For projects requiring review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), identifying potential environmental considerations early can help teams make more informed decisions while project plans and schedules still have flexibility.
Start With Existing Information
Before the next phase begins, teams can use available information to develop a clearer picture of potential environmental considerations.
Existing mapping, concepts or project plans, previous studies, early agency feedback, and other readily available information can help screen for resources that may warrant additional review.
Early preliminary environmental screenings are an important part of project planning and development. They can help identify:
- Wetlands and streams
- Potential permitting requirements
- Threatened and endangered species
- Important farmland
- Air quality maintenance or nonattainment areas
- National Register Historic Districts
- Other protected resources
Identifying these resources early can help project teams understand potential constraints that could affect project timelines down the road.
Identify Potential Constraints Earlier
One of the benefits of beginning environmental review during project planning and development is the opportunity to identify potential constraints while a project still has flexibility.
A wetland, protected species habitat, historic property, or other environmental consideration discovered late in the process may be more difficult to address after designs and schedules have been established.
When these considerations are understood earlier, project teams have more opportunity to evaluate options and incorporate environmental due diligence into project schedules and decisions.
Early stakeholder identification and agency scoping are also important aspects of project planning and development. Obtaining feedback can help validate project assumptions, refine the scope of environmental studies, and reduce the risk of unexpected concerns later in the NEPA process.
You don’t need every environmental question answered before fieldwork begins. The important first step is to understand which questions remain and develop a plan to address them.
Have projects on the horizon? Contact EnviroScience to discuss how early NEPA and environmental planning can help your team prepare for the work ahead.
Part 2 of 4 in EnviroScience’s NEPA Planning Series.
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