Setting The Bar High For Qualitative Assessments
Site reconnaissance and preparation of Environmental Assessment (EA) documents are undertaken pursuant to Sections 101 and 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended. An environmental assessment is an instrument required by federal law and regulations to determine if the potential impacts of a Proposed Action are of such significance as to require the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
EA Formats and guidelines used include BIAM Part 59, Chapter 3, HUD-NAHASDA 24 CFR 58.0, Bureau of Land Management EA Template for Application for Permit to Drill for Oil and Gas exploration and developments, and US Forest Service EA format.
The EA complies with the Tribal, Federal and State Threatened and Endangered Species Act, Protection of Wetlands, Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and Environmental Justice. Compliance with known environmental statutes, i.e., Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (Solid Waste Sites, Hazardous Waste Sites, Underground Storage Tank Sites) Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation Act and Toxic Substance Control Act.. EA also complies with National Historic Preservation Act, including existing federal, state, and tribal laws and rules protecting archaeological sites, historic properties, and graves. These laws and rules include the federal Antiquities Act of 1906 (PL 59-209); the National Historic Preservation Act (PL 89-665); the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1978 (PL 95-96); the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978 (PL 95-341); the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act.