(v) A one-paragraph abstract of the statement. A lead agency must notify EPA of an extended time period when either filing the EIS through e-NEPA or by email to EIS-Filing (EIS-Filing@epa.gov). General Environmental Review Procedures | HHS.gov The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires government agencies to engage in a review process intended to discover any significant environmental and public health impacts before a decision is made or construction begins. (ii) Devote substantial treatment to each alternative considered in detail, including the proposed action, so that reviewers may evaluate their comparative merits. An official website of the United States government. *If all search criteria are left empty, all EIS records will be returned. (h) Proposals for Legislation. Next, include a paragraph giving information on the grant or public assistance application to address the above stated purpose and need, including: This chapter should provide a concise description of all of the alternatives that were fully considered in addressing the purpose and need stated above. Influence of aluminum waste on the thermo-mechanical properties of (2) The decision on a proposed action involving an environmental impact statement, must be delayed until any necessary supplement has been circulated and has gone through the commenting period. Most of the information and analysis developed through the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process is presented in a single document. Impacts should address short (during construction) and long term (operational) impacts on air quality. This section should clearly outline the need for the EIS and the purpose and description of the proposed action. (11) Where State laws or local ordinances impose environmental impact statement requirements which are not in conflict with those in NEPA, an environmental impact statement made by the Postal Service should satisfy pertinent State and local requirements to the extent practicable. How Alternative 1 will impact (and/or be impacted by) the geology and soils. If the Friday is a federal holiday, the publication will be on Thursday. Impacts should also include demands of the propose project on public services and utilities, if any. A supplement is prepared, circulated, and filed in the same manner (except for determining scope) as draft and final statements, unless alternative procedures are approved by CEQ. An introductory paragraph(s) on the general setting of the project area. Afederal agency can determine that a Categorical Exclusion (CATEX)does not apply to a proposed action. Ultimately, the report grew from eight pages to eight feet thick. For consistency with the language in 1502.17, the final rule specifies that the draft and final EISs must include a summary of "all alternatives, information, and analyses." Also, in response to comments requesting clarification on the meaning of "public commenters . What Is The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Process? The environmental review under NEPA can involve three different levels of analysis: A federal action may be "categorically excluded" from a detailed environmental analysis whenthe federal action normally does not have a significant effect on the human environment(40 CFR 1508.1(d)). (3) The text of final environmental impact statements normally should be less than 150 pages. (vi) The date by which comments must be received. Read about corporate, government, and political accountability. (iii) The appropriate review officials identified in the Postal Service regulations and procedures governing intergovernmental review of Postal Service facility project actions, the State Historic Preservation Officer, and, when National Register or eligible properties may be affected, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. Brief statement as to what is the need for the project (the problem). How Alternative 2 will impact (and/or be impacted by) the geology and soils. For example: "HMGP Sec. Paragraph(s) on the general description of existing land use and planning in the area and project site. This is a description of the cumulative impacts (if any) on the environment. Environmental Impact Statement | Overview, Purpose & Requirements Categorical Exclusion determination(CATEX), Environmental Assessment/Finding of No Significant Impact(EA/FONSI), NEPA procedures adopted by each federal agency, Find EISs with open comments or wait periods, The purpose and need for the proposed action, Alternatives (as required by section 102(2)(E) of NEPA), The environmental impacts of the proposed action and alternatives. Paragraph(s) on the general background of the event(s) that generated the "need": Location & size of event-number of counties declared, Date disaster declared & under what Act. 93-288", "FEMA Public Assistance Program", and "FEMA Project Impact Program. Amended Environmental Impact Statement Filing System Guidance for Implementing 40 CFR 1506.10and 1506.11of the Council on Environmental Quality's Regulations Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act, 83FR 58349(September18, 2020). Final Environmental Impact Statement for the N.C. Department of Transportation's project to extend the Triangle Expressway from the N.C. 55 Bypass in Apex to U.S. 64/U.S. Continue for the rest of the alternatives if applicable. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. Include comments on draft statement in final statement. This is a list of commonly used acronyms in the document (always spell out the first time used). According to the NEPA website, the action must be proven to "significantly affect the quality of the human environment.". BPA wants to fund the project partially. A lock ( This includes such things as building codes and requirements, storm water and sediment and erosion control requirements, etc. DOC Home | US Forest Service Her expertise covers a wide range of accounting, corporate finance, taxes, lending, and personal finance areas. What is NEPA? An EIS is a very comprehensive report that not only requires what an EA does but it calls for an in-depth examination of the proposal and considerations by the public, including local, state, and tribal governments. EPA should also be notified of all situations where an agency has decided to withdraw, delay, extend or reopen a review period on an EIS. (ii) Alternatives, which must include the no action alternative, other reasonable courses of action, and mitigation measures. Coordination letters sent to the agencies and their comments should be provided in the Appendices. Environmental impact statements are required for certain major infrastructure projects, although they are not required for smaller projects. (iii) Be concise, and not longer than is necessary to comply with NEPA. Insignificant impacts eliminated during the process under 775.11(a) to determine the scope of issues must be discussed only to the extent necessary to state why they will not be significant. An environmental impact statement (EIS) must include all o - Chegg Impacts should address short (during construction) and long term (operational) impacts on noise levels. An environmental impact statement must include: A. solutions to any potentially adverse environmental effects B. a description of the solution to any associated environmental controversy C. an ethical analysis of the proposed action D. documentation of the financial cost-benefit analysis of the proposed action The Alabama Trustee Implementation Group worked with several federal agencies in 2017 to produce an EIS in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. (1) A final statement responds to comments on a draft statement in one or more of the following ways: (i) Modification of alternatives, including the proposed action. If a federal agencyfiles an abbreviated final EIS (as described in 40 CFR 1503.4(c)), it should include a new cover sheet on the Draft EIS when filing it as the Final EIS. The "Notice of Availability" is the start of the 45-day public comment period for Draft EISs. Risk control is a technique that utilizes findings from risk assessments within a company to reduce the risk found in these areas. The EIS requirement is one of three possible environmental review categories under NEPA. Impacts should address short (during construction) and long term impacts on wetlands. If applicable, describe any measures that can be implemented to mitigate the anticipated impacts described above. The regulatory requirements for an EIS are more detailed and rigorous than the requirements for an EA. Since then, individual states have also adopted similar requirements. [1] An EIS is a tool for decision making. Brief description of the prime farm lands at the project site. This is a description of permits typically required for this type of action. Prepared if new environmental impacts are discovered, or if the size and scope of the Proposed Action change. National Environmental Policy Act | US EPA In addition to describing the effects, the document may also include ways to mitigate the impacts. How Alternative 2 will impact populations described above. The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Database provides information about EISs prepared by federal agencies, as well as EPA's comments concerning the EISs. The Environmental Statement must include at least the information reasonably required to assess the likely significant environmental effects of the development listed in regulation 18(3) and . (iii) The name, address, and telephone number of a person at the agency who can supply further information. Generally, the EA includes a brief discussion of: Based on the EA, the following actions can occur: Federal agencies prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) if a proposed major federal action is determined to significantly affect the quality of the human environment. How Alternative 2 will impact (and/or be impacted by) the traffic and circulation. an ethical analysis of the proposed action. (g) Contracting. Provide a description of each alternative considered and dismissed from further consideration or analysis and why. Liquid natural gas, electric transmission, and ecosystem management are among the EIS topics listed on the EPA's website. Alternative 3 Description of a third alternative (at a minimum, three alternatives, including the "No Action" Alternative, must be considered) and how it will address the purpose and need. How Alternative 1 will impact populations described above. Agencies often outsource this work to contractors. A contractor employed to prepare an environmental impact statement must certify that it has no financial or other interest in the outcome of the project. Please click here to see any active alerts. This should include site specific damages in the immediate project area that generated the need for the project, such as: What caused the damages (flooding, etc., how much, etc.)? How Alternative 2 will impact (and/or be impacted by) the floodplains. An evaluation of an EA could prompt a larger investigation and result in a full EIS, or result in a finding of no significant impact (FONSI), and proceed without further review. What Is The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Process? The analysis must include, among others, the following: (i) Any adverse environmental effects which cannot be avoided should the action be implemented. If applicable, describe any measures that can be implemented to mitigate the anticipated impacts described above (e.g., dust control mitigation plan). . How Alternative 2 will impact (and/or be impacted by) the zoning and/or planning. An announcement is filed in the Federal Register, notices are sent to local media, letters are sent to individuals and groups that might be interested. The environmental impact statement (EIS) is a government document that outlines the impact of a proposed project on its surrounding environment. unless the lead agency extends the period or a reduction in the period has been granted. A cumulative impact is defined as "the impact on the environment which results from the incremental impact of the action when added to other past, present and reasonably foreseeable future action". Agency assembles all comments and prepares a draft statement. A typical federal EIS includes the following four sections: The EIS may include additional topics not required for every project, including financial plans, environmental mitigation plans, and plans for complying with any additional required federal, state, or local permits. Official notification is a signed letter on agency letterhead by an appropriate approving official. If the EIS was changed in . The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Database provides information about EISs prepared by federal An EIS must be filed by the federal agency in charge of the project in question. Provide the following information on the below listed environmental settings: Brief description of the zoning and/or planning at the propose project area and site. 10ST. Anatomy of an Environmental Assessment | FEMA.gov Montana, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico have similar requirements. A brief discussion on federal & state standards if applicable. The meaning of ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT is a technical report that details the effect proposed legislation or action will have on the natural and human environment and that is sometimes required to be furnished especially by a governmental body (as an administrative agency or a municipality) for official and public review in the regulatory and decision-making process called also . A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. (2) The significance of issues to be analyzed in depth in the environmental impact statement is determined through consideration of: (i) Actions which are closely related, or similar, or have cumulative significant impacts. For a detailed explanation read 40 CFR Part 1502. This chapter is an overview of the event (disaster) that created the need for the project and then a description of the purpose and need for the project. The details page outlines basic information: title of the statement, which generally conveys the Proposed Action; the EIS Number, which includes the year the statement was submitted (example: 20180271); several notes about the document type, which details where the statement is in the review process; and contact details for the submitting federal agency. (3) Issues which are not significant are identified and eliminated. For detailed information on formatting tips, go to. Each federal agency has adopted its own NEPA procedures for the preparation of EAs. (2) Environmental impact statements must: (i) Be analytic rather than encyclopedic. Alternative Safeguards. The environment where the action is to take place. Brief description of the Endangered Species Act or other applicable laws and regulations relating to threatened, endangered or sensitive species and their habitat. (a) Determining scope. An environmental impact statement is a document that informs Federal agency decision making and the public. To be used if hazardous materials and wastes issues are identified. (ii) The relationship between short-term uses of the environment and the maintenance and enhancement of long-term productivity, (iii) Any irreversible or irretrievable commitments of resources should the action be implemented, and. Ch. 2 Quiz Flashcards | Quizlet The process includes opportunities for members of the public to voice opinions and influence projects that affect their environment. (ii) Contain discussions of impacts in proportion to their significance. (9) Permits, licenses, and other authorizations needed to implement a proposal must be listed in the draft environmental impact statement and the prospects for obtaining them must be assessed. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. JavaScript appears to be disabled on this computer. (if applicable) Give equal treatment to all of the alternatives considered to the extent that information is available. The minimum time periods set forth 40 CFR 1506.11(b),(c), and (d) are calculated from the date EPA publishes the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. The reason for the exclusion is generally detailed in NEPA procedures adopted by each federal agency. (3) Copies of draft and final environmental impact statements must be furnished to: (i) Any Federal agency which has jurisdiction by law or special expertise with respect to any environmental impact involved. The review periods for all final EISs shall extend for 30 calendar days. The last step is what is called the "issuance of the record of decision (ROD)", which discusses the agency's plans for monitoring and mitigation, the alternatives to the actions that were considered, and explains the agency's decision for taking the action. Each document must state where each earlier document is available. How Alternative 2 will impact ambient noise levels in the project area. They are tools for informing the public about the development and engineering of the built environment, as well as windows into the civic planning that shapes communities. Analytical techniques may be incorporated in appendices. How It Works, Types, Adoption, and Examples, Carbon Trade: Definition, Purpose, and How Carbon Trading Works, Carbon Credits and How They Can Offset Your Carbon Footprint, Accountability: Definition, Types, Benefits, and Example, Risk Control: What It Is, How It Works, Example, Accounting Explained With Brief History and Modern Job Requirements, HHS General Administration Manual Part 30 Environmental Protection, Environmental Impact Statement Collection, National Environmental Policy Act Review Process, Gulf LNG Liquefaction Project: Final Environmental Impact Statement, Final Environmental Impact Statement and Proposed Land Use Plan Amendments for the Boardman to Hemingway Transmission Line Project. How Alternative 1 will impact (and/or be impacted by) prime farm land. Brief description of the traffic circulation, volume and parking at the proposed project area and site. Environmental impact statements are the detailed documents required by NEPA (Section 102(2)(c)) . Completion of an EIS transmittalis verified through, If EPA discovers that a filed EIS has not been transmitted, EPA will issue a notice with the weekly Notices of Availability retracting the EIS from public review of the EIS until the transmittal process is completed. The actual organization of the EIS varies from project-to-project and from Region-to-Region. ", Department of Ecology, State of Washington. unless the lead agency extends the prescribed period or a reduction of the period has been granted. A very brief introductory paragraph on the proposed alternative and the other alternatives evaluated in the document. Official websites use .gov See NEPA regional contacts for sending a transmittal of an EISfor regional review. An equal and unbiased analysis of how each alternative would impact that . How Alternative 1 will impact those historic properties in the project area. Pursuant to 40 CFR 1506.10 and 1506.11, EPA is responsible for administering the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) filing process. Examples, Reduce the impacts of natural disasters on the built environment, Assist communities in recovering from damages caused by natural disasters, Reduce future losses resulting from natural disasters. "National Environmental Policy Act Review Process. In addition, the relevance of the incomplete or unavailable information to the evaluation of the impacts must be stated, and a summary of existing credible scientific evidence relevant to evaluation of the impacts must be included, as well as an evaluation of such impacts on the basis of theoretical approaches or generally accepted research methods. In the case of reopening EIS review periods, the lead agency should notify EPA as to what measures will be taken to ensure that the EIS is available to all interested parties. An EIS might have one or more authors. Accountability is the acceptance of responsibility towards other parties. Impacts should address short (during construction) and long term impacts. An environmental impact statement (EIS) is a document that is prepared before a project that describes how the proposed activities impact the environment. This section, if applicable, should have an assessment of other vegetation, wildlife, and aquatic resources in the project area that may be impacted by the proposed project and alternatives, but are not necessarily listed as endangered, threatened, or sensitive. JavaScript appears to be disabled on this computer. Brief description of the public services and utilities provided (and by whom) at the project site. These are alternative actions which could mitigate the adverse environmental consequences of one or more of the action alternatives. 404 permit) or state permit, then the requirements of that permit should be discussed in that particular effected environment. documentation of the financial cost-benefit analysis of the proposed action. (ii) The title of the proposed action that is the subject of the statement (and if appropriate, the titles of related cooperating agency actions), together with any city, state, and county where the action is to take place. Delayed Action Alternative. Effective August 26, 2019, EPA extended the EIS filing deadline to Mondays at 10:00 AM Eastern Time for publication that same week in Fridays Federal Register. ", Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. In the draft stage, there is a comment period where the public can weigh in. How Alternative 2 will impact water quality in the project area. A 30-day waiting period is required after comments close before announcing the Proposed Action. Brief description of affected populations in the project area. eCFR :: 40 CFR Part 1502 -- Environmental Impact Statement Census data should be used where appropriate. Protect health, safety and welfare of citizens, etc. This involves a brief discussion of federal & state standards if applicable. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Transportation (5) Material may be incorporated into an environmental impact statement by reference only when the material is reasonably available for inspection by potentially interested persons within the time allowed for comment. Environmental impact assessment is a process that can be used to identify and estimate the potential environmental consequences of proposed developments and policies. Environmental Impact Statement | Encyclopedia.com The statement must be available in time for . This should include: A description and distribution (if any) of minority, elderly and low income populations. ", Northwestern University Libraries. How Alternative 1 will impact (and/or be impacted by) those issues. Alternatives to implementing the action. The measures must include such things as design alternatives that would decrease pollution emissions, construction impacts, esthetic intrusion, as well as relocation assistance, possible land use controls that could be enacted, and other possible . Applicants intending to apply for federal mass transportation funds should initiate the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process and integrate it with other planning activities at the earliest possible time. They should be presented in the following order: Alternative 1 No Action (should always be considered). Sections should be presented in the following order: NOTE: From this point on, EVERYTHING ties back into the above stated Purpose and Need, so be sure that the purpose and need are solid and well stated. S, Requirements for publicationof EISs appear in, EPA prepares a weekly report of all EISs filed during the preceding week for publication each Friday under a Notice of Availability in the. Agencies often publish a date by which all comments on an EIS are to be received; such actions are encouraged. Usually a Public Notice or notice of intent to undertake an action is published in a local newspaper if: This list should be tailored or added to meet the needs of the particular EA: Environmental & Historic Preservation Guidance, Real Estate, Lending or Insurance Professionals, State, Local, Tribal or Territorial Governments, National Incident Management System (NIMS), Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS), Environmental Planning & Historic Preservation, Preparedness Activities, Research & Webinars, Faith-Based & Volunteer Partnership Resources, National Business Emergency Operations Center, Consequences of Not Following NEPA Process, National Environmental Policy Act Repository, The environment where the action is to take place, An equal and unbiased analysis of how each alternative would impact that environment. This list avoids the use of long agency names in the document. The Bureau of Land Management and the DOE's Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) put together an EIS that looks at the potential environmental impacts of a proposal to build 305 miles of 500-kV transmission line from northeast Oregon to southwest Idaho. Some states, such as California, have adopted similar requirements for their taxpayer-funded projects. Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. A lock (LockA locked padlock) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Should not compare alternatives to promote or diminish one over the other. A final EIS is then published, which provides responses to substantive comments. How Alternative 1 will impact water quality in the project area. When the U.S. Department of Agriculture prepared an EA prior to building Willow Creek Cabins in Allegheny National Forest in 2005, for example, it resulted in a FONSI. Final action prior to implementation of the Proposed Action. The agency announces its Proposed Action, based on the feedback and analysis it received in earlier steps. If a particular alternative requires a specific federal (e.g. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.. An Environmental Assessment is a PLANNING DOCUMENT and a DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT that should state in clear, straight forward, and concise language: NOTE: To meet the requirements of certain laws, some sections must be included whether or not they are relevant. If an acronym is not in the document, don't list it. Alternative 4, 5, 6, etc. Laws that impose rules and regulations and set limits of pollution are called? PDF Alternatives Analysis - Frequently Asked Questions - Caltrans U.S. Department of Health and Human Service. How Alternative 2 will impact (and/or be impacted by) prime farm land. It may also include lesser issues relating to hazardous waste. List of Agencies, Organizations and Persons to Whom Copies of the Statement Are Sent. a. a description of the anticipated impact of the proposed project on the environment. If applicable, description of the Clean Water Act requirements and state standards. Sentences should be specific and to the point. If indirect (secondary) impacts are present, they should be addressed under each affected environment. Including and/or creates a multiple word search. The alternatives should be presented in the following order: Provide a description of each alternative considered and carried forward for detailed analysis in the next chapter. It may be transmitted to the Congress up to 30 days after the proposal. American Bar Association the name of the lead agency and any cooperating agency, the title of the proposed action and its location. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains the Environmental Impact Database, which includes records of all statements filed since 1987, and PDF copies of all statements filed since 2012. (vi) Serve to assess the environmental impact of proposed actions, rather than to justify decisions already made. Be easy to follow for comparison throughout the various affected environments. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS Before an environmental impact statement is prepared, the following procedures must be followed to determine what issues are to be addressed and in what depth: (1) Affected Federal, State, and local agencies and other interested persons are invited to participate by furnishing written views and information, or at a hearing if appropriate.
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