • After an Alternative has been selected
Answer Answer: B - The analysis phase begins after concurrence on the ARDS package. The analysis would start once all scoping refinements have been made, if necessary
7. If multiple consultants are used during the study, which consultant team is most appropriate for developing the ICE Analysis?
  • Travel Forecasting Consultant
  • Natural Resources Consultant
  • Socioeconomic Resources Consultant
  • Cultural Resources Consultant
  • Environmental Management Team
Answer Answer: C - The Socio-economic team is most knowledgeable of existing land use and future transportation/ development projects within the study area which is integral for the analysis and should be consistent with the rest of the document.
8. True or False - ICE Analysis conclusions should be reached in consultation with project team members along with agency comments.
Answer True - Project team members can verify consistency throughout the document where resource agency's can provide technical information on resources.

Module 6:

1. True or False - Under current SHA Guidelines, documentation of an ICE Analysis is separated into the primary sections of Scoping, Analysis, Mitigation and Conclusions.
Answer True - Organization of a ICE Analysis includes the four main sections of Scoping, Analysis, Mitigation and Conclusions.
2. True or False - SHA requires that a stand-alone ICE Analysis Technical Report be prepared similar to socio-economic, natural environmental, noise quality and air quality technical reports.
Answer False - A separate ICE Analysis report is not required. The ICE Analysis should be included in the environmental consequences section of the NEPA documentation. However, for more complex projects, it is recommended that a separate memorandum/technical report be created in order to house all of the detailed cumbersome data. In this case the NEPA documentation should provide a summarized version.
3. True or False - It is not necessary to provide any background information that is pertinent to the resource in the documentation.
Answer False - It is important to provide general descriptions of resources within the ICE Analysis study area and their significance and uses
4. True of False - Documentation of resource impacts should be developed for each individual resource and alternative.
Answer True - Documentation of impacts is assessed separately for each resource and is conducted for each alternative. If an alternative has similar options, i.e., a bypass alternate with various interchange options that are similar in alignment, it is not necessary to document resource impacts separately.
5. True or False - Organization of the ICE Analysis documentation requires that indirect and cumulative resource impacts be discussed within each section relevant to the resources considered.
Answer True - If a project alternative results in indirect and/or cumulative impacts, the ICE Analysis should document these resource impacts separately.
6. True or False - The "judicious" use of tables and graphics in the ICE Analysis narrative is encouraged.
Answer True - The use of tables and graphics that support ICE Analysis conclusions helps facilitate review and understanding.
7. True or False - Meeting summaries from discussions with local jurisdictions should not be included in the ICE Analysis documentation.
Answer False - Information gathered from conversations with local jurisdictions is relevant to the analysis and should be documented and included.
8. True or False - Mapping for the geographical boundary is the only necessary mapping that should be included in the analysis.
Answer False - At a minimum mapping should be included for the geographical boundary, the past, present and future land use scenarios and for resources within the boundary.

Module 7:

1. True or False - Mitigation of indirect and cumulative effects is a requirement of NEPA.
Answer False - Mitigation is not required through NEPA.
2. True or False - Possible mitigation strategies can be coordinated with local jurisdictions/agencies if indirect and cumulative effects are identified.
Answer True - Mitigation strategies can be coordinated with local agencies but it is not a requirement.
3. True or False - The development of resource preservation plans through coordinating with local jurisdictions is not a realistic mitigation strategy.
Answer False -Preservation plans would be considered a type of mitigation strategies and are also an option.
4. True or False - The mitigation discussion should include existing regulations and protective measures.
Answer True - Outlining the existing regulations and protective measures in the mitigation section reinforce that resources are protected.