This handbook provides information on responding to comments on an environmental impact statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). It provides information for developing responses to comments on both a Draft EIS and Final EIS, and covers the issues associated with responding to comments on an Environmental Assessment (EA). Key issues to consider when responding to comments on an EIS include inviting comments, receiving and sorting comments, reviewing and responding to comments, and responding to FEIS comments. Practical tips addressed include inviting comments, receiving and sorting comments, developing responses to comments, ensuring accuracy and consistency, and formats for presenting DEIS comments and responses in the FEIS.
Handbook Resources
CEQ, “Forty Most Asked Questions Concerning CEQ’s NEPA Regulations” (March 16, 1981)
CEQ, “Improving the Process for Preparing Efficient and Timely Environmental Reviews under NEPA” (March 6, 2012)
https://ceq.doe.gov/ceq_regulations/guidance.html
Bureau of Land Management, National Environmental Policy Act Handbook (H-1790-1) (Jan. 2008)
http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/info/nepa.html
FHWA, USACE, et al., “Synchronizing Environmental Reviews for Transportation and Other Infrastructure Projects: 2015 Red Book” (Sept. 2015)
https://www.environment.fhwa.dot.gov/strmlng/Redbook_2015.asp
USDOT, “Final Guidance on MAP-21 Section 1319 Accelerated Decisionmaking in Environmental Reviews” (Oct. 2014)
https://www.transportation.gov/office-policy/transportation-policy/gui
dance-accelerated-decision-making-environmental-reviews