Section 4(f) Case Studies

Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act, the law that established the US DOT, is intended to protect significant parks, recreation areas, wildlife refuges, and historic sites from the effects of transportation projects. Under Section 4(f), historic sites and other protected resources must be avoided, unless there is “no feasible and prudent alternative” and all “possible planning to minimize harm” has been utilized. This legal requirement has become an indispensible safeguard to protect our historic and cultural resources.

Here are examples from around the country of Section 4(f) in action.