NEPA

Instructions – Developing an EA Template

For Assignment 1, you will review an Environmental Assessment (EA) which is provided. I want you to critically evaluate each major section (e.g., “1”) and each first-level subsection (e.g., “1.1”) of the EA. I am not interested in what is written under each section per se, but I am interested in you understanding the type of information that is presented and why it is presented. Ask yourself what is the purpose of this section and why is it necessary in the overall EA analysis? For example, Section 1.1 presents the background information on the coal mine that is pertinent to the overall EA analysis. The purpose of this assignment is to familiarize yourself with EAs and the kinds of analysis that occurs in an EA. The length of the assignment should be between 10-15 pages.  The UCOL Format ant Style Guide must be followed. This document can be downloaded from the Home page. A title page, abstract and table of contents are needed. These pages are not included in the 15-page limitation. A reference section is needed if citations are included in your analysis. Make sure that you adhere to the Turabian 9th Edition author-date style.

I want you to be familiar with EAs before we jump into studying NEPA policy. You can understand NEPA policy, but you really do not know NEPA until you have prepared EAs and EISs. Please prepare a summary of your in-depth review section by section. So, for each section, tell me what the actual content is and then evaluate why this information is important to the overall EA analysis. The idea is to build a template that you will use as you prepare your EA for Assignment 5.

Assignment #1 Example

A couple of students have requested an example out the template called for in Assignment 1.  The following is the template for section 1 that a former student developed.  I add on the title page, abstract, and table of contents that the UCOL Format and Style Requirements illustrates. Please read the instructions carefully for Assignment 1. Ask questions if needed.

Title Page

Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction
Background: The background of the agency and/or organization and all pertaining operations are described in the background. Also, a brief summary describing the reason for why an environmental assessment (EA) is needed.

Purpose and Need for Action: Explains why the proposed action is needed and the purpose the action will serve.
Authorizing Actions: Briefly describes what agency has authority in granting the action.

Agency Responsibilities: Details responsibilities for all agencies involved in the proposed action. Each agency is listed with descriptions on how and why the agency is involved. Includes regulations and policies the organization needs to adhere to pertaining to each listed agency.

Current Land Use Plan and Relationship to Statutes, Regulations, and Plans: Introduction should include a description of the location the proposed action would take place including the intention use of the area. This should explain that the proposed action is not in conflict with any statutes, regulations, and plans relating to the use of the area.