The systematic, reproducible and interdisciplinary identification, prediction and evaluation, mitigation and management of effects from a proposed development and its reasonable alternatives.
A brief version of an Environmental Impact Statement. (EA) A NEPA required document. An analysis of alternative actions and their predictable long and short- term environmental effects. The public has 30 days to submit comments on the EA's for timber sales.
The critical appraisal of the likely effects of a proposed project, activity, or policy on the environment, both positive and negative.
study to forecast the positive and negative effects of a particular project on the environment, and to recommend measures to mitigate possible negative effects.
A site evaluation or investigation conducted for purposes of determining the extent, if any, of contamination on a property. An assessment can be informal or formal, and can consist of several stages. For example, a Phase I assessment, or basic study of possible contamination at a site, is limited to collecting information about past and present site use and inspecting present conditions. A Phase II assessment can follow up a Phase I assessment with sampling and analysis of suspected contaminated areas of a site. A Phase III assessment can either follow up a Phase II assessment by gathering information on the exact extent of the contamination or by preparing plans and alternatives for site cleanup.
An environmental assessment, a study that can be required pursuant to federal law prior to drilling a well.
an investigation that yields a written document that states and the possible environmental effects of a proposed plan, project, or action.An environmental assessment is usually done in the early stages of planning, before much work or effort has been expended on a project.If you're planning on making repairs, or are planning on building extra property on foreclosed land or property that you have purchased, it is important to do environmental assessment before you buy.This can help you determine whether your project is feasible or not.
a review process for proposed federal, federally funded or federally licensed or sponsored projects or actions. An environmental assessment determines whether an action or project is environmentally significant and whether an environmental impact statement (EIS) must be prepared.
An EA is a brief decision and public disclosure document which provides information on potential environmental effects of the proposed action and, if appropriate, its alternatives for determining whether to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). This document is required by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.
The assembling of information in relation to a proposed development which by virtue of its siting, design, size or scale would have a significant effect on the environment.
Evaluates the environmental impacts of a federal action in compliance with NEPA; prepared when an EIA may not be necessary. If the EA indicates that there may be significant impacts to the environment from the proposed action, an EAS is required. If no significant impact is identified in the EA, a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is documented and not further evaluation under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is required.
A detailed study of the reasonably foreseeable significant effects, both beneficial and adverse, of a product, service or process on the environment. Can be a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA), Life Cycle Cost (LCC) or another. Environmental effect Any direct or indirect impingement of activities, products and services of an organization upon the environment, whether adverse or beneficial. An environmental effect/impact is the consequence of an environmental intervention in an environmental system.
A systematic, documented, periodic and objective review by company management of facility operations and practices related to meeting environmental requirements. The assessment is a systematic, documented verification process of objectively obtaining and evaluating evidence to determine whether specified environmental activities, events, conditions, management systems, or information about these matters conform with selected criteria, and communicating the results of this process to management.
Studies the project's impact on wildlife, wetlands, cultural resources, farmland, water and air quality and other environmental issues.
a brief analysis of the specific details of the proposed action
a document concisely describing the need for the proposal, the environmental impacts of a proposed action, its alternatives and a list of agencies and persons consulted
a document performed for a project in which the significance of impacts on the environment is not clearly exhibited
an examination of projects, programs, policies, plans, or activities at the planning stage to ensure that before they are approved, the potential effects on the environment receive careful consideration
an examination of the environmental impacts of fishing activities authorised under a proposed fishery management strategy
a process used by decision-makers to predict, identify, assess and mitigate the potential impacts that a project might have on humans, flora and fauna and the environment
a public document that federal agen- cies prepare for the purpose of analyzing whether to prepare an environ- mental impact statement for a proposed project
a systematic process of identifying and evaluating the likely and significant positive and negative environmental impacts of an initiative on Canada
Identification and analysis of the impacts a development will have on the environment. Required for major development proposals.
A systematic approach for determining the potential environmental impacts of a proposed project. A tool used by decision makers to help them make informed judgements when evaluating proposed projects.
A systematic assessment of a project's effects on a wide range of environmental factors. Some identified projects must be subject to an environmental assessments and these are referred to in an Annex I of EC Directive 85/337/EEC. Projects listed in Annex II will need an environmental assessment only where they are likely to have significant environmental effects.
The method of determining the environmental impact of development proposal prior to the determination of a planning application.
is prepared for larger scale projects that do not meet the requirements for CE or those for which the significance of the environmental impact is not clearly established. Should environmental analysis and interagency review during the EA process find a project to have no significant impacts on the quality of the environment, a Finding Of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is issued. If it is found that the project will have significant impacts, an EIS must be prepared.
A document that includes a brief discussion of the environmental impacts of the proposed action and alternatives and provides sufficient evidence and analysis for determining whether to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement or a Finding of No Significant Impact. Environmental Impact Statement: A document that describes and evaluates the potentially significant impacts of major federal actions on human health and the environment from the proposed action and alternatives to the proposed action.
A planning tool which systematically identifies and assesses the environmental effects of proposed projects before they occur, with the aim of taking the potential effects into account in project decision-making before irrevocable decisions are made.
Compare? A preliminary, written, environmental analysis required by NEPA (see the Federal Law section) to determine whether a federal activity such as building airports or highways would significantly affect the environment; may require preparation of more detailed Environmental Impact Statement.
A comprehensive and systematic process designed to identify, analyze and evaluate the environmental effects of proposed projects.
A concise public document, prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, that briefly discusses the purpose and need for an action, alternatives to such action, and provides sufficient evidence and analysis of impacts to determine whether to prepare an environmental impact statement or finding of no significant impact (40 CFR 1508.9).
An Environmental Assessment (EA) is prepared when the significance of environmental impacts is not clearly known. EAs are intended to "briefly provide sufficient evidence and analysis for determining whether to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)." If it is determined at any point in the development of the EA that impacts are significant, then an EIS must be pursued. Alternately, if at any point during the EA process it is found that no significant impacts would occur as a result of the project, a Categorical Exclusion Evaluation (CEE) could be prepared, or the EA process could be completed with a "Finding of No Significant Impact" (FONSI) being issued.
A systematic method of determining the impact of a development project on the environment.
The EA is a concise public document that is prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to determine whether a federal action would significantly affect the environment and thus require preparation of a more detailed Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). It also Briefly provides sufficient evidence and analysis for determining whether to prepare an EIS or a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI); Aids in an agency's compliance with the NEPA when no EIS is necessary, which leads to a FONSI; and Facilitates preparation of an EIS when one is necessary.
Some types of development always need an EA as part of the planning application - these are known as Schedule 1 projects, and include such developments as an airport, a thermal power station, and a land fill site. Schedule 2 projects - a much longer list including pig rearing, extracting peat, glass making, ski-lifts and hotels - MAY need an EA. Such a project will need one if it will have significant environmental effects. Voluntary production of an Environmental Statement (ES) by the developer of a major project is often good practice.
EAs were authorized by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. They are concise, analytical documents prepared with public participation that determine if an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is needed for a particular project or action. If an EA determines an EIS is not needed, the EA becomes the document allowing agency compliance with NEPA requirements.
Environmental documentation prepared for Federal projects that are not eligible for a Categorical Exclusion Evaluation and do not appear to be of sufficient magnitude to require an EIS. An EA provides the analysis and documentation to determine if an EIS or a "Finding of No Significant Impact" (FONSI) should be prepared.
A comprehensive and systematic process designed to identify, analyse, and evaluate the environmental effects of a project in a public and participatory manner. Environmental assessment involves the use of technical experts, research and analysis, issue identification, specification of information requirements, data gathering and interpretation, impact prediction, development of mitigation proposals, external consultations, and report preparation and review. In this Handbook, the term "environmental assessment" is used synonymously with "environmental impact assessment," "impact assessment," etc. The International Association for Impact Assessment defines environmental impact assessment as the process of identifying, predicting, evaluating, and mitigating the biophysical, social, and other relevant effects of development proposals prior to major decisions being taken and commitments made.
An Environmental Assessment (EA) evaluates the consequences of a proposed action on the environment and recommends measures to minimize any potentially adverse affects. An EA is prepared when the environmental scoping process has determined that the project would not significantly affect the quality of the human environment.
A concise public document that a Federal agency prepares under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to provide sufficient evidence and analysis to determine whether a proposed agency action would require preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS) or a finding of no significant impact. A Federal agency may also prepare an EA to aid its compliance with NEPA when no EIS is necessary or to facilitate preparation of an EIS when one is necessary.
A public document for which a federal agency is responsible that serves to; (a) briefly provide sufficient evidence and analysis for determining whether to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement or a finding of no significant impact; (b) aid an agency's compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) when no Environmental Impact Statement is necessary; (c) Facilitate the preparation of a statement when one is necessary. An EA includes brief discussions of the need for the proposal and of the environmental impacts of the proposed action and other alternatives.
A statement prepared under the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), Section 102(2) (c). The EA represents a Federal agency's evaluation of the effects of a proposed action on the environment. Regulations relating to the preparation of an EA are published in FAA Order 5050.4A, Airport Environmental Handbook.
A public document required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) that identifies and analyzes activities that might affect the human and natural environment. An environmental assessment is a concise public document that provides sufficient evidence and analysis for determining whether to prepare an EIS, aids an agency's compliance with NEPA when no EIS is necessary, and facilitates preparation of an EIS when one is necessary.
A study to determine the potential impacts on the environment from a project as required by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.
Source: DSMC Contains an estimate of whether or not a proposed system will adversely affect the environment or be environmentally controversial, in which case an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is prepared.
A process designed to contribute pertinent environmental information to the decision-making process of forest management and other resource projects and programs. Évaluation environnementale
The purpose of environmental assessment is to ensure that the environmental effects of a project receive careful consideration before the proponent and responsible authorities take actions in connection with the project. Environmental assessment is intended to encourage proponents and responsible authorities to take actions and make decisions that promote sustainable development and thereby achieve a healthy environment and a healthy economy. An effective environmental assessment should offset, in a cost-effective manner, any irrevocable environmental damage that the project might otherwise cause.
A report subject to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) demonstrating than an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not needed for a specific set of actions. The EA can lead to a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).
A document that assesses an action that is not a categorical exclusion and does not clearly require the preparation of an environmental impact statement.
A written environmental analysis which is prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act to determine whether a proposed action would significantly affect the environment and thus require preparation of a more detailed environmental impact statement.
A concise public document which serves to (a) Briefly provide sufficient evidence and analysis for determining whether to prepare an EIS or a Finding of No Significant Impact; (b) Aid an agency compliance with NEPA when non EIS is necessary; (c) Facilitate preparation of an EIS when necessary.
a public document produced as part of the federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process that examines the significance of impacts of transportation projects in order to determine whether an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is necessary.
A document prepared early in a planning process that evaluates the potential environmental consequences of a project or activity. An assessment includes the same topical areas as an EIS, but only assesses the effects of a preferred action, and in less detail than an EIS. An EA results in a decision, based on an assessment of the degree of impact of an action, that an EIS is necessary, or that an action will have no significant effect and a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) can be made.
Professional evaluation of the presence or absence of hazardous wastes or other debris and its impact on the integrity of the land.
Used synonymously with 'Strategic Environmental Assessment' in this framework, an EA is a systematic process to identify and evaluate likely environmental effects of an initiative to ensure that they are fully considered and addressed from the earliest stage of decision-making.
The systematic consideration of social, economic, and environmental factors during policy, program and project development and decision making.
A concise public document for which a federal agency is responsible. An EA serves (1) to briefly provide enough evidence and analysis for determining whether to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) or a finding of no significant impact; and to aid an agencies compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act when no EIS is needed; and (3) to facilitate preparation of an EIS when one is needed.
An environmental analysis prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to determine whether a federal action would significantly affect the environment and thus require the preparation of a more detailed Environmental Impact Statement.
This document discloses the environmental impacts to be expected from a proposed timber sale and from specific alternatives to the proposed action. An EA is prepared when the USFS does not anticipate significant environmental impacts or when there is a question as to the extent of the impacts. Comments are usually due within 30 days of release of an EA. Comments are responded to in an appendix to the EA.
An analysis of the impact of a planned action to the environment to determine the significance of that action and whether an EIS is needed.
Assessing the anticipated environmental impact of a proposed project as part of the planning process and when seeking planning consent.
A systematic analysis of site-specific activities used to determine whether such activities have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment and whether a formal environmental impact statement is required; and to aid an agency's compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act when no environmental impact statement is necessary. ( FEMAT, IX-11)
A preliminary, written, environmental analysis required by EPA to determine whether a federal activity such as building airports or highways would significantly affect the environment; an EA may require preparation of more detailed Environmental Impact Statement. EPA Web site for Environmental/Biological-Related Technical Terms, www.epa.gov/grtlakes/seahome/grants/src/glosbis.htm
A detailed study of the reasonably foreseeable significant effects on the environment, beneficial as well as adverse, of a product, service or process. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) and Eco-efficiency are examples of environmental assessments. Environmental effect Any direct or indirect effects of activities, products and services of an organization upon the environment, whether adverse or beneficial. An environmental effect/impact is the consequence of an environmental intervention in an environmental system.
A written evaluation, made early in the planning process, of the potential environmental impact of a proposed action.