Environmental Impact Assessment Flashcards
6 cards from real CES practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Environmental Impact Assessment flashcards as text
What is the purpose of a 'scoping' process in EIS preparation?
Answer: To identify the significant issues and range of alternatives to be addressed in the EIS
Scoping is an early, open process that identifies the significant environmental issues, defines the scope of analysis, and determines which alternatives and impacts the EIS should address, often involving public input.
What is a Record of Decision (ROD) in the NEPA process?
Answer: The final document stating the agency's decision, the alternatives considered, and the mitigation measures adopted
The ROD is issued after the final EIS and documents the agency's decision: which alternative was selected, why, what mitigation measures will be adopted, and how the agency addressed environmental concerns.
What is environmental mitigation in the context of impact assessment?
Answer: Measures taken to avoid, minimize, rectify, reduce, or compensate for adverse environmental impacts
Mitigation encompasses a hierarchy of approaches: avoiding impacts, minimizing them, rectifying damage, reducing impacts over time, and compensating for unavoidable impacts through replacement or substitution.
What is a 'baseline study' in environmental impact assessment?
Answer: An inventory of existing environmental conditions before a proposed project begins
A baseline study documents existing environmental conditions (air quality, water quality, wildlife, noise levels, etc.) in the project area before any action begins, providing the reference point against which impacts are measured.
Under NEPA, what triggers the requirement to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement?
Answer: A proposed major federal action that may significantly affect the quality of the human environment
NEPA requires an EIS for major federal actions significantly affecting the human environment. 'Federal action' includes projects requiring federal permits, funding, or approval, not just projects directly undertaken by federal agencies.
What role does the EPA play in the NEPA review process?
Answer: EPA reviews and comments on EISs prepared by other federal agencies and rates their adequacy
Under Section 309 of the Clean Air Act, EPA is required to review and publicly comment on EISs prepared by other agencies, rating both the environmental impacts of the proposal and the adequacy of the EIS.