What is Section 4(f)?

Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Act of 1966 requires that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and other USDOT agencies approve the use of land from historic sites and publicly owned parks, recreational areas, wildlife and waterfowl refuges for transportation projects.

What is de minimis?

If impacts to the property would not adversely affect the activities, features, or attributes of the Section 4(f) resource, a de minimis impact determination can be made by FHWA.


Mammoth Park

The northern edge of Westmoreland County's Mammoth Park is located within the Route 981, V20 project area. Mammoth Park encompasses approximately 408 acres and includes a 24-acre freshwater lake, playgrounds, pavilions, baseball fields, tennis courts, a model radio-controlled airfield, and areas open for hunting.

Mammoth park pic

Park Impacts

At this time, it is anticipated that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) would acquire 3.7 acres of permanent right-of-way from Mammoth Park. The permanent right-of-way acquisition will occur along the park's northern boundary, an area that is currently used for passive recreational activities such as bird watching and hunting.

The project is currently in preliminary engineering. These areas of impact are subject to change as design progresses. While permanent right-of-way will be acquired, the project will not affect the features and attributes of the park that make it eligible for protection under Section 4(f). For these reasons, PennDOT and FHWA intend to make a de minimis impact determination.

Presentation1lvtip MJD