L O N G B E A C H , C A
Ed MeliskyEnvironmental Specialist, FAA, Office of Airports, Airport Planning and Environmental Division, [email protected]
NEPA’s Background and History
L O N G B E A C H , C A
TOPICS WE’LL MENTION
• Why have NEPA?• NEPA’s intent• NEPA’s purposes• NEPA’s requirements• How FAA & ARP meet NEPA
WHY WE NEED NEPA
• To address Federal government actions that would affect human, natural, and social environments.
• Examples of actions triggering such impacts occur…– in high-density urban areas– in undeveloped areas– during industrial expansion– when we exploit natural resources – during the building, operation, and
maintenance of transportation facilities.
NEPA’S BIRTH
• NEPA resulted from a 10+-year effort to include environmental considerations in Federal decision making.
• Those considerations need to be part of economic, technological, financial decisions.
• NEPA’s effective date: January 1, 1970.• President Richard M. Nixon signed NEPA into law. • Public Law 91-190 / 42 U.S.C. 4321- 4347.
Note: NEPA does not mean the National Environmental Protection Act.
• Implementing regs. @ 40 CFR 1500 et. seq.• Chief Sponsors: Sen. Henry “Scoop” Jackson
(WA) and Rep. John Dingell (MI)• Primary Author: Dr. Lynton Caldwell.
NEPA’S INTENT
• NEPA requires Federal agencies taking actions that affect the environment to…
- cooperate with state & local governments and agencies at federal, state, and local levels.
- cooperate with public and
private organizations.
- promote and foster general
welfare.
- find ways for man and nature
to exist in “productive harmony.”
NEPA’S PURPOSES
Use well-designed analyses appropriate for expected impacts.
Use published scientific research when determining consequences.
Use experienced, interdisciplinary teams.
Learn about ecological
systems & natural
resources.
Include environmental factors when
achieving agency mission(s).
Stimulate man’s health & welfare.
Conduct effective public outreach & scoping.
Effectively use information gleaned during
comment or consultation periods.
Conduct informative, congenial meetings or workshops.
Public and agency involvement.
Avoid, mitigate, or enhance.
Use / dispose resources wisely.
Recycle.
Promote ways to prevent or eliminate environmental
damage.
Encourage sustainability by:
-designing / operating without degrading
ecosystems;
-using “green architecture/products;
-employ less polluting operations
Encourage productive harmony.
HOW TO ACHIEVE THAT PURPOSE.NEPA’S PURPOSE
NEPA DOES NOT REQUIRE…
• that a Federal agency (FAA) give up its authority to make decisions;
• a Federal Agency to place environmental concerns above all other factors critical to a decision;
• that Federal actions avoid controversy;
• a Federal agency to analyze impacts to “nth” degree;
• stopping needed projects;
• generating useless mountains of paperwork; or
• courts to make agency decisions.– Note: Courts determine if the responsible or lead Federal
Agency met applicable environmental laws/regulations.
NEPA DOES…
• urge Federal agencies to learn about nationally-important ecological systems and natural resources;
• encourage Federal agencies to approve needed projects in ways that are harmonious with human, natural, and social environments;
• require Federal agencies to disclose the effects of their actions on human, natural, and social environments;
• require public participation in Federal agency decisions when their actions affect human, natural, and social environments; and
• establish the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ).
HOW DO FAA & ARP MEET NEPA’S GOALS
• FAA does so by…- trying to sustain a preferred standard of living, while providing necessary aviation infrastructure;- considering environmental effects before making decisions; - responding to variety of many demands;- including NEPA’s intent in its mission.
• FAA’s Office of Airports (ARP) mission statement recognizes NEPA:
“ARP provides leadership in planning and developing a safe, efficient national airport system to satisfy the needs of the United States. In doing so, ARP will consider economics, environmental compatibility, and local proprietary right, and safeguard the public investment.”
• ARP instructions specifically for airport actions:- Order 5050.4B, NEPA Implementing Instructions for Airport Actions- Desk Reference for Airport Actions- (Advisory Circular 150/5070-6, Airport Master Planning, Chap. 5)
Thanks for your attention!!
Questions??