When Must An Agency Prepare An Environmental Impact Statement?

When the agency does not know or is uncertain whether significant impacts are expected , the agency should prepare an EA to determine if there are significant environmental effects. 19 CEQ

When Must an environmental impact statement be prepared and what must it discuss?

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) specifies when an environmental impact statement (EIS) must be prepared. NEPA regulations require, among other things, federal agencies to include discussion of a proposed action and the range of reasonable alternatives in an EIS .

When Must an environmental impact statement be prepared under NEPA and what must it contain?

(10) An environmental impact statement must contain a discussion of any inconsistency between the proposed action and any State or local law, ordinance, or approved plan ; and must contain a description of the manner and extent to which the proposed action will be reconciled with the law, ordinance, or approved plan.

When must an EIS be prepared?

(1) A program EIS is required if the environmental evaluation reveals that actions carried out under the program have individually insignificant but cumulatively significant environmental impacts .

What is an environmental impact statement when is it necessary?

Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) 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 . The regulatory requirements for an EIS are more detailed and rigorous than the requirements for an EA.

What must an environmental impact statement include?

An EIS outlines the status of the environment in the affected area, provides a baseline for understanding the potential consequences of the proposed project, identifies positive and negative effects for the environment , and offers alternative actions, including inaction, in relation to the proposed project.

How do you create an environmental impact statement?

1. An Introduction including a statement of the Purpose and Need of the Proposed Action.
2. A description of the Affected Environment.
3. A Range of Alternatives to the proposed action. Alternatives are considered the “heart” of the EIS.
4. An analysis of the environmental impacts of each of the possible alternatives.

What is environmental impact statement and how is it done?

Introduction. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is a structured analytical report (a document that examines various issues relevant to a particular topic). It is prepared when a development may significantly impact the quality of the human environment —the area’s air, water, or land environments.

How much does an environmental impact statement Cost?

It depends on the project. According to the DOE, the median EIS contractor cost was $1.4 million. The typical environmental impact statement costs between $250,000 to $2 million based on governmentwide cost estimates.

What is the benefit of an environmental impact statement quizlet?

An environmental impact statement documents the scope and purpose of the project . Also, it lists alternative approaches to the project and describes the impact of each one. The existence of an endangered species in an area would require an EIS for the use of either privately owned or federally owned lands.

What is the EIS process?

An EIS is prepared in a series of steps: gathering government and public comments to define the issues that should be analyzed in the EIS (a process known as “scoping”); preparing the draft EIS; receiving and responding to public comments on the draft EIS ; and preparing the final EIS.

What is the difference between EIS and EIA?

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process for anticipating the effects on the environment caused by a development. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is the document produced as a result of that process.

Is an EIS required?

Resource projects considered to be a relatively high environmental risk will be required to submit an EIS, unless: the application relates to a ‘coordinated project’ under the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971 (SDPWO Act), or. an EIS under the EP Act has already been submitted to the department.

What is an example of environmental impact?

In other words it is the effect that people’s actions have on the environment. ... For example, when volatile organic compounds are released into the environment, the effect or impact is pollution in the form of smog , in this case being negative.

What are the steps in EIA process?

1. Scoping. Establish the boundaries of the EIA, set the basis of the analyses that will be conducted at each stage, describe the project alternatives and consult the affected public. ...
2. Impact Assessment & Mitigation. ...
3. Impact Management. ...
4. The EIA Report. ...
5. Review & Licensing. ...
6. Monitoring.

How do you ask for environmental impact study?

1. Visit EPA’s EIS Database which contains an electronic version of all EISs published since October 1, 2012.
2. Contact the preparing agencies “contact person” which is listed in EPA’s EIS Database.
3. Contact the Northwestern University Transportation Library.