§ 1502.1 - Purpose of environmental impact statement.

§ 1502.1 Purpose of environmental impact statement.

(a) The primary purpose of an environmental impact statement prepared pursuant to section 102(2)(C) of NEPA is to

ensure

serve as an action-forcing device by ensuring agencies consider the environmental

impacts

effects of their

actions

action in decision making

. It

, so that the policies and goals defined in the Act are infused into the ongoing programs and actions of the Federal Government.

(b) Environmental impact statements shall provide full and fair discussion of significant

environmental impacts

effects and shall inform decision makers and the public of reasonable alternatives that would avoid or minimize adverse

impacts

effects or enhance the quality of the human environment. Agencies shall focus on

significant

important environmental issues and reasonable alternatives and shall reduce paperwork and the accumulation of extraneous background data.

Statements

(c) Environmental impact statements shall be concise, clear, and to the point, and shall be supported by evidence that the agency has made the necessary environmental analyses. An environmental impact statement is more than a disclosure document

that informs Federal agency decision making and the public

. Federal agencies shall use environmental impact statements in conjunction with other relevant material to plan actions, involve the public, and make decisions.