Environmental Impact Statements (EISs)

What is an Environmental Impact Statement?

An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) concisely describes and analyzes a proposed action which may have a significant impact on the environment. The EIS is available to the public for information and comment. An EIS must include:

• description of the action, including its need and benefits;
• description of the environmental setting and areas to be affected;
• an analysis of all environmental impacts related to the action;
• an analysis of reasonable alternatives to the action;
• identification of ways to reduce or avoid adverse environmental impacts.

What is the Process to Develop an Environmental Impact Statement?

An EIS must be prepared when the proposed action is likely to cause significant impacts on the quality of the human environment. An EIS therefore, is a lengthy process involving the following steps:

Scoping

Scoping is the process used to determine the appropriate contents of an EIS.   Scoping begins before any analysis of impacts is done, and it continues until the EIS is finished.  Public participation is an integral part of scoping.  The first scoping step is to announce to the public, by a Federal Register notice and press releases, that an EIS will be prepared and to ask for comments about what should be included.  We may also hold one or more public meetings in communities that might be affected if leasing, exploration, or development occur.  The purpose of soliciting input is to properly identify as many relevant issues, alternatives, mitigation measures, and analytical tools as possible so they can be incorporated into the EIS.

Getting input from as many affected and interested parties as possible is an important part of preparing an EIS.  This usually includes:

• Citizens who live, work, or play in the area where OCS-related activity may occur.
• Public interest groups and native communities that have concerns about possible impacts to environmental, social, or economic resources.
• Federal, state, and local government agencies that have responsibilities for managing public resources or services.
• Oil industry and oil industry support businesses that might conduct oil and gas development activities.
• Scientists and other technical experts with knowledge of the area's natural resources and the possible impacts of oil and gas development.

An important objective of scoping is to identify specific elements of the environment that might be affected if the proposal is carried out.  If we determine that there might be significant impacts associated with a concern that is raised during scoping, it is analyzed in detail in the EIS.  For OCS activities, environmental concerns that commonly arise include:

• Ecological concerns such as the possible impacts of oil and gas development on marine mammals, birds, fish and shellfish, and the natural habitats that support these resources.
• Sociological concerns such as development-related changes in population or demands for public transportation, education, or health care services.  Other social factors involved may include possible changes in the cultural, religious, or recreational traditions of affected communities.
• Economic concerns often center about marine-related employment like commercial fishing and tourism.

Based on the information received during the initial scoping effort and other information, such as the location of sensitive natural resources, estimates of oil and gas resources, or projected oil and gas activity, alternative to the proposal that might reduce possible impacts. In addition, any reasonable measures suggested to mitigate possible impacts are considered for analysis in the EIS.

Analytical Scenarios

After the alternatives to the proposal are determined, we develop scenarios for the proposal and each alternative.  Those are the basis for the analyses of possible impacts. The scenarios for the 5-year program and lease sales are largely hypothetical because it is not known at the time what operations will actually take place.

What Can DuBois & King Inc. Do To Help You?

DuBois & King, Inc., is a professional services firm staffed by scientists and environmental engineers who understand Federal regulations like NEPA (as well as applicable State regulations). We can help you achieve NEPA compliance by preparing Environmental Impact Statements, Environmental Assessments, and Categorical Exclusions.

Need More Information?

To learn more about what DuBois & King, Inc. can do to help you with your Environmental Impact Statement please contact us.

References:

Mineral Management Service, Environmental Compliance: The EIS Process, Mineral Management Service Environmental Program, Last Update 2003.03.05, United States Department of the Interior, http://www.mms.gov/eppd/compliance/nepa/policy/eis/process.htm

Back to Top