Environmental Analyses under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
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Current Analyses | Archive | Background | More Info
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which was enacted in 1969, requires Federal agencies to integrate environmental values into their decision-making processes by considering the environmental impacts of their major proposed actions.
NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources is preparing the following select analyses listed below:
Current NEPA Analyses
- Sea Turtle Conservation and Recovery Actions in the shrimp fishery of the southeastern U.S. [pdf]
(Notice of Intent Published: June 2011)
Environmental Impact Statement assessing potential impacts resulting from the proposed implementation of new sea turtle regulatory requirements in the shrimp fishery of the southeastern U.S.
- Species Recovery Grants to States and Tribes and Species of Concern Grant Programs
(Draft posted online: April 2011)
Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) on administration of 3 discretionary grant programs
- Hawaiian Monk Seal Recovery Actions Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS)
(Notice of Intent Published: October 2010,
Draft Published: August 2011)
Environmental Impact Statement on management and administration of the associated research and enhancement program for Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi) in the Northwestern and Main Hawaiian Islands
- Effects of Oil and Gas Activities in the Arctic Ocean
(Notice of Intent Published: February 2010)
Environmental Impact Statement on oil and gas offshore exploration activities (i.e., seismic surveys and exploratory drilling) in Federal and state waters of the U.S. Chukchi and Beaufort Seas off Alaska
- Sea Turtle Conservation and Recovery in Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Trawl Fisheries [pdf]
(Notice of Intent Published: May 2009)
Environmental Impact Statement on proposed implementation of new sea turtle regulations in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico trawl fisheries
- Subsistence Harvest of Bowhead Whales by Alaska Natives [pdf]
(Notice of Intent Published: October 2006)
Environmental Impact Statement on issuing annual quotas for the subsistence harvest of bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) by Alaska Natives from 2008 through 2017
- Right Whale Research
(Notice of Intent Published: October 2005)
Environmental Impact Statement on issuing permits facilitating research on endangered right whales in the North Atlantic and North Pacific (Eubalaena spp.)
Archive of Recently Completed NEPA Analyses
- Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Program
(Final EIS: February 2009)
activities of the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program (MMHSRP) in the waters of the United States
- North Atlantic Right Whale Ship Strike Reduction Strategy
(Final EIS: August 2008)
implementing the North Atlantic Right Whale Ship Strike Reduction Strategy to reduce the occurrence and severity of vessel collisions with endangered North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis)
- Steller Sea Lion and Northern Fur Seal Research
(Final EIS: May 2007)
issuing grants and permits facilitating research on the Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) and northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus)
NEPA Background and Definitions
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires Federal agencies to analyze and disclose impacts of major actions using either a:
- Categorical Exclusion (CE)
A category of actions determined to neither individually nor cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment; documented by a memo to the record.
- Environmental Assessment (EA)
Brief environmental review that analyzes impacts of proposed action, no action, and alternatives to determine if action will have significant impacts. This results in a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).
- Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
Detailed environmental review that analyzes impacts of proposed action, no action, and alternatives and offers mitigation for impacts. This results in a Record of Decision.
- NOAA/NEPA Coordination
- NOAA NEPA Handbook [pdf] [1.1 MB]
Updated: August 26, 2011
