How many Environmental Impact Statements (EIS') and Environmental
Assessments (EAs) are completed each year under the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and what is the breakdown (number) by
agency (EPA, Corps of Engineers, etc.) for these documents.

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Request for Question Clarification by politicalguru-ga on 01 Jul 2003 05:35 PDT

Dear Wetland, 

I've found the numbers of studies conducted each year, but without the
breakdown by agency. I hope that another researcher would manage to
answer your question fully. If not, would you consider accepting my
answer?

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Clarification of Question by wetland2-ga on 01 Jul 2003 06:35 PDT

I actually have an estimate for the number of EAs and EISa each year
but would like verification, but the real important part is the number
that generally fall out under each of the major agencies...at least
those that are led by EPA, Corps, F&WS, BLM, National Forest Service,
etc.  I appreciate your help...but with more detail it would have more
value...so thanks but I'll see if someone else can get at this one for
me.  I understand it is a challenge...I have been digging around
myself for a while this morning.

thanks again

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Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 01 Jul 2003 10:49 PDT

Hello wetland2-ga,

Nice to see you back!

As you've found out yourself -- and as politicalguru has confirmed --
the data you are seeking are somewhat elusive.  Here's what I've
uncovered thus far:

--I have very detailed breakouts for number of EIS' for each agency,
and for major programs within agencies.  For instance, data on the
number of EIS' from the US Department of Energy are broken up into a
number of categories:

U.S. Department of Energy 

Power Facilities: Hydroelectric 
Power Facilities: Transmission 
Power Facilities: Nuclear (e.g., AEC, TVA) 
Power Facilities: Conservation and Other 
Comprehensive Resource Management 
Radioactive Waste Disposal 
Nuclear Development (e.g., Fuel, Reactors) 
Other Water Projects 
Fisheries 
Natural Gas and Oil: Transportation/Pipeline/Storage



There are two important caveats though:  

(1) these are the number of EIS' *filed* (not necessarily finalized),
and

(2) the most recent data available is for 1997.

1997 data isn't as bad as it seems.  According to more up-to-date
totals for all EIS' filed each year, the annual grand total hasn't
changed much since 1997, and the data for 2001 (most recent year
available) is pretty much the same as 1997 -- for the *grand totals*.

It's probably a reasonable assumption that the sub-totals for each
agency haven't changed that much either...there are a few agencies
that account for the lion's share, and then a trickle of EIS' from
other agencies.

As for EAs and FONSIs, I'm not sure data on the numbers done each year
has ever been compiled...at least, I haven't found any.

Let me know if the detailed 1997 agency-specific data for EIS' --
along with grand totals data through 2001 -- would suit you as an
answer to your question.

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Clarification of Question by wetland2-ga on 01 Jul 2003 13:46 PDT

Yes paalafa-ga...that seems very acceptable.  Thanks!

Hello again watershed2-ga,

Thanks for an interesting question. 

There were a total of 498 EIS's filed with EPA in 1997.  The
Department of Agriculture tops the list with 128 EIS'.  The full
listing is available in the Appendix of the Council of Environmental
Quality Annual Report for 1997:

http://ceq.eh.doe.gov/nepa/reports/1997/index.html


Appendix - NEPA Statistical Tables 


Table 3. 1997 Environmental Impact Statements Filed with the
Environmental
Protection Agency


Agency/Subject...........................................Totals

U.S. Department of Agriculture .............................128
-Natural Gas and Oil: Drilling and Exploration ...............1
-Forestry and Range Management.............................. 86
-Parks, Recreation & Wilderness Areas, National Seashores... 15
-Land Acquisition or Disposal, Management Jurisd. Transfer... 1
-Watershed Protection and Flood Control ......................8
Pesticides, Herbicides Use ...................................5
Road Construction............................................ 1
Mining (Non-Energy).......................................... 6
Irrigation, Desalination of Return Flow, Agri Water Supply... 2
Other Water Projects......................................... 3

U.S. Department of Commerce .................................15
-Wetlands, Estuary and Ocean Use (Sanctuary, Disposal, etc) ..3
-Fisheries ...................................................4
-Wildlife Refuges, Fish Hatcheries ...........................1
-Other Water Projects ........................................4
-Comprehensive Resource Management........................... 2
-Buildings....................................................1

U.S. Department of the Air Force ............................14
-Military Installations (Conventional, Chem, Nuclear, etc).. 14

U.S. Department of the Army .................................13
-Military Installations (Conventional, Chem, Nuclear, etc) ..12
-Forestry and Range Management ...............................1

U.S. Department of the Navy .................................23
-Military Installations (Conventional, Chem, Nuclear, etc).. 21
-Defense Systems............................................. 2

U.S. Marine Corps ............................................4
-Military Installations (Conventional, Chem, Nuclear, etc)... 1
-Sewage Treatment and Sewage Facilities ......................1
-Watershed Protection and Flood Control...................... 2

U.S. Army Department of the Corps of Engineers ..............48
-Military Installations (Conventional, Chem, Nuclear, etc)... 3
-Beach Erosion, Hurricane Prot., River/Lake Stabilization.... 3
-Navigation.................................................. 7
-Dredge and Fill............................................. 7
-Watershed Protection and Flood Control..................... 14
-Other Water Projects ........................................5
-Drainage ....................................................2
-Road Improvements ...........................................1
-Mining (Non-Energy)......................................... 3
-Wetlands, Estuary and Ocean Use (Sanctuary, Disposal, etc.). 1
-Multi-Purpose Impoundments ..................................2

U.S. Department of Energy................................... 17
-Power Facilities: Hydroelectric .............................1
-Power Facilities: Transmission.............................. 2
-Power Facilities: Nuclear (e.g., AEC, TVA).................. 2
-Power Facilities: Conservation and Other ....................3
-Comprehensive Resource Management ...........................2
-Radioactive Waste Disposal ..................................2
-Nuclear Development (e.g., Fuel, Reactors) ..................1
-Other Water Projects ........................................1
-Fisheries ...................................................1
-Natural Gas and Oil: Transportation/Pipeline/Storage........ 2

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency .........................5
-Dredge and Fill .............................................1
-Mining...................................................... 3
-Other Water Projects ........................................1

U.S. General Service Administration......................... 10
-Buildings for Federal Use................................... 5
-Road Improvements ...........................................1
-Buildings, Federally Licensed or Assisted .................. 4

U.S. Department of the Interior............................. 80
-Natural Gas and Oil: Drilling and Exploration............... 4
-Land Acquisition or Disposal, Mgmt Jurisdiction Transfer ....3
-Parks, Recreation Areas, Wilderness Areas, Nat Seashores ...17
-Forestry and Range Management ..............................19
-Mining (Non-Energy)........................................ 15
-Comprehensive Resource Management ...........................3
-Other Water Projects ........................................5
-Wildlife Refuges, Fish Hatcheries ...........................5
-Mining...................................................... 3
-Irrigation, Desalination of Return Flows, Agri Water Supply..3
-Road Construction ...........................................1
-Municipal and Industrial Water Supply Systems............... 2

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission........................... 2
-Power Facilities: Conservation and Other Mining............. 2

U.S. Tennessee Valley Authority ..............................6
-Power Facilities: Fossil ....................................1
-Power Facilities: Conservation and Other.................... 1
-Power Facilities: Nuclear (e.g., AEC, TVA).................. 2
-Power Facilities: Transmission ..............................1
-Other Water Projects ........................................1

U.S. Department of Transportation ..........................100
-Road Construction ..........................................75
-Airport Improvements .......................................11
-Bridge Permits ..............................................5
-Other Permits/Approvals..................................... 3
-Mass Transportation .........................................5
-Military Installations (Conventional, Chem, Nuclear, etc.).. 1
-U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ..................20
-Power Facilities: Hydroelectric .............................5
-Power Facilities: Conservation and Other.................... 3
-Power Facilities: Transmission ..............................2
-Natural Gas and Oil: Transportation/Pipeline/Storage........ 7

U.S. National Capital Planning Commission ....................2
-
Parks, Recreation Areas, Wilderness Areas, National Seashores.2

U.S. Department of Justice................................... 3
-Buildings for Federal Use................................... 3

U.S. Safety Transportation Board............................. 2
-Railroads................................................... 2

U.S. National Aeronautics/Space Administration............... 5
-Space Programs ..............................................5

Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission...... 1
-Other Water Projects........................................ 1

TOTAL ALL AGENCIES..........................................498

----------------------------------

Unfortunately, CEQ stopped producing their annual reports after 1997. 
Although their website does provide some updates on environmental
statistics, the NEPA data does not appear to be included.

However, an EPA document, "Number of EISs Published by All Federal
Agencies (1973 - 2001)", available at this site:

http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/publications/nepa/index.html

provides a more up-to-date graph of the total number of EIS' received
by the Agency for each year, through 2001.  As the graph makes clear,
the total of 498 EIS for 1997 has not changed significantly in
subsequent years, and has in fact, remained at the level of about 500
per year since the early 1990's.

I hope this information meets your needs.  If you need any additional
explanation or information, just let me know through a request for
clarification, and I'll be happy to assist you further.

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Clarification of Answer by pafalafa-ga on 01 Jul 2003 14:57 PDT

As soon as I posted my answer, I realized I got your name wrong.  At
least I was in the right ecosystem!!!!

paf

Great response and very inciteful into the specific needs I had.  Thanks!

Thanks for your kind remarks and all those stars...they're always
appreciated.  Hope we'll see you back at GA soon.

paf