Federal projects · NEPA
Draft a NEPA environmental assessment and FONSI, or an EIS outline, that follows a reference document. Free to read; every unconfirmed fact is marked.
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How it works
What you get
The first draft is free to read. Each document after it is drafted from the same confirmed facts.
Modeled on: A signed EA from the same agency and project type
From public data
NEPA's limit for an environmental assessment, not counting citations and appendices. An EIS gets 150.
Source: 42 U.S.C. 4336a(e)
Questions
An agency prepares an EIS when a proposed action has a reasonably foreseeable significant effect on the human environment, and an EA when it does not or the significance is unknown. If one of the agency's categorical exclusions fits, neither is needed.
One year. NEPA gives a lead agency one year to finish an EA and two years for an EIS, counted from the earliest of its decision that the document is needed, notice that a right-of-way application is complete, or, for an EIS, its notice of intent.
Yes. NEPA requires lead agencies to let a project sponsor prepare an EA or EIS under the agency's supervision. The agency must independently evaluate the document and takes responsibility for its contents.
No. CEQ removed its NEPA regulations effective April 11, 2025. Agencies now work from the statute and their own procedures, such as USDA's at 7 CFR part 1b. Ask which procedures your agency adopted before you pick a format.
Related doors
Which Forest Service CE fits your project?
Where is the delineation site?
Which national forest is the project on?
Which parcel do you want to check?
Which state and county is the project in?
Where is the project, and what is it?
Answer it and the project exists. Three more questions, then the draft.