National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Documents

Environmental Impact Statements & Environmental Assessments

We perform National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review for several categories of activities. A review results in an environmental impact statement (EIS) or environmental assessment (EA).

NEPA requires federal agencies to incorporate into their decision-making processes, and carefully consider, the impacts of their proposed actions on the environment. These action agencies also must submit their proposed project plans to other federal agencies and to the public for review and comment. This is to ensure that the public has a role in the decision-making process and in implementing the decision.

NEPA also established the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to act in an advisory capacity for the President on environmental matters. CEQ established regulations to assist federal agencies in implementing the act during the planning phases of any federal action. These regulations, with specific federal agency NEPA implementation procedures, help to ensure that the environmental impacts of any proposed decisions are fully considered, and that appropriate steps are taken to mitigate potential environmental impacts. More information is available at the CEQ NEPANet site.

Federal agencies are encouraged to apply the NEPA process at the earliest possible time to ensure consideration of potential or actual environmental impacts. The National Environmental Policy Act specifies that a systematic and interdisciplinary approach, including consideration of natural and social sciences and environmental design arts, should be used in planning, evaluation and decision-making. NEPA is probably best known for the environmental impact statement, or EIS, a decision-making tool. However, the review role is equally important.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides guidance and tools to assist with agency implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act.