NEPA Register (ePlanning)

The Carson City District Office has implemented an electronic and searchable database called ePlanning. This database enables users to search for a specific project/NEPA action by name, or search through a larger database of projects on a State-wide or BLM-wide basis.

The NEPA register can be found at: https://www.blm.gov/epl-front-office/eplanning/nepa/nepa_register.do  Categorical exclusions and determination of NEPA adequacy completed since March 2011 can be found by searching the NEPA register.

Projects Currently Available through ePlanning and Available for Public Review Coyote Canyon South Geothermal Exploration Project EA - public comments due October 24, 2012.

On-going projects started prior to ePlanning:

Mining Projects
Isabella Pearl Gold Mine & Processing Facility EA (2011)

The NEPA Archive includes: Projects that have completed the public comment period; or Projects that a Decision has been signed on. Click here to access the NEPA Archive.

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) establishes a public, interdisciplinary framework for Federal decision-making and ensures that agencies (BLM and all other agencies) take environmental factors into account when considering Federal actions.  NEPA does not mandate protection of the environment.  Instead, it requires agencies to follow a process in making decisions and to disclose the information/data that was used to support those decisions.  For a detailed description of this process, please link here.

The levels of analysis are:

Categorical Exclusions (CX) - a CX is used for an action that has been determined to no have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment, therefore  neither and EA or EIS is required.

Determination of NEPA Adequacy (DNA) - a DNA is used when an action is in conformance with the land use plan and has been adequately analyzed in an existing EA or EIS.

Environmental Assessment (EA) - the purpose of an EA is to determine if an EIS level analysis is needed. The EA analyzes impacts to the quality of the human environment, serves as a vehicle for interdisciplinary review of the proposal, identifies appropriate mitigation measures, and facilitates the preparation of an EIS when one is necessary.

All EA's will be made available for a 30-day public review and comment period.  Afterwards, the Authorized Official will sign a Finding of No Significant Impact and Decision Record.  This decision is subject to a 30-day appeal period.

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) - this level of analysis is conducted for major Federal actions, which significantly affect the quality of the human environment.  All draft EIS's will be available for a minimum 30-day public review period, and will be available for a 30-day period for the Final EIS, prior to the BLM issuing a Record of Decision.

For more information contact:

Planning and Environmental Coordinators
Name	Office	Phone Number
Brian L. Buttazoni	Sierra Front Field Office	775-885-6004
Steve "Chip" Kramer	Stillwater Field Office	775-885-6005
Angelica Rose	Stillwater Field Office	775-885-6008