FEMA Region VIII Anatomy of an Environmental Assessment

(March 2001)

FOREWORD

An Environmental Assessment is a PLANNING DOCUMENT and a DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT that should state in clear, straight forward, and concise language:

  1. What action is being proposed
  2. The environment where the action is to take place
  3. Alternatives to implementing the action
  4. An equal and unbiased analysis of how each alternative would impact that environment

GENERAL NOTES

NOTE: To meet the requirements of certain laws, some sections must be included whether or not they are relevant. These will be indicated by **.

SCOPING

Before writing the EA document, the writer should:

  1. Consult with the FEMA Project Officer and/or Regional Environmental Officer to develop and/or concur on viable alternatives to the proposed project.
  2. Send scoping letters to the relevant agencies (federal, state, and local) soliciting their comments on the proposed project and alternatives.

MAJOR COMPONENTS OF AN EA DOCUMENT

OUTLINE OF A FEMA REGION VIII EA TITLE PAGE

The Title Page should contain the following:

  1. Project title (FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR (project name, location, and name of sub-grantee))
  2. FEMA Region VIII DR # and Project ID # (if applicable)
  3. Prepared for FEMA Region VIII
  4. Address (Denver Federal Center, Bldg. 710, Denver CO 80225)
  5. Address of contractor (if applicable)
  6. Date (month, year)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

This is a list and page number of all sections in the document. After completion of the document, a final check must be made to assure that the actual sections and page numbers of the document reflects the sections and page numbers stated in the Table of Contents.

LIST OF ACRONYMS

(see list of acronyms near bottom of this page)

This is a list of commonly used acronyms in the document (always spell out the first time used). This list avoids the use of long agency names in the document. If an acronym is not in the document, don't list it.

NOTE: From this point on, cite appropriate maps, figures, reports, responses, etc. that are in the Appendices. If something is not cited in the document, it should not be in the Appendices. If something is cited in the document, it must be in the Appendices.

CHAPTER 1 – INTRODUCTION

This chapter is an overview of the event (disaster) that created the need for the project and then a description of the purpose and need for the project. Sections should be presented in the following order:

NOTE: From this point on, EVERYTHING ties back into the above stated Purpose and Need, so be sure that the purpose and need are solid and well stated.

Next, include a paragraph giving information on the grant or public assistance application to address the above stated purpose and need, including:

  1. Who is submitting the proposal or grant application for funding from FEMA? For example: "State of SD Hazard Mitigation Team has submitted an application to FEMA for consideration under..." or "The town of Colorado Springs has submitted an application to FEMA for consideration under..."
  2. Program under which the funding is being sought. For example: "HMGP Sec. 404 of P.L. 93-288", "FEMA Public Assistance Program", and "FEMA Project Impact Program."
  3. Paragraph citing the National Environmental Policy Act requirements

CHAPTER 2 – ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

This chapter should provide a concise description of all of the alternatives that were fully considered in addressing the purpose and need stated above. It should also list those alternatives that were considered but dismissed and the reasons for dismissal.

In general this chapter:

  1. Should give a simple description (nature, size, location) of all the alternatives considered and numbered
  2. Should give each alternative equal treatment
  3. Should give equal distinction between alternatives
  4. Should not select or reject alternative here...simply describe them
  5. Should not compare alternatives to promote or diminish one over the other. The Proposed Alternative implies the applicant's preferred alternative. If an alternative is not permitted by FEMA regulations, it's not a viable alternative.

The Introductory Paragraph(s) of this section must include the number and brief title of each of the alternatives considered in addressing the stated purpose and need. The remaining sections should be presented in the following order:

CHAPTER 3 – AFFECTED ENVIRONMENTS AND POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF THE ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

This is the heart of the EA.

In general this chapter should contain:

  1. An introductory paragraph(s) on the general setting of the project area.
  2. A concise description of each affected environment at the project site and any laws that may apply to that affected environment.
  3. The impact of each alternative on that environment (this can include positive impacts, if applicable).
  4. What can be done to mitigate the negative impacts (if necessary)?
  5. Each affected environment should:
    1. Be consistent and follow the exact same format for each affected environment.
    2. Be easy to follow for comparison throughout the various affected environments.
    3. The list of affected environments should meet the needs of most of Region VIII EA's (the list, however is not all inclusive). Some projects may dictate a reduction or expansion of the list of affected environments provided below.
    4. If indirect (secondary) impacts are present, they should be addressed under each affected environment.

Affected Environments

CHAPTER 4 – SUMMARY

This section provides:

  1. A very brief introductory paragraph on the proposed alternative and the other alternatives evaluated in the document.
  2. A table describing the assessment categories (environmental settings) and the impacts of each alternative on that assessment category (including the No Action alternative).

CHAPTER 5 – AGENCIES CONSULTED AND REFERENCES

This is a list of federal, state, and local agencies (with address and phone numbers) that were consulted during the preparation of the EA.

Coordination letters sent to the agencies and their comments should be provided in the Appendices.

Summary of phone consultations (citing date and individual contacted) should also be included in that Appendix.

CHAPTER 6 – LIST OF PREPARERS

This is a list of all individuals who participated in the preparation of the EA.

The list should include:

CHAPTER 7 – PUBLIC NOTICE

Usually a Public Notice or notice of intent to undertake an action is published in a local newspaper if:

  1. The project is of a large enough scale or may be controversial.
  2. If the project involves EO 11988 or 11990.
  3. The comment period is for 15 days.
  4. Comments received should be addressed in the EA.
  5. Once the FINAL EA is completed and the FONSI signed:
  6. A Final Notice will be published.
  7. If a public notice is published, then a copy of that notice should be reproduced here with date and place of its publication.
  8. This notice should cite all applicable acts, project descriptions, EOs, agencies contacted, and who to contact for further information.

APPENDICES

Appendix A

  1. Figures, Maps and/or Photographs (see note)
  2. Site location maps
  3. Floodplain maps
  4. Photographs
  5. Site layout maps
  6. Building or project diagrams, etc.

Appendix B

  1. Damage Survey Report (if applicable)

Appendix C

  1. MOA and or MOU (if applicable)

Appendix D

  1. USDA Farm land Conversion Impact Rating Form or other forms.

Appendix E

  1. Agency Correspondence

Appendix F

  1. Anything else that may be applicable.

OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS THAT MAY APPLY

LIST of SAMPLE ACRONYMS

This list should be tailored or added to meet the needs of the particular EA:

(Return to Chapter 1, above)

SAMPLE STANDARD LANGUAGE FOR THE DOCUMENT

Last Modified: Tuesday, 18-Apr-2006 16:38:59 EDT