Looking at the quality of draft environmental impact statements over time in the United States: Have ratings improved?

Abstract

Since the creation of the National Environmental Policy Act in 1970, the United States has required the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to rate draft environmental statements (DEIS) for both information adequacy and the impact of the preferred alternative on the environment. These two scales were examined over time to show how documents n = 19,236 DEIS have rated. The study shows that it is harder to achieve the top rating for both scales, and over time DEIS have been getting lower ratings. When the rating are disaggregated for the top agencies who submit DEIS (the Forest Service, the Army Corp of Engineers, and the Federal Highway Administration), the results indicate that there is a lack of consistent performance by agnecies that frequently submit these documents. Conclusions make recommendations for the USEPA and agencies who submit the DEIS. One major conclusion is to better track the ratings and make them collectively available for the public. Agencies are encouraged to develop a best management practice in preparing DEIS to promote agency learning.