What are the different steps in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process?
There are two different types of environmental documents—the environmental assessment (EA) and the environmental impact statement (EIS). In California, most forests are developing an EIS for Travel Management due to the nature and complexity of the changes occurring. The proposed action (scoping) is the first step in the NEPA process and is the agencies first attempt to frame the intended project. This step includes public input (minimum 45-day comment period). Within this time period the public is asked to comment on the proposed action. Information about the proposed action will be provided on forest websites, at public meetings, and in local libraries. Public input will help forests identify issues with the proposed action. Issues identified will be used to help develop alternatives to the proposed actions which will then be analyzed for their effects to the environment. The “effects analysis” is a chapter published in a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS). When the DEIS is
