International and Individual State Environmental Impact Analysis Programs - Environmental Impact Analysis: Process and Methods - page 326

requirement is stratified and refers the project proponent to threshold screen-
ing criteria. At the lowest level, the regulations specify types of actions where
MEPA does not apply:

r Lawfully existing structure, facility, or activity
r Routine maintenance
r Replacement project
r Project consistent with a special review procedure previously sub-
ject to MEPA review

At the next level, if the proposed action is less intense than a lower thresh-
old, no action or filing under MEPA is required. If it exceeds the lower thresh-
old, an Environmental Notification Form (ENF) must be filed and if it also
exceeds the upper threshold, a full Environmental Impact Report (EIR) must
be prepared (Figure 8.2). Thresholds are identified in a number of different
categories:

r Land
r State-listed species
r Wetlands, waterways, and tidelands
r Water
r Wastewater
r Transportation
r Energy
r Air

No ENF, no
MEPA action

MEPA
certificate

ENF
required

Understanding
the project

Completed
EIR and certificate

ENF and EIR
required

FIGURE 8.2
A threshold screening process under the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA).