Quarterly SOPA
Recent Project Decisions
Project Proposals
Definition of Terms

USFS National NEPA, NFMA & Appeals
Council on Environmental Quality: NEPANet
Environmental Protection Agency Regulations

The following are definitions of some of the terms used in the Quarterly Schedule of Proposed Actions (SOPA):

Appeal Period - The 45-day period after publication of a decision documented in a DN or ROD (see following definitions) during which an administrative appeal can be filed.

Categorical Exclusion (CE) - A category of actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. Neither an environmental asessment nor an environmental impact statement is required.

Comment Period - The 30-day (EA) or 45-day (EIS) period for interested persons to provide comments to a Responsible Official on a proposed action.

Decision Memo (DM) - A concise written record of the responsible official's decision to implement an action that has been made under a categorical exclusion. A DM is used to document a decision on a minor action and is not appealable.

Decision Notice (DN) - A concise written record of the responsible official's decision based on an environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact (FONSI).

Environmental Assessment (EA) - A document prepared to determine if a proposed action, or its alternatives, may have significant environmental effects. If significant effects may occur, an EIS is prepared. If not, a FONSI and Decision Notice are issued.

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) - A document prepared for proposed actions that may have significant effects on the human environment. An EIS discloses significant issues and effects from the action and alternatives, for public review.

FONSI - Acronym for Finding of No Significant Impact. It is prepared and issued to the public when the results of an EA identify no significant impacts.

NEPA - Acronym for the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. This is the procedural guide for the decision-making and public disclosure process for site-specific project proposals and decisions.

Project - An action proposed by the Forest Service subject to public notice comment provisions under NEPA.

Record of Decision (ROD) - A concise written record of the responsible official's decision based upon an EIS.

Scoping - A process required by NEPA to solicit important issues and information related to a proposed action from within the agency, from other agencies, and from the public. Scoping aids in the development of alternatives for a proposed action.

Significance - As used in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), requires consideration of both context and intensity.