Environmental Overviews

NEPA Environmental Overviews are a component of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, which provides a high-level summary of the potential environmental impacts of a proposed project or action. The purpose of the Environmental Overview is to provide a quick and easy-to-understand summary of the potential environmental impacts of a proposed project or action, in order to inform decision-makers and the public about the potential environmental effects of the proposal.

An Environmental Overview typically includes information such as:

• A description of the proposed project or action

• A summary of the potential environmental impacts of the proposal, including impacts on air and water quality, wildlife, and cultural resources

• A summary of any mitigation measures that have been proposed to minimize potential impacts

• A summary of any public involvement and consultation that has been conducted

The main goal of a NEPA Environmental Overview is to provide a clear, concise summary of the potential environmental impacts of a proposed project or action, in order to inform decision-makers and the public about the potential environmental effects of the proposal, and to provide a basis for further decision-making.

Environmental Overviews are typically prepared for projects or actions that are not expected to have significant environmental impacts and are not subject to a more detailed Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or Environmental Assessment (EA) under NEPA. They are useful tool for providing transparency and information to the public and decision-makers, and also helps to streamline the NEPA process.