Studies from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Yield New Data on Forestry.

According to a study from Falls Church, United States, "The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and its accompanying regulations provide a spectrum of alternative analytical pathways for federal agencies proposing major actions that might significantly impact the human environment."

"Although guidance from the President's Council on Environmental Quality suggests the decision to develop an environmental impact statement (EIS), which requires the most rigorous level of analysis, should be based on the likelihood of significant environmental impacts, findings from an Internet survey with US Forest Service project leaders suggest that the decision may more commonly be. based on process-related risks, including the threat of litigation, perceived defensibility in court, and the level of public and political interest in the agency's proposed action," wrote M.J. Mortimer and colleagues, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

The researchers concluded: "An analysis of judicial decisions in NEPA-related litigation reveals that EISs do not appear to be more defensible than environmental assessments in the courts, suggesting that current decisionmaking about NEPA documentation may be misguided, leading to unnecessary project expenditures and delays."

Mortimer and colleagues published the results of their research in the Journal of Forestry (Environmental and Social Risks: Defensive National Environmental Policy Act in the US Forest Service. Journal of Forestry, 2011;109(1):27-33).

For additional information, contact M.J. Mortimer, Virginia Technical, No Virginia Center, Nat Resource Graduate Programs, National Capital Reg, Room 411, 7054 Haycock Rd., Falls Church, VA 22043, United States..

The publisher of the Journal of Forestry can be contacted at: Society American Foresters, 5400 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA.

Keywords: City:Falls Church, State:Virginia, Country:United States, Conservation, Ecology, Environmental Impact, Environmental Policy, Forestry, Legal Issues

This article was prepared by Ecology, Environment & Conservation editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2011, Ecology, Environment & Conservation via VerticalNews.com.