|4.4 Environmental Impact Statements Actions that Normally Require an EIS|
|Introduction | Criteria for Significant Impact | Ongoing or Continuing Action | Actions that Normally Require an EIS | EIS Format | The Final EIS | Supplements to Draft and Final EISs | Public Involvement Requirements | Administrative Process of Review of EISs | Terminating the EIS Process|
You must prepare an EIS for the following proposals:
A. Wild and Scenic Rivers proposals when any of the following conditions are met:
In no case will an EIS be required for a river that has been determined ineligible for designation because it is not free-flowing or because it has no outstandingly remarkable values.
B. Proposals for legislative action to make additions to the National Trails system if the proposed trail meets eligibility criteria, even if the trail is not ultimately recommended for designation by the Secretary.
C. Special resource studies when the following conditions are met:
D. A GMP or its equivalent. GMPs may need to be amended for various reasons. Amendments should follow the same procedures in determining the appropriate NEPA pathway on a case-by-case basis.
E. Wilderness proposals.
F. Grants, including multi-year grants, whose size or scope will result in major natural or physical changes, including interrelated social and economic changes and residential and land use changes within the project area or its immediate environs.
G. Parkwide oil and gas management plans.
In addition to the specific conditions listed, you must always prepare an EIS for any proposed action that has the potential for significant impacts to the human environment. In rare circumstances, the Environmental Quality Division, through the Associate Director for Natural Resources Stewardship and Science, may grant an exception to the requirement that EISs be prepared for some of the actions named above, on a case-by-case basis when it is clear that site-specific data indicate that the potential for significant impact does not exist. This determination may only be made after public scoping, initial development of alternatives, and impact analysis. In addition, the FONSI on such a document must be made available for public review for 30 days before the agency's final determination whether to prepare an EIS (Q37b).
|Always prepare an EIS for any NPS proposed action that has the potential for significant impacts to the human environment.|