Attch 3 Environmental Questionnaire Guidance.docx

Interim Requirements for Completion of Key Sections of the Financial Assistance NEPA Checklist

General All activities including those conducted by the lead, subawardees, and any other parties proposed to be funded must be described in a single checklist for each application.

Part II Item 1 - Attaching project plans and other supporting documentation is encouraged; however, a brief project description must be provided in Item 1.

Provide a brief, clear and concise description of the proposed project. The description should be written so that it is understandable by a reader with a scientific/engineering/technical background in another field. Make sure to call out acronyms, and a brief description of the facilities and equipment to be used will help reviewers to understand scope of the proposed activities and any potential related issues. If the proposed project does not involve physical experimentation (essentially completely limited to the activities listed in Item 4), state so specifically; this will help avoid confusion regarding the need for Part 2 responses. Referring to the proposal, SOO, etc. is acceptable as long as the activities, facilities, etc. are described appropriately. Be certain to identify any construction or modification of facilities and work to be conducted outdoors.

Part III Responses to Part III items are typically required when actual “real world” activities (for example, laboratory experiments, facility modification, outdoor testing and/or monitoring, etc.) are proposed. Pay special attention to Item 8, which focuses on the types of environmental issues associated with research in laboratories, nuclear/radiographic facilities, and so on. Check the boxes that are associated with the proposed work, and provide a brief explanation of each in the table following the listed items. When discussing quantities of chemicals, etc., estimates are acceptable; for example, where solvents are used, a preparer could state that they would be used in liter quantities, quantities up to 10 liters, less than a liter, and so on. For each item, briefly state how the issue will be managed; for example, a proponent could state that the project will generate X kilograms of hazardous waste, including spent solvents, rags, wipes, and personal protective equipment, which would be collected for disposal by the university’s hazardous waste program.