Keys to efficient development of useful environmental documents

Final ReportPDFManualDOT-VNTSC-FTA-07-03FTA-MA-26-1023-2007.1TPA2/EV869Environmental impact analysisEnvironmental policyPublic policyDocumentsComplianceUnited States. Federal Transit AdministrationBausch, CarlJohn A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (U.S.)NTL-ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT-ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTNTL-ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT-Environment ImpactsNTL-ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT-Air QualityNTL-PLANNING AND POLICY-PLANNING AND POLICYVolpe National Transportation Systems Center, Technical Reference CenterNational Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents\ue2\u20ac\u201denvironmental impact statements and assessments\ue2\u20ac\u201dinform agencydecisionmaking and let the public know about anticipated effects of a proposed Federal action. The fundamental purposes andprinciples of efficient, effective Federal impact statement preparation are set forth in the Council on Environmental Quality\ue2\u20ac\u2122simplementing regulations and guidance that have been in existence for nearly three decades. These implementing regulationsstress the need for environmental documents to focus on considerations that are truly useful to decisionmakers and the public.Over the years, however, a tendency to create excessively long, opaque, and costly environmental impact statements andassessments has surfaced. Instead of describing in reasonable and comprehensible terms the substance of a proposed project\ue2\u20ac\u2122spurpose and need, alternatives considered, and potential environmental impacts, these documents are now often sources ofconfusion and delay in project approval and implementation.To facilitate improvement in the clarity, analytical value, and overall quality of environmental documents for transit projects, theFederal Transit Administration is reexamining its guidance on and practices for environmental documentation. This handbook isintended as a tool to assist in achieving compliance, utility, and practicality when preparing environmental documents