A procedure for evaluating environmental impact

Abstract

In a recent article in "Science" discussing the En- vironmental Policy Act of 1969, Gillette (1971) states "The law's instructions for preparing an impact re- port apparently are not specific enough to insure that an agency will fully, or even usefully, examine the environmental effects of the projects it plans." This report contains a procedure that may assist in develop- ing uniform environmental impact statements. The Department of the Interior and the Council on Environ- mental Quality will appreciate comments on the pro- cedure here proposed. The heart of the system is a matrix which is gen- eral enough to be used as a reference checklist or a reminder of the full range of actions and impacts on the environment that may relate to proposed actions. The marked matrix also serves as an abstract of the text of the environmental assessment to enable the many reviewers of impact reports to determine quickly what are considered to be the significant impacts and their relative importance as evaluated by the origina- tor of the impact report. Many exhaustive studies of the use of matrices for environmental studies are now being undertaken. (See Sorensen, 1971.) This comparatively simple sys- tem is intended as a guide for the many people who are faced with the evaluation and preparation of en- vironmental impact reports before the results of these studies have been completed. It should be borne in mind that there is presently no uniformity in approach or agreement upon objectives in an impact analysis and this generalized matrix is a step in that direction. The procedure does not limit the development of de- tail in any specific aspect of the environment; a sepa- rate expanded matrix for any environmental aspect can easily be developed within the framework provided