The NEPA threshold question revisited: Proposed'' actions and continuing'' activities
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Hansen Environmental Consultants, Englewood, CO (United States)
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires Federal agencies to include a detailed statement'' in every recommendation or report on proposals'' for major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.'' Unless the three elements of a proposal are present (major, federal, and action), preparation of a detailed statement is not required. This paper addresses the practical decision-making dilemma that attends determinations of what types of Federal activities meet the NEPA threshold test under what kinds of varying circumstances. The authors' experience with the US Dept. of Energy (DOE) NEPA documentation is used to discuss how decisions may be made to determine whether a proposed action qualifies for a categorical exclusion'' or whether it requires preparation of an environmental assessment (EA) or an environmental impact statement (EIS). The concept of new'' actions versus continuing'' actions which may be bounded'' by previous NEPA documentation is also discussed. A dichotomous key for separating or combining Federal action'' candidates for different levels of NEPA documentation is provided. Leading court opinions on the threshold question and related issues are discussed in lay terms.
- OSTI ID:
- 6107773
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-930523-; CODEN: EPROD9
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Professional; (United States), Vol. Supplement; Conference: 18. National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP) annual conference on current and future priorities for environmental management, Raleigh, NC (United States), 24-26 May 1993; ISSN 0191-5398
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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290300* - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment
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