National Environmental Policy Act

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analyses are completed on all activities that could have a physical or biological effect on national forest lands. There are varying levels of analysis depending on the complexity or type of proposal.

The objectives of NEPA analyses are to:

• fully consider the impacts of Forest Service proposed actions on the physical, biological, and economic aspects of the human environment;
• involve interested and affected agencies, State and local governments, organizations, and individuals in planning and decision making; and
• conduct and document environmental analyses and subsequent decisions appropriately, efficiently and cost effectively.

NEPA requires federal agencies to use a systematic interdisciplinary approach in planning and decision making. The interdisciplinary approach ensures that:

• environmental impacts of proposed actions are identified and considered;
• alternatives to the proposed action are considered;
• enhancement of long term productivity is considered; and
• irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources which would be involved in the proposed action should it be implemented are identified. 

Many of the projects listed on this site have been analyzed under the National Environmental Policy Act process.