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Description / Abstract:
Introduction
For more than a decade, the Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA) has been engaged in an effort to improve the quality of
environmental documents prepared under the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA). This effort has included several initiatives
undertaken in collaboration with the American Association of State
Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the American
Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC).
In 2006, this collaborative effort resulted in the publication
of a joint report,
Improving the Quality of Environmental
Documents, which identified three core principles that should guide
the preparation of high-quality NEPA documents:
- Tell the Story: Tell the story of the project
so that the reader can easily understand the purpose and need for
the project, how each alternative would meet the project goals, and
the strengths and weaknesses associated with each alternative.
- Keep it Brief: Keep the document as brief as
possible, using clear, concise writing; an easy-to-use format;
effective graphics and visual elements; and discussion of issues
and impacts in proportion to their significance.
- Meet Legal Requirements: Ensure that the
document meets all legal requirements in a way that is easy to
follow for regulators and technical reviewers.