Introduction - Environmental Impact Analysis: Process and Methods - page 7

This and similar topics documenting continued development and improve-
ment in environmental analysis techniques and policies are sorely needed.
Although great progress has been made in environmental awareness, policy,
regulation, and environmental impact analysis tools since 1970, there are still
several large gaps. One well-documented gap is the rating of current envi-
ronmental impact analysis documents (discussed in Chapter 2, Section 2.4).
Under the Clean Air Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
is obligated to evaluate environmental impact statements (EISs) submitted
under NEPA. The EPA has rated more than half the submitted EISs as con-
taining “insufficient information.” It is not just the quality of the analysis
that is deficient; the environmental impacts resulting from a similar num-
ber of proposed actions are rated as having an “Environmental Concern,”
meaning the proposed action may result in substantial impacts that could be
avoided. Reviews done by others (see Chapter 2, Section 2.4) have reflected
the same trends, both under NEPA and other international environmental
programs. It is especially disturbing is that these reviews have not detected
any substantial improvement in the quality of environmental analysis or
reduction in environmental impacts over the last 30 plus years.
The other gap in environmental impact analysis progress is less quantifi-
able than the rating of EISs and similar environmental analyses, but more
severe in hindering the achievement of environmental policy goals. From its
inception, environmental analysis was intended by supporters and advocates
to be an integral part of the project, plan, and policy development process.
The vision was to initiate the environmental analysis and consideration of
environmental resources at the very first stages of the planning process and
incorporate environmental considerations at each and every stage of project
development and implementation. Embodied in this vision is a truly inte-
grated and interdisciplinary team, planning the proposed action, develop-
ing the implementation details, and considering environmental implications.
Experience has shown that some U.S. federal agencies take this vision to
heart and implement projects, plans, and policies that reflect comprehen-
sive environmental consideration, stakeholder support, and ultimately
better results. Unfortunately, experience has also demonstrated that this is
the exception rather than the rule. A goal of this topic is to clearly dem-
onstrate that, both in theory and in practice, early and often, incorporation
of environmental consideration, clearly stated as an objective in the national
environmental policy, is a path to a successful, efficient, appreciated, and
environmentally sustainable project, plan, or policy.
This topic is organized to further the goal of better environmental analy-
sis producing better projects, plans, and policies. Chapters 2 and 3 focus on
the history of the environmental movement and its creation of U.S. NEPA.
NEPA is introduced early in the topic because it was the irst comprehen-
sive effort at incorporating environmental consideration into the national
discussion and has served as the model for many parallel U.S. state and