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DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT <br />r - - <br />to carry out this mandate. The overall goal of this report is to accurately identify the migratory <br />and non-migratory bird species (beyond those already designated as federally threatened or <br />endangered) that represent the highest conservation priorities and draw attention to species in <br />need of conservation action. <br />The National Environmental Policy Act of 1970 (NEPA); 42 U.S.C. 4321 <br />NEPA was enacted to help public officials make decisions that are based on an understanding of <br />environmental consequences and take actions that protect, restore, and enhance the environment <br />[40 CFR 1500.1 (c)]. NEPA requires all Federal agencies or project proponents using Federal <br />monies to prepare environmental documentation to analyze the environmental impacts of major <br />Federal actions affecting the quality of the human environment. The level of NEPA <br />documentation; Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Environmental Assessment (EA), or <br />Categorical Exclusion; is determined by the degree of environmental impact. Generally, an EIS <br />level analysis is required for projects with significant environmental impacts. <br />Mitigation measures can be incorporated into project plans to reduce impacts to the degree that <br />they are insignificant. If that is accomplished, an EA and Finding of No Significant Impact <br />(FONSI) would be appropriate. Mitigation as defined under NEPA (40 CFR 1508.20) includes: <br />1. Avoiding the impact altogether by not taking a certain action or parts of an action. <br />2. Minimizing impacts by limiting the degree or magnitude of the action and its <br />implementation. <br />3.. Rectifying the impact by repairing, rehabilitating, or restoring the affected environment. <br />4. Reducing or eliminating the impact over time by preservation and maintenance. <br />5. Compensating for the impacts by replacing or providing substitute resources or <br />environments. <br />State Wildlife Resources Code <br />Each State has their own code for protection of wildlife resources. Please see Appendix F for <br />State codes relevant to guidelines for protection of raptors.