Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act

Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act protects publicly owned parks, recreation areas, historic sites, and wildlife refuges from being used for transportation projects if there are feasible and prudent alternatives. Essentially, it requires transportation agencies to consider whether a project could cause significant harm to these protected resources and to explore other options before proceeding. If no safer or more suitable alternatives are available, the agency must demonstrate that the project includes features to minimize harm and that there is no feasible alternative, balancing transportation needs with environmental and cultural preservation.