Why was the Coast Guard the lead federal agency?
The GBR EIS was prepared in accordance with regulations of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. NEPA regulations govern the environmental review process for projects that require federal action to ensure that all significant issues are identified and the full range of alternatives and impacts of a proposed project are addressed. The Goethals Bridge crosses the Arthur Kill, a navigable waterway of the United States. As the federal agency responsible for navigable waterways, the Coast Guard issues bridge permits. Since issuance of the bridge permit is the major federal action for the Goethals Bridge Replacement project, the Coast Guard assumed the lead agency role.
