Conducting the Environmental Impact Analysis and Assessment - Environmental Impact Analysis: Process and Methods - page 167

a specific environmental analysis. Thus it can indicate trends and long-term
averages rather than just a snapshot of conditions at the time of the environ-
mental analysis. The data from such sources are also generally of high quality
because they have been generated by standard and accepted methods and are
frequently subject to peer review. Thus they are a sound representation of the
current and historic conditions of the environmental resources potentially
affected by the proposed action or any of the alternatives. Existing data, par-
ticularly through an established monitoring program, are also more likely to
be accepted by stakeholders, particularly members of the technical advisory
committee (TAC) and regulatory agencies, and it is less likely to be the subject
of bias allegations by skeptical stakeholders or advocacy groups. Maximizing
the use of previous collected information and data is much more efficient than
expending precious environmental analysis resources for expensive one-time
data collection programs for only a snapshot of existing conditions. Given
all these advantages, it is surprising that it is not uncommon for an environ-
mental analysis to be conducted in a vacuum. Frequently the environmental
analysis team does not acknowledge or take advantage of all the work that
has been done previously. This can result in embarrassment and loss of cred-
ibility if one-time studies conducted solely for the analysis are contradicted
by the results of long-term and accepted data collection programs.
The search and review of available baseline information are also manda-
tory inputs to designing any site-specific environmental analysis-specific
data collection program. A comprehensive understanding of what informa-
tion is already available is critical to designing a data collection program so
that it can “fill the gaps” or confirm previously established trends rather than
duplicating information that is already available. Collection of specific infor-
mation should also be consistent with the available information by following
the same data collection procedures, analysis methods, and where appropri-
ate, matching previously used sampling locations so that valid comparisons
can be made over time and geographic locations.
There are many available sources of environmental baseline information
and data in most areas of the United States and increasingly in other coun-
tries throughout the world. The data from these sources can be utilized to
describe existing conditions and if additional data are necessary they can be
used to design the data collection program. The environmental analysis team
must be creative and resourceful to identify all the potential sources of infor-
mation but should not ignore readily available sources such as:
r Previously conducted environmental analyses. As is discussed in
Chapter 6, these can often be incorporated by reference.
r Monitoring programs required as part of wastewater discharge
permits. These are conducted by the dischargers but submitted to
state or federal regulatory agencies for review and they are subject
to split-sampling and oversight.