EA_SOW Attachment B_DAF EA-EIS Format_Jan22.docx
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- Solicitation number
- FA820125Q0018
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This document is a Department of the Air Force Standard Environmental Document Format template for preparing National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental documentation, specifically Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs). The template provides comprehensive guidance for creating standardized, concise environmental documents with specific requirements, including page limits (75 pages for EAs, 300 pages for EISs) and a targeted completion timeframe (one year for EAs, two years for EISs). The document outlines a detailed structure for environmental documentation, emphasizing clarity, focus on significant impact analyses, and efficient information presentation across sections such as Executive Summary, Alternatives, Environmental Consequences, and Public Involvement.
The template is designed to ensure environmental documents are readable, transparent, and aligned with NEPA regulations, with specific instructions for each section. Key template tips include maintaining a 5-7 page Executive Summary, selecting alternatives based on screening criteria, summarizing environmental resource evaluations, and providing a comprehensive analysis of potential environmental impacts across resource areas like air quality, water resources, biological resources, and environmental justice. The document also provides guidance on public involvement, mitigation measures, and the overall structure of environmental documentation, with a focus on producing clear, targeted analyses that support informed decision-making.
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| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Solicitation Amendment FA820125Q00180001 SF 30.pdf | ||
| Solicitation FA820125Q0018 QandA.docx | DOCX document | |
| LMTF__PLF SOW.docx | DOCX document | |
| Solicitation - FA820125Q0018.pdf | ||
| 15-5483.txt | TXT text file | |
| Attach A_25-027_ 813.pdf | ||
| PLF EA_SOW Attachment C_Deliverables Table(1).docx | DOCX document | |
| Combo Synopsis Solicitation Environmental Assessment For Little Mountain PLF - Hill AFB UT.docx | DOCX document |
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ATTACHMENT A: STANDARD ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT FORMAT FOR NEPA Documents
OBJECTIVE: Provide guidance for completing environmental documentation to better achieve the purpose of NEPA and further result in the process of gathering and documenting information on environmental impacts more efficiently, effectively, and timely to inform decision making while maintaining robust analysis.
BACKGROUND
- Develop environmental documents in a standardized format to allow for a uniform Air Force scope that is not encyclopedic and improves readability. Standardization allows for a predictable, repeatable, deliberate, & transparent process
- Avoid environmental documentation that is expansive and encyclopedic by incorporating information that is not truly pertinent to the environmental impacts associated with the action. Extraneous information can lead to unnecessarily lengthy and detailed analyses of less than significant issues, rather than an analysis focused on the significant issues.
- Issues not otherwise required by NEPA, CEQ NEPA Regulations, or the EIAP Regulation should not be included, such as: unwarranted discussions of laws & regulations; alternatives development; screening criteria; site survey criteria; or any other issues of minimal relevance to the impact analysis or items copied from other environmental documents.
DISCUSSION
- Achieve page limit requirements by writing environmental documents in concise plain language, that follows the clear standardized format and emphasize important impact analyses, focusing on relevant information necessary for those analyses, rather than providing extensive background material
- Reduce paperwork and editorial delays by supporting implementation of NEPA’s purpose and processes by ensuring environmental documents are focused and not encyclopedic -- Prepare EAs to meet the presumptive 75-page limit or less, and one-year time-frame measured from the date the decision to prepare the EA is decided and documented with an signed AF Form 813 and a stabilized DOPAA -- Prepare EISs to meet the presumptive 300-page limit (or less) in a timely fashion meeting two years or less from publication of the Notice of Intent (NOI) to signing of the final Record of Decision (ROD)
- A “page” is 500 words in standard font and does not include explanatory maps, diagrams, graphs, or tables that represent the graphical display of quantitative or geospatial information.
- Appendix material shall be limited to material substantiating the analysis and relevant to the decision being made.
- Environmental documentation shall be posted and made accessible online for review and comment.
TEMPLATE TIP #1 – Executive Summary The Executive Summary requires special attention because of its importance. It is the only section read by some people and establishes the first impression of the quality of the document and analyses. Keep in mind the following items as you prepare the Executive Summary:
· 5-7 pages should be the target and no more than 15 maximum
· Sentences in the EXSUM should be lifted directly from the body of the EA/EIS
· There should be no new information or conclusions developed when writing the EXSUM
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Proposed Action Briefly introduce the Proposed Action including the action and location. Discuss lead agency and any cooperating agencies.
Purpose of and Need for the Proposed Action The purpose of the proposed action is xxxx. The need for the proposed action is xxxx.
Alternatives ConsideredTEMPLATE TIP #2– Alternatives Although the template recognizes 2 action alternatives and the No Action alternative, the number of alternatives may be different and format can be varied to accommodate differences in number of alternatives.
Alternatives were selected for analysis based upon the following screening criteria: xxxx, xxxx, xxxx, and xxxx. The Department of the Air Force (DAF) is considering x action alternatives that meet the purpose and need for the proposed action and a No Action Alternative. Alternative 1 (Proposed Action) would xxxx. Alternative 2 would xxxx. The No Action Alternative xxxxx.
Summary of Environmental Resources Evaluated in the EA Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and Air Force instructions for implementing NEPA, specify that an Environmental Assessment (EA) should address those resource areas potentially subject to impacts. In addition, the level of analysis should be commensurate with the anticipated level of environmental impact.
Describe the extent of important existing regulated and unregulated resources (e.g., that required mitigation measures, consultations and concurrence) that were analyzed in the EA/EIS (e.g., wetlands, threatened and endangered species/habitat or marine mammals/habitat or essential fish habitat or protected migratory birds, historic properties and archaeological sites eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, within the coastal zone, coral reefs, air quality nonattainment status).The following resource areas have been addressed in this EA: xxxx, xxxx, and xxxx. Because potential impacts were considered to be negligible or nonexistent, the following resources were not evaluated in this EA: xxxx, xxxx, and xxxx.TEMPLATE TIP #3 – Environmental Consequences Resource impacts can be summarized using the paragraph entries below. The author is not limited to the three lines provided and should add the appropriate number of paragraphs as necessary to address all relevant resource areas.
An alternative method of presenting the environmental consequences is through the use of a table. A table that can be used for this purpose is shown on the following page due to its landscape appearance. The author should choose to use either the text or table method and delete the approach not selected for use.
Summary of Potential Environmental Consequences of the Action Alternatives Resource Area. Briefly describe the potential environmental effects of the action alternatives.
Resource Area. Briefly describe as above… Resource Area. Briefly describe as above… Table ES-1 provides a tabular summary of the potential impacts to the resources associated with each of the alternative actions analyzed.
Public Involvement The Air Force solicited public and agency comments during a scoping period from Month dd, yyyy through Month dd, yyyy. Scoping meeting(s) were held on Month dd, yyyy in Location(s). Comments received during the scoping period were considered in preparing the Draft EA. The Air Force circulated the Draft EA/EIS for public review from Month dd, yyyy to Month dd, yyyy. Comments received and responses are provided in Appendix X.
TEMPLATE TIP #4 – Public Involvement
· NEPA projects use a varying level of public involvement requiring the NEPA Planner to edit or delete the following paragraph as appropriate.
· Additional information may be required for the preparation of a DEIS or FEIS.
STANDARD NEPA DOCUMENT FORMAT Date: Jan 22 i
Table ES-1. Summary of Potential Impacts to Resource Areas
| Resource Area |
| No Action Alternative |
| Name of 1st Action Alternative |
| Name of 2nd Action Alternative |
Air Quality
Water Resources
Geological Resources
Cultural Resources
Biological Resources
Land Use
Noise
Infrastructure
Public Health and Safety
Hazardous Materials and Wastes
Socioeconomics
Environmental Justice
TEMPLATE TIP #5 – Summary of Alternative Environmental Consequences
· Use of a color coded table is highly encouraged to provide a summary of the environmental consequences for each alternative.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Abbreviations and Acronyms | iv | |
| 1 | Purpose of and Need for the Proposed Action | 1-1 |
| 1.1 | Introduction and Background | 1-1 |
| 1.2 | Location | 1-1 |
| 1.3 | Purpose of and Need for the Proposed Action | 1-1 |
| 1.4 | Scope of Environmental Analysis | 1-1 |
| 1.5 | Documents Incorporated by Reference | 1-1 |
| 1.6 | Relevant Laws and Regulations | 1-1 |
| 1.7 | Intergovernmental Coordination, Public and Agency Participation | 1-1 |
| 2 | Proposed Action and Alternatives | 2-1 |
| 2.1 | Proposed Action | 2-1 |
| 2.2 | Selection Standards and Criteria | 2-1 |
| 2.3 | Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Further Analysis | 2-1 |
| 2.3.1 | Alternative Name | 2-1 |
| 2.3.2 | Alternative Name | 2-1 |
| 2.4 | Alternatives Carried Forward for Analysis | 2-1 |
| 2.4.1 | No Action Alternative | 2-1 |
| 2.4.2 | 1st Action Alternative Name (Preferred Alternative) | 2-1 |
| 2.4.3 | 2nd Action Alternative Name | 2-1 |
| 2.5 | Summary of Alternatives and Resources | 2-1 |
| 3 | Affected Environment AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES | 3-1 |
| 3.1 | Air Quality | 3-1 |
| 3.1.1 | Regulatory Setting | 3-1 |
| 3.1.2 | Affected Environment | 3-1 |
| 3.1.3 Environmental Consequences…………………………………………………………………………….3-1 | ||
| 3.2 | Water Resources | 3-1 |
| 3.2.1 | Regulatory Setting | 3-1 |
| 3.2.2 | Affected Environment | 3-1 |
| 3.2.3 Environmental Consequences…………………………………………………………………………. 3-1 | ||
| 3.3 | Soils and Geological Resources | 3-1 |
| 3.3.1 | Regulatory Setting | 3-1 |
| 3.3.2 | Affected Environment | 3-1 |
| 3.3.3 Environmental Consequences…………………………………………………………………………. 3-1 | ||
| 3.4 | Cultural Resources | 3-1 |
| 3.4.1 | Regulatory Setting | 3-1 |
| 3.4.2 | Affected Environment | 3-1 |
| 3.4.3 Environmental Consequences…………………………………………………………………………. 3-1 | ||
| 3.5 | Biological Resources | 3-1 |
| 3.5.1 | Regulatory Setting | 3-1 |
| 3.5.2 | Affected Environment | 3-1 |
3.5.3 Environmental Consequences…………………………………………………………………………. 3-1
| 3.6 | Land Use | 3-1 |
| 3.6.1 | Regulatory Setting | 3-1 |
| 3.6.2 | Affected Environment | 3-1 |
3.6.3 Environmental Consequences…………………………………………………………………………. 3-1
| 3.7 | Noise | 3-1 |
| 3.7.1 | Regulatory Setting | 3-1 |
| 3.7.2 | Affected Environment | 3-1 |
| 3.7.3 Environmental Consequences…………………………………………………………………………. 3-1 | ||
| 3.8 | Infrastructure | 3-1 |
| 3.8.1 | Regulatory Setting | 3-1 |
| 3.8.2 | Affected Environment | 3-1 |
| 3.8.3 Environmental Consequences…………………………………………………………………………. 3-1 | ||
| 3.9 | Public Health and Safety | 3-1 |
| 3.9.1 | Regulatory Setting | 3-1 |
| 3.9.2 | Affected Environment | 3-1 |
| 3.9.3 Environmental Consequences…………………………………………………………………………. 3-1 | ||
| 3.10 | Hazardous Materials and Wastes | 3-1 |
| 3.10.1 | Regulatory Setting | 3-1 |
| 3.10.2 | Affected Environment | 3-1 |
3.10.3 Environmental Consequences…………………………………………………………………………. 3-1
| 3.11 | Socioeconomics | 3-1 |
| 3.11.1 | Regulatory Setting | 3-1 |
| 3.11.2 | Affected Environment | 3-1 |
| 3.11.3 Environmental Consequences…………………………………………………………………………. 3-1 | ||
| 3.12 | Environmental Justice | 3-1 |
| 3.12.1 | Regulatory Setting | 3-1 |
| 3.12.2 | Affected Environment | 3-1 |
| 3.12.3 Environmental Consequences…………………………………………………………………………. 3-1 |
*Add any other resource areas determined to be relevant to the specific proposal if needed.
| 4 | Reasonably forEseeable actions and cumulative Impacts | 4-1 |
| 4.1 | Past, Present, and Reasonably Foreseeable Actions | 4-1 |
| 4.2 | Assessment of Cumulative Impacts by Resource | 4-1 |
| 4.2.1 | Air Quality | 4-1 |
| 4.2.2 | Water Resources | 4-1 |
| 4.2.3 | Geological Resources | 4-1 |
| 4.2.4 | Cultural Resources | 4-1 |
| 4.2.5 | Biological Resources | 4-1 |
| 4.2.6 | Land Use | 4-1 |
| 4.2.7 | Noise | 4-1 |
| 4.2.8 | Infrastructure | 4-1 |
| 4.2.9 | Public Health and Safety | 4-1 |
| 4.2.10 | Hazardous Materials and Wastes | 4-1 |
| 4.2.11 | Socioeconomics | 4-1 |
| 4.2.12 | Environmental Justice | 4-1 |
| 5 | Summary of Environmental Management and Mitigations | 5-1 |
| 6 | References | 6-1 |
| 7 | List of Preparers | 7-1 |
SECTION SPECIFICS
(Includes but my not be limited to the following – Refer to current CEQ NEPA Regs) Cover (sheet):
1. Shall not exceed one page and shall include:
a. A list of the responsible agencies, including the lead agency and any cooperating agencies.
b. The title of the proposed action that is the subject of the statement (and, if appropriate, the titles of related cooperating agency actions), together with the State(s) and county(ies) (or other jurisdiction(s), if applicable) where the action is located.
c. The name, address, and telephone number of the USAF POC who can supply further information
d. A designation of the statement as a draft, final, or draft or final supplement
e. A one-paragraph abstract of the statement
f. Date by which the USAF must receive comments (computed in cooperation with EPA under § 1506.11).
Table of contents.
Discuss major Sections and subsections of the statement (see outline above) Purpose and Need for action (Chapter 1):
2. The purpose and need is the foundation of the alternatives developed. Avoid writing the purpose and need too narrowly and/or supporting decisions already made. Do not focus on the solution rather than the problems that the proposed action is designed to address.
3. The Purpose and need is thought of as the problem statement and objectives for the project, while the resulting reasonable alternatives are considered the range of solutions that solve the problem. The purpose and need section clearly states the nature of the problem and discusses solutions required to resolve the problem(s), which eventually may become reasonable alternatives.
4. The purpose statement states why the project is being proposed and articulates the outcomes that are intended. It should reflect the goals and objectives, be general in nature and not specifically oriented only to support the actions favored by the Proponent.
5. The need statement supports, quantitatively and qualitatively, the assertion made in the purpose statement. The Need explains reasons or requirements why the USAF proposes to take action at this time and place; and concisely outlines goals and objectives to solve the problem.
Proposed Action and Alternatives (Chapter 2):
6. This chapter should succinctly present the description of the Proposed Action and Alternatives. Extraneous or irrelevant details should not be included.
TEMPLATE TIP #6– Summary of Proposed Action and Alternatives
· A target length for this discussion is no more than 20 pages, though variation will occur by project and number of alternatives.
Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences (Chapters 3):
Combine affected environment and environmental consequences into one section to ensure that the description of the affected environment focuses on those aspects of the environment that the proposed action affects. At the start of the Chapter 3 introduction, a discussion of environmental resource areas not requiring further consideration in the document, along with rationale for why, will be included for those resources that aren’t impacted by the proposed action and alternatives.
7. Affected environment section should succinctly describe the existing environment of the area(s) to be affected or created by the alternatives under consideration. This section shall:
a. Include the reasonably foreseeable[footnoteRef:1] environmental trends in the area(s). [1: Reasonably foreseeable means sufficiently likely to occur such that a person of ordinary prudence would take it into account in reaching a decision.]
b. Be no longer than is necessary to understand the effects of the alternatives.
c. Provide data and analyses commensurate with the importance of the impact, with less important material summarized, consolidated, or simply referenced.
d. Avoid useless bulk and concentrate effort and attention on important issues
e. Do not use verbose (e.g., wordy) descriptions of the affected environment as these types of descriptions are no measure of the adequacy of an environmental impact statement.
8. Environmental consequences section forms the scientific and analytic basis for comparison of alternatives. This section shall:
a. Consolidate the discussions of those elements required by sections 102(2)(C)(i), (ii), (iv), and (v) of NEPA that are within the scope of the statement.
b. Consolidate as much of section 102(2)(C)(iii) of NEPA as is necessary to support the comparisons.
c. Discuss mitigation with the discussion of effects and analyze (do not simply list) the mitigation options to convey the efficacy of the proposed mitigation when applied to the identified impact.
d. Sufficiently evaluate the No Action Alternative, including projects that are not directly part of the proposed action but have a close causal relationship with respect to impacts discussion. These projects would still occur with the selection of the No Action alternative and should be considered here.
9. The Draft EA/EIS shall:
a. Summarize all alternatives, information, and analyses submitted by State, Tribal, and local governments and other public commenters during the scoping process.
10. Ensure USAF has considered all alternatives, information, and analyses submitted by the public, including State, Tribal, and local governments as well as individuals and organizations.
11. Provide internal reference to other relevant sections of the environmental document or to appendices.
Reasonably Foreseeable Actions and Cumulative Effects (Chapters 4):
Shall define the region of impact/influence for each resource section and shall include a list of projects that (past, present, reasonably forseeable) add or subtract cumulatively from the impact evaluated in Chapters 3. Not all resources need cumulative impacts write-ups and the section should discuss that resources X,Y,Z have negligible cumulative effects and are therefore not discussed further. This write up should be succinct and germane to the proposed action and alternatives. If there are different alternatives with different cumulative impact effects, that will be highlighted for the reader.
Summary of Environmental Management and Mitigations (5):
Environmental management and mitigations shall be discussed in Chapter 3 along with how mitigation options offset impacts. A summary of these activities and mitigation options will be provided in Chapter 5 so that information on environmental management and mitigations is readily available for the reader and agency decisions-makers. Note that the decision-maker and Air Force retain the decision space for which mitigations to implement based on the analysis.
List of Preparers (7):
12. The environmental impact statement shall:
a. List the names, qualifications (expertise, experience, professional disciplines), of the persons responsible for preparing the EA/EIS.
b. Identify the persons responsible for a particular analysis, technical review, policy review and oversight, and direction, including analyses in background papers.
c. Not to exceed two pages.
Appendix
13. To the extent an Appendix is prepared, publish it in a concise fashion and with the environmental impact statement. As applicable, this section shall only consist of:
a. Material prepared in connection with an environmental assessment (as distinct from material that is not so prepared and is incorporated by reference.
b. Material substantiating any analysis fundamental to the EA/EIS
c. Material relevant to the decision to be made.
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