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Implementation In 1978 CEQ promulgated regulations [40 CFR Parts 1500-1508] implementing NEPA which are binding on all federal agencies, The regulations address the procedural provisions of NEP A and the administration of the NEP A process, including preparation of EISs. To date, the only change ip the NEP A regulations occurred on May 27,1986, when CEQ amended Section 1502.22 of its regulations to clarify how agencies are to carry out their environmental evaluations in situations where information is incomplete or unavailable. CEQ has also issued guidance on various aspects of the regulations including, an information document on "Forty Most Asked Questions Concerning CEQ's Notionol Environmental Policy Act", Scoping Guidance, and Guidance Regarding NEPA Regulations, Additionally, most federal agencies have promulgated their own NEPA regulations and guidance which generally follow the CEQ procedures but are tailored for the specific mission and activities of the agency, The NEP A Process The NEP A process consists of an evaluation of the environmental effects of a federal undertaking including its alternatives. There are three levels of analysis depending on whether or not an undertaking could significantly affect the environment. These three levels include, categorical exclusion determination; preparation of an environmental assessmenUfinding of no significant impact (EAlFONSI); and preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS). At the first level, an undertaking may be categorically excluded from a detailed environmental analysis if it meets certain criteria which a federal agency has previously determined as having no significant environmental impact. A number of agencies have developed lists of actions which are normally categorically excluded from environmental evaluation under their NEP A regulations, At the second level of analysis, a federal agency prepares a written environmental assessment (EA) to determine whether or not a federal undertaking would significantly affect the environment. If the answer is no, the agency issues a finding of no significant impact 2 (FONSI), The FONSI may address measures which an agency will take to reduce (mitigate) potentially significant impacts. If the EA determines that the environmental consequences of a proposed federal undertaking may be significant, an EIS is prepared. An EIS is a more detailed evaluation of the proposed action and alternatives, The public, other federal agencies and outside parties may provide input into the preparation of an EIS and then comment on the draft EIS when it is completed, If a federal agency anticipates that an undertaking may significantly impact the environment, or if a project is environmentally controversial, a federal agency may choose to prepare an EIS without having to first prepare an EA. After a final EIS is prepared and at the time of its decision, a federal agency will prepare a public record of its decision addressing how the findings of the EIS, including consideration of alternatives, were incorporated into the agency's decision-making process, During the latter half of the 1980s, approximately 450 draft and final EISs were prepared annually on federal actions. During that same period between 10,000 and 20,000 EAs were prepared annually. ,. EA And EIS Components An EA is described in Section 1508.9 of the Council's NEPA regulations, Generally, an EA includes brief discussions of the following: the need for the proposal; alternatives (when there is an unresolved conflict concerning alternative uses of available resources); the environmental impacts of the proposed action and alternatives; and a listing of agencies and persons consulted, An EIS, which is described in Part 1502 of the regulations. should include discussions of the purpose of and need for the action, alternatives, the affected environment, the environmental consequences of the proposed action, lists of preparers, agencies, organizations and persons ,to whom the statement is sent, an index, and an appendix (if any). Federal Agency Roles The role of a federal agency in the NEI'A process depends on the agency's expertise and relationship to the proposed undertaking. The agency carrying out the federal action is responsible for complying with the requirements '3