Introduction - Environmental Impact Analysis: Process and Methods - page 4

by even greater degradation of another or a combination of resources. A full
and proactive integration of these three prongs can achieve holistic envi-
ronmental protection, including attention to individual resources, and help
move forward in a positive direction of meeting the national environmental
policy.
Early in the environmental movement, many who were concerned about
the degradation of the environment, particularly those with technical exper-
tise in ecology, environmental engineering, and related fields, felt that
although lack of awareness and concern for the environment were at the
heart of the problem, much of the damage resulted from a scarcity of tech-
niques and regulatory tools available to identify, analyze, and control envi-
ronmental consequences. Even with good intentions and adherence to newly
enacted laws and regulations, the lack of adequate tools frequently produced
uninformed decisions that resulted in unintended consequences and created
severe and irreversible environmental damage. The lack of such tools and
environmental analysis methods became more apparent as analyses were
conducted and reviewed by the public, academicians, technical experts,
environmental advocacy groups, and natural resource agencies. Thus began
the process, which continues today, of developing environmental analysis
techniques to meet the objectives of the national environmental policy and
similar environmental acts and regulations.
This topic looks back, over 40 plus years, at the techniques and methods
developed and used in environmental analysis. The ones that have been
successful are highlighted but the ones less so are not ignored and the
lessons taken away are reported. Although the methods and techniques
are the focus of the topic, they are not presented in isolation. They are
discussed in terms of the comprehensive environmental analysis pro-
cess from the inception of project, program, and policy to implementa-
tion of the selected alternative to accomplish the stated purpose and need.
The environmental analysis methods and techniques are also discussed
in relation to environmental laws and other requirements and perhaps
most importantly in relation to making a better decision, not only from
an environmental perspective, but also from the angle of accomplishing
the purpose and the need for action and generating public support and
comprehension.
The topic is designed to assist in the preparation of environmental analy-
ses that accomplish the goals discussed, including:
r Achieving a better decision
r Implementing a better project, program, and policy
r Meeting procedural and technical expectations of environmental
regulations
r Informing the public and facilitating their support regarding envi-
ronmental problems and solutions