National Environmental Policy Act
Integrating NEPA into the NRCS Planning Process

... it is the continuing policy of the Federal Government, in cooperation with State and local governments, and other concerned public and private organizations, to use all practicable means and measures, including financial and technical assistance, in a manner calculated to foster and promote the general welfare, to create and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony, and fulfill the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generation of Americans.

The National Environmental Policy Act or NEPA as it is know, was passed in the latter part of 1969 and signed into law by President Nixon.  The following pages provide insight into how NEPA is integrated into the Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) planning process.  By clicking on the boxes you can obtain definitions and further information about each subject or step.  By clicking on the yes - no buttons or the continue buttons, you move to the next step or question in the process.

Begin Environmental Evaluation

Click Here To Start

Environmental Evaluation :    The Environmental Evaluation (EE) is the part of planning that inventories and estimates the potential effects on the human environment of alternative solutions to resource problems.   A wide range of environmental data together with social and economic information is considered in determining whether a proposed action is a major federal action significantly affecting the human environment.  The Environmental Evaluation for a program, regulation, or individual action is used to determine the need for an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).  Environmental Evaluations also aids in the consideration of alternatives and in the identification of available resources.