National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)

This Act mandates all federal agencies to review the effects of their actions on the natural, cultural, and human environments. Actions that may necessitate review include such things as the issuing of permits, promulgating new regulations, and financing of projects.

aci consulting has experience in the preparation of the necessary environmental reviews including the least in-depth investigations (a Categorical Exclusion and/ or Findings of No Significant Impacts), to more in-depth Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs). For more robust investigations, aci investigators establish a biophysical and socioeconomic baseline for comparison to the potential impacts of the proposed action. These environmental parameters are addressed in varying degrees at the discretion of the federal agency, given its perception of the severity of negative impacts associated with the proposed action.

aci consulting is experienced in the NEPA process and the preparation of EIS’s at both state and federal levels. EIS’s constitute the most in-depth investigations of potential impacts outlined in the NEPA process. An EIS would assess the potential direct, secondary, and cumulative impacts of a proposed activity on the natural environment (wetlands, waters, wildlife, endangered and threatened species, prime farmland, air, and noise); the cultural environment (prehistoric and historic sites); and the socio-economic environment. The EIS process also involves public comment periods and hearings. The preparation of and EIS requires direct and ongoing involvement of federal and state agencies and public stakeholders for the duration of preparation.