An e-mail:

I can’t respond to the various posts about the environmental regs that can hold up transportation projects, so I’m going to pester you.
Keep in mind that there are thousands of people in the environmental compliance business – not just agencies, but private sector folks who suck at the NEPA teat. These include scientists, planners, managers, GIS specialists, document production staff, administrative staff, public involvement specialists, graphic artists, etc. I’m one of them. It’s not just transportation. NEPA compliance is required for any project that requires federal funding, federal land, or federal permits. Of course, some states have their own mini-NEPAs – SEPA, MEPA, CEQA.
As a taxpayer, I’m outraged by the stimulus bill, but as a consultant, I love it. I’ve made a good living for the past 22 years working on environmental assessments and environmental impact statements.