DAY 1
Writing the Perfect FONSI
Ultimate conclusions
Basic conclusions
Evidence
Reasons
Timing the NEPA process to the decision making process
Idea
Proposal
Recommendation or report
Decision action
Monitoring, supplements
Eight good reasons not to prepare an EIS
Writing the perfect EA or EIS
Eight plain-language questions any EA or EIS should readily answer
Writing the perfect ROD
Double winnowing
SCOPE: Alternatives
Proposal for action
Need underlying the proposal
Action alternatives:
- Alternative places to go
- Alternative ways to get there
No-action alternative
Mitigation not included in the proposal
Decision factors
Writing the perfect cumulative impacts analysis
Actions:
-Reasons to lump
-Reasons to split
Impacts:
-Direct, indirect, and cumulative
-Increments to past, other present, and reasonably
foreseeable future actions
Writing the perfect cumulative impacts analysis, continued
Administrative Record
DAY 2
SCOPE: Alternatives
Proposal for action
Need underlying the proposal
Action alternatives:
- Alternative places to go
- Alternative ways to get there
No-action alternative
Mitigation not included in the proposal
Decision factors
Writing the perfect cumulative impacts analysis
Actions:
-Reasons to lump
-Reasons to split
Impacts:
-Direct, indirect, and cumulative
-Increments to past, other present, and reasonably
foreseeable future actions
Writing the perfect cumulative impacts analysis, continued
Administrative Record