The NEPA threshold question revisited: Proposed'' actions and continuing'' activities

Conference · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Environmental Professional; (United States)

OSTI ID:6107773

Wolff, T A ^[1]; Hansen, R P ^[2]

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1. Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
2. 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--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Environmental Professional; (United States) Journal Volume: Supplement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
COMPLIANCE
DECISION MAKING
DOCUMENT TYPES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
LAWS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
US DOE
US NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT
US ORGANIZATIONS