Alternatives

Question 1

What is included in the alternatives section

Answer 1

Heart of Document
Compare Impacts
Sharply defines issues
Clear basis for choice

Question 2

Agencies must agree to what in the alternatives section

Answer 2

• Evaluate all reasonable alternatives and explain
  reason for eliminating some alternatives from
  detailed study
• Give substantial treatment to alternatives
  considered in detail
• Include alternatives outside our jurisdiction
• Include the no action alternative
• Identify the preferred alternative (for EIS’s)
• Include mitigation

Question 3

All reasonable alternatives to the proposed action will

Answer 3

Fulfill the purpose and need
AND
Address significant issues

Question 4

List the two interpretations of the no action alternatives

Answer 4

• No Change from current management
• Proposed project does not take place

Question 5

Alternatives outside the NEPA jurisdiction must…

Answer 5

Actions the Forest Service cannot impose, but can be imposed by another agency or entity.

These alternatives should…
Fulfill the purpose and need, and Address significant issues

Question 6

When Generating Alternatives one must…

Answer 6

• Where there is substantial disagreement,
  provide an alternative that covers one or more
  points of view (addresses the issues)
• Identify the no-action alternative early
• Combine parts of alternatives logically
• Discuss all possible combinations of issues
• Emphasize range of opportunities and resource
  values

Question 7

Reasons to Eliminate Alternatives from Detailed Study

Answer 7

Illegal
Failure to meet purpose and need
Technologically infeasible
Clearly unreasonable
Duplication within the existing range of alternatives
Decision already made
Unreasonable environmental harm
Cannot be implemented
Remote or speculative

Question 8

What is the range of alternatives

Answer 8

A range of reasonable alternatives would be
well-distributed along a continuum of
responses to issues.

Question 9

what is the Role of the Decision Maker/Responsible Official in Alternative Development

Answer 9

• Decide which alternatives to a proposed action
  merit detailed study and analysis
• Identify the preferred alternatives (when
  required and one or more exists)

Question 10

What is mitigation

Answer 10

Measures designed to reduce or
prevent undesirable effects.

Question 11

What are ways to mitigate

Answer 11

Avoid the impact by not taking action
Minimize the impact by limiting action
Rectify the impact by rehabilitation
Reduce the impact by maintenance
Compensate for the impact by replacement

Question 12

What is adaptive management

Answer 12

A concept on how to address uncertainty in environmental management and learn as you implement

• managerial flexibility

Question 13

Define managerial flexibility

Answer 13

Ability to flex or modify an alternative in
response to natural or human events, new
information, or unforeseen outcomes

Question 14

What are the Adaptive Management Cautions

Answer 14

1. do not abuse
2. don’t use it to cover data gaps
3. don’t use it to reduce the range of alternatives
4. be very clear of alternative action and its potential impacts

Question 15

Explain the Substantial Treatment of Alternatives

Answer 15

• Devote substantial treatment to each
  alternative (including the proposed action) so
  that reviewers may evaluate their comparative
  merits.
• The description of each alternative should be
  equal and site specific.
• Alternatives should be described objectively.
• Include in your alternative descriptions
  whether each alternative is consistent with
  your overall programmatic (Forest) Plan.

Question 16

What is needed for the alternative comparison?

Answer 16

Response to Purpose and Need
Environmental effects (required by 40 CFR 1502.14)
Response to significant issues
Plan consistency
Production of goods and services
Achievement of Plan goals
Compliance with legal obligations
Economic and social effects
Any other items the decision maker wants compared