EIS Format and Content
Most of the information and analysis developed through the EIS process is presented in
a single document. Key components of the EIS are described below. The actual
organization of the EIS varies from project-to-project and from Region-to-Region.
Summary
The summary presents an overview of the contents of the EIS and a comparison of impacts
expected for the proposal and alternatives.
Purpose and Need
This section explains the purpose and need for the proposal and our authority for
taking action on the proposal. The section may also describe the relationships
between our authority to consider the proposal and the other legal and regulatory
authorities that apply to the activities that might result. We include a summary of
the scoping process here (or in the section on consultation and coordination) that
identifies the concerns, alternatives, and mitigation measures that are considered in
detail in subsequent sections of the EIS.
Proposed Action and Alternatives
Scenarios are presented that describe the activities assumed for the proposal and each
alternative. The description details any mitigation measures, such as lease
stipulations for lease sale EISs, that are being considered for adoption. This
section also summarizes the impacts expected to result for the proposal and each
alternative, including no action.
Affected Environment
This section describes the elements of the natural, social, and economic environments
that might be affected by the proposal or the alternatives. Emphasis is placed on
the current status of each element and any trends that may be evident. For example,
a potentially affected bird might be described in terms of its population, distribution,
habits, and current condition. This section provides a baseline against which
changes that might be caused by the proposal can be measured.
Expected Impacts
This section presents our assessment of the impacts that might be expected if the
activities presented in the scenarios occur. A separate analysis is presented for
the proposal and each alternative. Direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts are
evaluated. Each analysis describes the nature, severity, and duration of estimated
impacts. If the project could result in oil spills, the EIS also describes the risk
of spills occurring or contacting particular resources. A conclusion about predicted
impacts is presented for each concern analyzed.
Consultation and Coordination
This section documents how we consulted with government, public, and individual
interests during preparation of the EIS. The principal emphasis of this section is a
summary of the public comments that we received on the draft EIS and our response to those
comments. Other types of information included in this section are:
We have established formal agreements with the EPA to cooperate in preparing some EISs.
The EPA normally prepares or assists with the water quality analysis and air
quality analysis because they regulate air emissions and discharges into marine waters
from OCS operations. We may also be a cooperating agency on an EIS prepared by
another Federal agency, such as the Army Corps of Engineers, for proposed oil and gas
activities.
During development of the EIS, we also consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) about the potential effects of oil
and gas activities on species protected under the Endangered
Species Act.
Appendices
This section contains a variety of technical reports that support the analysis of
expected impacts. Normally included among those reports are: our assessment of
amounts oil and gas resources that might be discovered in and produced from the area
covered by the proposal (program and leasing EISs); our assessment of the probabilities
that oil spills might occur and the possible movements of spilled oil; and a description
of equipment and procedures that would be used to respond to an oil spill.
For more information, contact James F. Bennett.
