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Alternatives

0. Alternatives. Categorical Exclusion Training Class. CEQ Regulations. According to the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) regulations for implementing NEPA:

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Alternatives

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  1. 0 Alternatives Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  2. CEQ Regulations According to the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) regulations for implementing NEPA: The alternatives analysis section “is the heart of the environmental impact statement…it should present the environmental impacts of the proposal and the alternatives in comparative form, thus sharply defining the issues and providing a clear basis for choice among options by the decision maker and the public.” - 40 CFR 1502.14 Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  3. CEQ Regulations Agencies shall: (a) Explore and objectively evaluate all reasonable alternatives and briefly discuss why an alternative was eliminated (b) Devote substantial treatment to each alternative considered in detail including the preferred alternative…to evaluate their comparative merits (c) Include reasonable alternatives not within the jurisdiction of the lead agency Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  4. CEQ Regulations (d) Include the No-Build alternative (e) Identify the preferred alternative(s), if one or more exists, and identify such alternative in the analysis unless another law prohibits the expression of such a preference (f) Include appropriate mitigation measures not already included in the proposed action or alternatives - 40 CFR 1502.14 Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  5. Alternatives Analysis 0 • Critical element of the environmental document • Part of the decision-making process • Needs to be clear and concise • Justifies selection of the Preferred Alternative and the elimination of other alternatives • 23 CFR 771.125(a)(1) • Someone unfamiliar with the project should be able to read this section and follow the process • Critical to illustrate how the Preferred was selected over others Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  6. Alternatives Analysis • Clearly indicate why and how the range of alternatives was developed • Explain why and how alternatives were eliminated from consideration • Include: • Criteria used for elimination • Who was involved in establishing the criteria for assessing alternatives • At what point in the process were alternatives eliminated Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  7. Alternatives Analysis 0 • Be candid about rationale for developing, evaluating, and eliminating alternatives • If an alternative is eliminated because it does not meet the P&N, explain accordingly • Always include the No-Build Alternative • Consider and discuss in analysis • Illustrate existing conditions and how future conditions may worsen • Sets the stage for developing alternatives • A baseline against which other alternatives are compared Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  8. Alternatives Analysis • Develop Impacts Matrix • Excellent tool to evaluate all alternatives under consideration • Illustrates impacts and benefits for each alternative • Include mapping in project file • Designate as Part of CE 8 Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  9. Alternatives Analysis 0 • Depending upon the type and nature of the proposed undertaking, more detailed analysis may be needed to adequately explain the rationale for selecting a preferred alternative • Consider agency and public views • Justify completed studies • Utilize impacts matrix • Very important if proposed undertaking and subsequent alternatives are controversial 9 Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  10. Points to Remember • Discussion mustclearly and concisely demonstrate the decision-making process • Why No-Build is not feasible • Why other alternatives were eliminated • Why the Preferred Alternative was selected • Alternatives Analysis tied to P&N • Preferred Alternative must meet P&N • Environmental document should focus on environmental impacts • Other considerations can be included 10 Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  11. Online CE 11 Categorical Exclusion Training Class

  12. Online CE 12 Categorical Exclusion Training Class

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