What Is An Environmental Impact Statement?

If a project or a plan will potentially involve either federal funding or a significant federal action then a federal Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) might be required. An Environmental Impact Statement is a document that contains a thorough overview about a proposed action. The purpose of the process is to help assure that any significant negative impacts that might result are avoided if possible.

A federal EIS is a report that is an outline of whatever the predicted environmental effects would be for a project or action in which the federal government will be involved. An EIS also contains discussions of the effects of conceivable alternative actions or non-actions. That's because one of the considerations is what would transpire if no action is taken.

These impact statements are required even if the only involvement that the federal government has in a project would be limited to issuing a license for a facility or an activity.

Environmental Impact Statements are supposed to identify cumulative impacts.

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 1969 is that act that requires that an Environmental Impact Statement is filed in certain situations. Section 102(2)(C) is the part of the bill that notes the requirements for environmental impact statements.

In addition, NEPA established a three member Council on Environmental Quality. This board advises the President of the United States on matters concerning the environment. It also reviews federal programs to make sure that they are consistent with the environmental policies of the US.

The Council on Environmental Quality, in 1971, established content guidelines and procedure for environmental impact statements.

Overall, the National Environmental Policy Act process includes:

• An EIS. An EIS is proactive. It is a rigorous, thorough process of evaluation. It is a project's most in depth evaluation.

• An EA. An EA also is proactive. Although an Environmental Assessment is comprehensive and thorough it is not as rigorous as an Environmental Impact Statement. In addition, the scope of an Environmental Assessment is for projects that are at least five acres.

The purpose of both an Environmental Assessment (EA) and an Environmental Impact Statement is to:

• Consider the impacts of a proposed action or proposed actions on the environment

• Evaluate possible alternative actions

• Disclose the impacts and actions to the public

• Integrate and involve the public in the decision making process.

In addition, a Record of Environmental Consideration is often performed if a project deviates from its Master Plan or if it is used as an addendum to an EA. A Record of Consideration is a coordinated, proactive evaluation with minimal impact.


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