National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Compliance Document

A National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Compliance Document is any document prepared by a federal agency to comply with the requirements of NEPA, which is a federal law that requires agencies to consider the environmental impacts of their proposed actions and to involve the public in the decision-making process. NEPA compliance documents may include Categorical Exclusions (CEs), Environmental Assessments (EAs), and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), depending on the scope and significance of the proposed action. The purpose of a NEPA compliance document is to ensure that federal agencies take a hard look at the environmental consequences of their actions and to provide the public with an opportunity to review and comment on the agency’s analysis. NEPA compliance documents typically include a description of the proposed action and its purpose and need, an analysis of the affected environment and potential impacts, an evaluation of alternatives, and a discussion of mitigation measures and monitoring requirements. The documents should be based on sound science and should be clear, concise, and accessible to a general audience. NEPA Compliance Documents are an important tool for promoting transparency, accountability, and public participation in federal decision-making.