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Since 1970, a new law obligates many federal agencies to document their projects’ impacts on the natural world, and to allow public comment on ventures such as pipelines, new highway routes, dams and other projects at public hearings.
The disastrous oil well blowout near Santa Barbara in 1969 spurred the new law, which requires preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement, or EIS for large federal projects.
An EIS must comprehensively describe a proposed project and its likely impacts, and review project alternatives. Previously, developers of large dams, refineries and other major industrial developments would often obtain their permits while providing only scanty details about the project’s safety.
The reviewing agencies for the 1000-mile Trans-Alaska crude oil Pipeline prepared one of the first EISes under the new law in 1971. That EIS ballooned from its initial 294 pages to 3500 pages in 9 volumes, as it responded to 12,000 comments.
In some ways, the EIS requirements had become a full employment act for attorneys and consultants.
It seems like EIS writers never use five words when they can use ten. I wonder if they use a special word processing program that converts every sentence to the passive tense.
The EIS process can be cumbersome. Some refer to an EIS as a “paper monkeywrench” to delay projects, referencing the Edward Abbey tome, but in a good way.
I love EISes. I’ve seen countless projects improved from allowing public comment.
I wrote all of this before the Army Corps decided yesterday to require an EIS for the Dakota Access pipeline. An EIS will improve that project, too.
There’s also an updated saying,”Even a pootie can look at a king.”
I admire that aspect about the EIS process and public hearings. I’ve seen homeless people attend an EIS meeting and humble the billionaire developer’s minions by crisply summarizing the project’s adverse impacts. That’s an important part of democracy to me, that anyone has a chance to tell off the big shots.
Developers hate the EIS process. Sometimes they even persuade Congress to intervene, most recently regarding the KXL Pipeline, when proposed legislation stated that KXL had been studied enough and didn’t need another EIS. We’ll hear a lot about EISes in the coming weeks, I thought some background would be helpful.
In the meantime, I’m presenting a mock EIS on renovations to my own backyard, as part of my continuing commentary on my frog-friendly mitigation area. Please provide your thoughts in the comment section.
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT—UNAUTHORIZED EXPANSION OF THE FROG MITIGATION AREA
SETTING
In the Milky Way Galaxy, the Solar System, 3rd rock from the sun, northwestern hemisphere, Province of Ecotopia, Redwoodman is seeking an after-the-fact environmental review and permit for moving a waterfall, adding a second 4’ x 6’ pond, and deepening a 25-foot channel to hold 4 inches of water.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
RELOCATION OF THE WATERFALL, POND DEEPENED
THE NEW WATERFALL LOCATION, WITH ENLARGED POND
I’m expecting a passel of chorus frogs to show up in about 3 months at the beginning of March. After mating, the female frogs will attach their sticky egg sacs to the stems of underwater plants. The older pond supported dozens of frog egg sacs this year. Here’s what kind of plant stems are available for frog eggs in the older pond.
PROJECT ALTERNATIVES FOR REVEGETATING THE NEW, ENLARGED POND.
The older pond’s plantings (pictured above) are all lilies and arrowhead (wapato). I have some irises, lilies, and a small cattail in the new pond. I need to add more shallow rooted stemmy plants because there is only 12-16 inches of water. They’ll also have to be hardy and survive a few mild frosts. I’d appreciate any suggestions.
So far this portion of the EIS has received only two comments, one with an attached photo, as follows:
“We object to your failure to properly stock the new pond with large, slow moving well fed goldfish like these:
NOW IT’S YOUR TURN
Should you prepare an EIS for your next back yard project? What have you noted in your area or travels? As usual, please post your observations and general location in your comments. I’ll respond in between working on an endless list of garden chores.
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