Glossary

Clean Air Act standards for widespread pollutants from numerous and diverse sources considered harmful to public health and the environment.

Formed in 1967, NADO is an advocacy organization for federal programs and policies, which promote regional strategies and address local economic development needs.

Formed in 1967, NARC is an advocacy organization serving as a national forum for regionalism. Member organizations are comprised of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO), Regional Planning Agencies (RPA/RPC), Council of Governments (COG), etc., which work on transportation, community, economic development, and environmental quality issues.

A research program of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) that develops near-term, practical solutions to problems facing transportation planning agencies.

Federal law requiring federal agencies to integrate environmental values into their decision making processes by considering the environmental impacts of their proposed actions and reasonable alternatives to those actions.

NHI is the training and education arm of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), established by Congress in 1970.

As of 2008, the NHS is comprised of about 160,000 miles (256,000 kilometers) of roadway important to the nation’s economy, defense, and mobility. The National Highway System (NHS) includes the Interstate Highway System as well as other roads important to the nation’s economy, defense, and mobility. The NHS was developed by the Department of Transportation (DOT) in cooperation with the states, local officials, and metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs).

The program provides funding for improvements to rural and urban roads that are part of the NHS, including the Interstate System and designated connections to major intermodal terminals. Under certain circumstances, NHS funds may also be used to fund transit improvements in NHS corridors.

NHTSA was established in 1970 by the Highway Safety Act of 1970. Its mission is to; “Save lives, prevent injuries and reduce economic costs due to road traffic crashes, through education, research, safety standards and enforcement activity.”

An area of land or water that is not dominated by man-made features and that may have unusual or significant flora, fauna, geo-logical, or similar features of scientific, ecological, or educational interest.

NGV’s use Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)- composed of Methane, or a less common Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as a cleaner alternative to petroleum-based fossil fuels.

The Natural Resources Board (NRB) was created by Act 115 of the Vermont General Assembly to succeed the Environmental and Water Resources Boards on February 1, 2005. The NRB is a nine member board which is divided into two panels, the Land Use Panel and the Water Resources Panel. Each panel has five members, including the NRB Chair.

Concentrated habitat which is identifiable and is demonstrated as being decisive to the survival of a species of wildlife at any period in its life including breeding and migratory periods.

An area that shares a common function and/or character. It may refer specifically to (1) an area whose residents regard it to be a separate community or (2) a collection of residential, commercial, and institutional land uses that form a basic unit of community planning.

NEVs are battery powered vehicles that are legally limited to roads with posted speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less on Vermont roads, generally have a maximum loaded weight of 3,000 lbs.

In planning, a network is a computerized representation (often times in the for of a GIS or other digital model) of roadways and intersections that describes a transportation system. For highway engineering, a network is a configuration of highways that constitutes the total system. In transit operations (bus, passenger rail, et al.), a network is a system of transit lines or routes, usually designed for coordinated operation.

A privately operated railroad company.

The “Federal Transit Act” authorized temporary discretionary funds intended help start new fixed-route transit systems or services.

The area planned for or developing as a community’s central business district, composed of compact, pedestrian-friendly, multistory, and mixed use development that is characteristic of a traditional downtown, supported by planned or existing urban infrastructure, including curbed streets with side-walks and on-street parking, stormwater treatment, sanitary sewers and public water supply.

Precursor emission that forms from high-temperature combustion processes. React with VOCs in the presence of heat and sunlight to form ozone.

A point where two links join a network, usually representing a decision point for route choice but sometimes indicating only a change in some important link attribute.

Scaled geographic depictions of an airport, its noise contours, and surrounding land use which are legally required to be made available to the public (prepared under 14 CFR part 150).

A geographic area that in the US EPA has designated as not meeting the NAAQS. The Chittenden County area has not been designated as a nonattainment area for ozone or CO at this time.

A lot or parcel that does not conform to the present bylaws covering dimensional requirements but were in conformance with all applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations prior to the enactment of the present bylaws, including a lot or parcel improperly authorized as a result of error by the Administrative Officer.

A structure or part of a structure that does not conform to the present bylaws but was in conformance with all applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations prior to the enactment of the present bylaws, including a structure improperly authorized as a result of error by the Administrative Officer.

A use of land that does not conform to the present bylaws but did conform to all applicable laws, ordinances, and regulations prior to the enactment of the present bylaws, including a use improperly authorized as a result of error by the Administrative Officer.

A noncomforming use, structure, lot, or parcel.

SAFEATEA-LU Section 1807 established the NTPP. This program is providing 25 million dollars each to four communities–Columbia, MO; Marin County, CA; Minneapolis Area, MN; Sheboygan County, WI–to demonstrate how improved walking and bicycling networks can increase rates of walking and bicycling.

The region encompassing Addison, Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle, Lamoille, and Washington counties.

A notice informing the public that an Environmental Impact Statement will be undertaken for a project.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission