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NEPA Public Review and
EPA’s Mandate from Section 309 CAA
Chapter 2 Module 4
HO #s 5 & 9
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Module Objective
LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The student will acquire a basic understanding of the NEPA reviews and how they fit within the ongoing civil works review processes.
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Scientific Integrity
Reviews target many things: Technical Adequacy should not be one of them. To avoid such occurrence you should: Ensure Professional Integrity of Analysis Identify & Certify Methodologies used and
include descriptions in document appendices Reference Scientific Sources Use Best Science Promote Cooperating Agencies
(40 CFR § 1502.24)
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Important EPA Review Concerns
Water Quality Air Quality Ground Water/sole source aquifers Wetlands Hazardous waste issues Environmental Justice Cumulative Impacts
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Circulation & Public Review
Regulatory Basis 40 CFR 1503.1 ”obtain comments of agencies
having jurisdiction by law.” 40 CFR Ch V. NEPA Implementation
Procedures FR Vol. 49. No. 247, Friday Dec 21, 1984
Appendix III; Federal & State Agency Offices for Receiving and Commenting on Other Agencies Environmental Documents.
40 CFR 1503.2 “duty to comment.”
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Circulation & Requirements for Public Review
Federal Register /Vol. 76, No. 10 /Friday, January 14, 2011 Amended EIS Filing System An EIS must be filed with the Environmental Protection
Agency in Washington, DC. EPA then places a Notice of Availability (NOA) in the
Federal Register. An EA can also be circulated. However, a NOA for
an EAs is not published in the Federal Register ! Any person, organization or agency requesting a
copy can review the document.
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Public Review Time Frames Publication of NOA starts review times 45 days for the DEIS. 30 days for the FEIS. Minimum of 90 days from DEIS NOA to
signing a ROD. EAs typically have a 30 day public review
period until FONSI is signed (see ER 200-2-2 for specifics regarding civil works planning documents)
30 Day State & Agency Review**This is an Agency imposed review not NEPA
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NEPA/COE Process Flow Chart
45 days 30 days
yes
no
unknown
yesyes
no
Federal Action
Federal Action
IssueDEIS
IssueDEIS
IssueFEIS
IssueFEIS
PrepareEA
PrepareEA
IssueDraft
FONSI
IssueDraft
FONSI
IssueROD
IssueROD
ImplementAction
ImplementActionCATEXCATEX
Issue NOI & Conduct
Scoping
Issue NOI & Conduct
Scoping
Need EnvReview?
Need EnvReview?
Sign. EnvEffects?
Sign. EnvEffects?
Sign. EnvEffects?
Sign. EnvEffects?
30 DAYS
* S&A Review
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The EPA Review Process
Section 309 of the Clean Air Act, “the Administrator of EPA shall review and comment in writing” on the draft EIS.
Does not apply to EAs! EPA provides a rating of the project’s
impacts and an evaluation of the adequacy of the analysis.
33,600 EISs were reviewed from 1970-2007.
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History of Section 309 CAA 1970
Publication of EPA’s review of the NEPA document for the proposed Supersonic Transport Aircraft (SST) was being held by DOT.
DOT believed NEPA had no explicit public disclosure requirements.
Senator Edmund Muskie sponsored Section 309 requiring public release of NEPA comments.
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Rating System
LO EC EO EU* 1 2 3*
Lack of objections
Environmental concerns
Environmental objections
Environmentally unsatisfactory
Adequate
Insufficient information
Inadequate Ratings are combined, for example: EC-2.
*Adverse Ratings require HQ Approval
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EPA’s EIS Rating System
Project LO- No identified potential impacts requiring
substantive changes to proposal. EC- Impacts identified that must be avoided.
Corrective measures may require project changes. EU- Significant adverse impacts identified that are
unsatisfactory from public health or policy standpoint. If not corrected in the FEIS, the proposal will be recommended for referral to CEQ.
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EPA EIS’s Rating System (cont) Document
1 – Adequate. Good to go! 2 –Insufficient Information. More information is needed or
review has identified other alternatives within scope of DEIS. The additional information or analysis should be included in the FEIS.
3 – Inadequate. Seriously lacking in information or analysis to address potentially significant environmental impacts. Other alternatives outside spectrum of EIS needed. The draft EIS does not meet NEPA and/or Section 309 requirements.
Potential Referral if not corrected and reissued as a DEIS.
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Incomplete or Unavailable Information
Relevant to Study
Reasonable Foreseeable Significant Adverse Impacts
Essential to a Reasoned Choice Among Alternatives
(40 CFR § 1502.22)
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Incomplete or Unavailable InformationIF: Cost is exorbitant Means are not known
THEN: Follow 4 step process:
State information is not available State why it is relevant Summarize existing credible information Make your best estimate of impacts
(40 CFR § 1502.22) (Only amendment to Guidelines)
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Consultation follow-up of DEIS Ratings
Category Lead Agency Pre-notification
Post-Draft EIS
Follow-up
LO
EC-1, EC-2
EO-1, EO-2
None
None
Phone Call
None
Phone Call
Meeting
EO-3, EU-1
EU-2, EU-3
Meeting
Meeting
Meeting
Meeting
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EIS Ratings 2004-2008
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0.7%EU Draft EISs
All Agencies
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Referral of an EIS
Occurs when interagency disagreement over issues of unsatisfactory environmental effects or analysis.
Issues are not resolved with the lead agency.
The disagreement is referred to CEQ. 1974-2001: Total 27 referrals, 9 of which
were COE 34,152 EIS filed since 2008
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Then What!
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CEQ Response Determines if submitted information supports a
request for referral. Historically, referrals discouraged if the referring
agency has authority to address the environmentally unsatisfactory issue.
Publishes its findings, including a finding that the referral is not supported by submitted information.
Submits its recommendation to the Agency or the President for action.
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How to Avoid Referral
Good Scoping effort to identify issues. Take advantage of cooperating agency’s expertise. Use sound scientific analyses and avoid taking positions not supported by sound science Maintain good coordination with other interested Federal agencies.
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Why Avoid Referral
Saves time & money!
Saves time & money!
Affects agency credibility!
Affects agency credibility!
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COE Document Review District Quality Control (DQC)
Managed and conducted in home District by staff not directly involved with the study.
Focus is on meeting objectives of the PMP
Agency Technical Review (ATR) Conducted by USACE outside of home District; for Planning
products, managed by PCX Focus on Planning criteria, principles, laws etc
DQC and ATR results are included in the Draft EIS and are subject to Public/Agency Reviews
Promote Quality Decision Documents Support Chief of Engineer Decision Process.
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COE Document Review (cont)
Independent External Peer Review (IEPR) Conducted by an outside eligible organization (OEO)
- IRS 501(c)(3). Legislative basis in WRDA 2007 & Information
Quality Act 2001 (OMB directed to issue guidelines) Implemented by EC 1165-2-209 Applies to Feasibility and other Reports
requiring Congressional Authorization and CAP 205 &103 projects & those w/EISs or other triggers.
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Other Concurrent Civil Works Review Requirements
Independent External Peer Review ( cont) Focus on Scientific Information/technical issues
associated with planning for civil works projects No Policy or agency authority review Results are posted on district website for public
review Policy and Legal Compliance Reviews
Focus on a legally defensible document Safety Assurance Review
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COE Document Review (cont)
EC 1105-2-406 Civil Works Review Board March 2005 Replaces old Board of River & Harbors Establishes the readiness of Chief’s
Report for State and Agency Review Supported by IEPR, DQC & ATR
Chair Deputy Commanding General for Civil Works:
1. Director Civil Works 2. Civil Works CoP
3. One RIT (not from MSC) 4. Other CoPs
5. IEPR Representative 6. PCX Representative
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Old NEPA and the COE Review Process
PMP RP
FSCAFSM AFB
F RptCWRB
S&A ReviewChief’s Rpt
DFRpt
NOA 45 D NOA 30F
DQC
ATR
IEPR
RIT/OWPR PCR
NEPA
905(b)
Civil Works Process Steps 4-12
ASAOMB
Stars mark the review milestone determined by Review Plan
Web Page
LCR
NOI Scoping
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HQUSACE Smart Planning Process
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NEPA/COE Review & Smart Planning Process PMP RP
FSCA
DQ/ATR/ IEPR/OWPR
NEPA
905(b)
Stars mark the milestones at: http://planning.usace.army.mil/toolbox/smart.cfm
LCR
NOI
Congressional Committees
NOA 45 D
Chief’s RptMilestone
ASAOMB
NOA 30 D
VT IPRs
DCG-CEO/ OWPR ( ASA by invitation)
ScopingCharrette
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ER 200-2-2 EIS Time lineTIME
Variable
30-90 days
90-270 days
30-60 DAYS
45 days
30-45 days
30-60 DAYS
30 days
Wait for WRDA
Propose action
Scoping
HQUSACE/MSC/RIT Policy Review
NOI
Filing of DEIS for concurrent HQ/Public Review
Prepare DEIS
Incorporate Comments
Washington Level Review FEIS filed for concurrent S& A Public Review
ROD Signed
ASA Review & Coordination with OMB
Send Rpt to Congress
30-60 days
30 days Respond to CmtsChief’s Rpt to ASA
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AR 2-00-2-2 EIS Time Line
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Take Away Points Public Review is a required part of the process. EPA’s review authority derives from the CAA.
Not based on the NEPA Not part of CAA regulatory role
Good Science forms the basis for an LO rating! Scoping helps identify relevant issues! CEQ is the ultimate arbitrator Agency review processes augment NEPA !
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Practitioners Guide to NEPA
“The NEPA Book: A Step-By-Step Guide on How to Comply with the National Environmental Policy Act" Ronald E. Bass, Albert I. Herson, Kenneth M.
Bogan 2001 (Second Edition) Solano Press, 475 pages $65.00
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NEPA Certification Program
Representative Courses Implementation of the NEPA Preparing & Documenting Environmental Impact
Analysis Accounting for Cumulative Effects in the NEPA Process Scoping, Public Involvement and Environmental Justice Socioeconomic Impact Analysis Under NEPA The Law & NEPA
Duke Environmental Leadership ProgramNEPA Certificate (Signed by Chair, CEQ)
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NEPA Certification Program
Representative Courses (12 hrs. Required) How to Manage the NEPA Process and Write Effective
NEPA Documents (2 hrs) Clear Writing for NEPA Specialists (2 hrs) Reviewing NEPA Documents (2 hrs) NEPA Cumulative Impacts (1 hr) Socioeconomic Impact Analysis (1hr) NEPA & Climate Change (1hr)
Utah State University National Environmental Policy Act Graduate Certificate Program
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Duke Environmental Leadership Program NEPA Certificate
http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/del/executiveed/courses/implementatin-of-nepa
Utah State University National Environmental Policy Act Graduate Certificate Program.
http://www.cnr.usu.edu/htm/students/grad-degrees/nepa
The Shipley Groupwww.shipleygroup.com
NEPA Certification Program
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NEPA Review Check List
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See Reference Files on Class Disk