Environmental Impact Assessment Flashcards

Which document is issued at the end of an Environmental Assessment when the agency finds the action will not significantly affect the human environment?

Answer: Finding of No Significant Impact

A FONSI documents the agency's determination that an EIS is not required.

How does a federal agency formally announce that it will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement?

Answer: Notice of Intent published in the Federal Register

The NOI in the Federal Register starts the EIS process and the scoping period.

What qualifies an agency to serve as a cooperating agency on an EIS?

Answer: It has jurisdiction by law or special expertise regarding the proposal

Cooperating agencies have jurisdiction by law or special expertise on environmental issues involved.

What is a categorical exclusion under NEPA?

Answer: A category of actions that normally do not individually or cumulatively have significant environmental effects

Categorical exclusions are established by agencies for routine actions with no normally significant effect, subject to extraordinary circumstances review.

What is the primary purpose of scoping in the NEPA process?

Answer: To identify significant issues and the range of alternatives to analyze

Scoping focuses the analysis on significant issues and reasonable alternatives early.

Which document records the agency's decision, the alternative selected, and mitigation commitments after a Final EIS?

Answer: Record of Decision

The ROD states the decision, alternatives considered, and adopted mitigation and monitoring.

When must an agency prepare a supplemental EIS?

Answer: When substantial changes to the proposal or significant new circumstances or information bear on environmental concerns

Substantial project changes or significant new information relevant to impacts trigger supplementation.