Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
6
Multilevel Environmental Impact Analysis
6.1 Overview
Duplication, repetitiveness, and excessive length are common problems
associated with environmental impact analyses. These flaws often discour-
age productive stakeholder participation, and by creating confusion and
boredom, compromise the purpose of the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) and similar initiatives. The concept of multilevel environmental
impact analysis was developed to mitigate these shortcomings by producing
more concise, focused, and readable evaluations.
A major objective of the approach is to streamline the process. “It takes too
long and delays the project” is a criticism leveled at environmental impact
analysis in general and NEPA specifically, more often than criticism that
environmental impact analysis is useless or an inhibitor to progress. In rec-
ognition of this criticism, a bill to reform the federal analysis process by set-
ting the first-ever deadlines for agencies to complete environmental reviews
under NEPA was passed by the Judiciary Committee during the summer of
2012 and was forwarded to the House floor. The bill sets a 4.5-year maximum
deadline to complete the NEPA review process, an 18-month maximum for
environmental assessments (EAs), and a 36-month maximum for an environ-
mental impact statement (EIS). No environmental analysis that is properly
planned and executed (e.g., in line with the guidance in this topic) should
take even half that long. But as evidenced by the necessity for congressio-
nal intervention, there are too many NEPA analyses that take even longer.
Employing multilevel environmental analysis can cut this schedule in half
or more in many cases.
The underlying logic of multilevel analysis is to address an issue once,
make a decision “when the time is ripe and right,” and then move on to the
analysis and decisions that logically follow. As the process cascades through
the multiple levels, issues are put to rest and each subsequent level of analy-
sis and decision refers to the previous analysis and becomes more and more
focused on the most relevant and critical issues ripe for action. Thus, if an
initial EIS or other environmental impact analysis fully addresses the impli-
cations, both beneficial and adverse, of a regional energy policy on fuel
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