Environmental Impact Analysis

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Environmental Impact Analysis

• Background and Regulatory Concepts

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What is EIA-Wikipedia

• Assessment of the likely positive and/or negative
  influence a project may have on the environment
• Identifying, predicting, evaluating and
  mitigating ? the biophysical, social, and other
  relevant effects of development proposals prior
  to major decisions being taken and commitments
  made.
• Ensure that decision-makers (have the proper
  information and incentive to) consider
  environmental impacts before deciding whether to
  proceed with new projects.

Sourcehttp//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_
impact_assessment Accessed January, 2007
3
Some History

• Pioneered by US Laws
• NHPA (1965), NEPA (1969)
• Now an international process
• Countries
• UN Policies
• World Bank
• We will focus on NEPA and Washingtons SEPA law

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NEPA Goals

• Promote federal efforts to prevent or eliminate
  damage to the environment
• Ensure that federal decision makers take
  environmental actions into account when making
  decisions.
• NEPA process includes full range of activities to
  evaluate the environmental impacts of a proposed
  action.
• NEPA is a procedural statute and does not dictate
  a decision or require elevation of environmental
  concerns over other pertinent considerations.

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NEPA Process
Categorical Exclusion?
No
YES
Yes
Significant Impact ?
Unknown
Significant impact
Listed CE
Documented CE
Environmental Assessment
Notice of Intent Scoping Process
Draft EIS
Coordination and analysis as needed
No significant impacts
Public Comment
Document appropriately
Final EIS
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)
Record of Decision (ROD)
Agency Action
Agency Action
Agency Action
Sourcehttp//www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/LGS/docs/SLA
PDC_Conference_Notes/Environmental.ppt Accessed
January, 2007
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NEPA Documents

• Categorical Exclusion (CE)
• Environmental Assessment (EA)
• Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)
• Notice of Intent (NOI)
• Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
• Draft, Final
• Record of Decision (ROD)

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Requirements for an EIS(some are also in EA)

• Short, concise, stream-lined, integrated with
  other documents
• Rely on existing information where possible
  (incorporation and adoption)
• Clearly and concisely discuss environmental
  issues
• Consider reasonable range of alternatives
  including no impact
• Consider cumulative impacts
• Direct and indirect effects
• Tiering

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Comparison of NEPA SEPA