The roots of CSS go back to the landmark National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (signed into law in 1970). NEPA established a framework for environmental planning and decision-making by Federal agencies based on a set of fundamental objectives that include environmental protection, interagency coordination and cooperation, and public participation in planning and project development. All of these are key elements of CSS. Since 1969 there have been several events that have been instrumental in the development and expansion of CSS concepts, including federal transportation legislation (ISTEA, TEA-21 and SAAFETEA-LU), the “Thinking Beyond the Pavement Conference” sponsored by FHWA and AASHTO in 1998, and the 2006 Peer Exchange sponsored by AASHTO and FHWA.

Further Reading:

How CSS Developed - CSS Quick Facts