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Title: An approach to defining significance under NEPA: A practitioner's perspective

Abstract

The term significant impact'' has a specific meaning and intent when used in documents prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Often the word significant is avoided because of the implications related to its use. Significant adverse impacts discovered in the analysis performed for an EA can trigger the next level of NEPA scrutiny, the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This paper looks at using methodologies with a prescribed set of criteria that measure factors including the magnitude, extent, duration and frequency, and likelihood of impacts related to a proposed action. Examples of this approach, and a rationale for placing an emphasis on developing the criteria for certain factors will be presented. The paper will also demonstrate the pragmatism of using a structured methodology versus professional opinion'' in the determination of significance.

Authors:
 [1]
  1. Dynamic Corp., Rockville, MD (United States)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
6263042
Report Number(s):
CONF-930523-
Journal ID: ISSN 0191-5398; CODEN: EPROD9
Resource Type:
Conference
Journal Name:
Environmental Professional; (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 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; Journal ID: ISSN 0191-5398
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY AND ECONOMY; ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS; DECISION MAKING; US NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT; COMPLIANCE; ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS; DOCUMENT TYPES; LAWS; 290300* - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment, Health, & Safety

Citation Formats

McMillen, M C. An approach to defining significance under NEPA: A practitioner's perspective. United States: N. p., 1993. Web.
McMillen, M C. An approach to defining significance under NEPA: A practitioner's perspective. United States.
McMillen, M C. 1993. "An approach to defining significance under NEPA: A practitioner's perspective". United States.
@article{osti_6263042,
title = {An approach to defining significance under NEPA: A practitioner's perspective},
author = {McMillen, M C},
abstractNote = {The term significant impact'' has a specific meaning and intent when used in documents prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Often the word significant is avoided because of the implications related to its use. Significant adverse impacts discovered in the analysis performed for an EA can trigger the next level of NEPA scrutiny, the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This paper looks at using methodologies with a prescribed set of criteria that measure factors including the magnitude, extent, duration and frequency, and likelihood of impacts related to a proposed action. Examples of this approach, and a rationale for placing an emphasis on developing the criteria for certain factors will be presented. The paper will also demonstrate the pragmatism of using a structured methodology versus professional opinion'' in the determination of significance.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6263042}, journal = {Environmental Professional; (United States)},
issn = {0191-5398},
number = ,
volume = Supplement,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1993},
month = {Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1993}
}

Conference:
Other availability
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