Integrating Environmental Impact Assessment with Master Planning at Army Installations
Abstract
Current Army compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is largely procedural in focus. In addition, much like other federal agencies, the Army typically conducts environmental impact assessment (EIA) for individual projects, rather than for long-range plans, where earlier and more strategic decisions are made. Considering the established legal requirements and anticipated benefits from early integration, this research study was conducted to establish the extent of NEPA integration into Army installation master planning. The research also sought to identify factors that promote or inhibit integration. The research results demonstrated that concurrent preparation of master plans and their required NEPA document is the exception at Army installations. The research also demonstrated, however, that integration can be defined as something other than concurrent timing, based on the influence of the NEPA process on master planning and decision making. The results presented in this paper support continued efforts to encourage integration, as early and effective integration of EIA into master planning can improve organizational outcomes such as support for the installation mission and NEPA compliance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA593170
Entities
People
- Anne Steinemann
- Elizabeth Keysar
- Ron Webster