What's Important and When
NEPA
As a federal agency, GSA must comply with the requirements of the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This requires that GSA consider alternatives and
relative impacts of its actions during the decision process. NEPA may be more relevant to
new construction projects (in comparison to R&A), but it must always be considered.
New projects may require more detailed actions, such as Environmental Assessments
(EAs) or Environmental Impact Statements (EISs). Although some impacts cannot be
addressed properly until the design phase, early evaluation of alternatives and the
development of realistic customer expectations are key tasks. The GSA's NEPA Desk
Guide provides detailed information on both the NEPA requirements and the
evaluation process. Much of the NEPA activity occurs during site selection, when
alternate sites are evaluated and the preferred sites are fully examined before acquisition.
Pre-Planning
Becomes familiar with conditions in the assets and community that may be
addressed on the NEPA Checklist.
Feasibility Study
Considers the NEPA-related impacts of various alternatives.
Begins informal consultations with local officials, stakeholders, and/or experts.
Ensures that the customer understands the NEPA process and sets
expectations accordingly.
Includes a plan for the NEPA process in the Project Management Plan that
supports the Site/Design Prospectus.
Provides supporting information for GSA's Environmental Checklist, which is
submitted with the Site/Design Prospectus.
Program Development Study
Ensures that required NEPA mitigation measures that affect the construction
budget or schedule are incorporated into the construction request.
Site Selection
The site is not selected until after a thorough site investigation, which occurs later in
the process, typically two or more years after the Feasibility Study's completion. The
Feasibility Study sets the parameters and direction that are crucial to the acquisition
of a high-quality site that meets the project's needs. The Site Selection Guide is a valuable
tool to consult throughout the process, from the feasibility phase through final
site acquisition.
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