RPO DEFINITIONS & ACRONYMS

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Categorical Exclusions (CE) is an action that does not individually or cumulatively have a significant impact on the human environment. A Categorical Exclusion does not require an Environmental Assessment or an Environmental Impact Statement. CEs are prepared for federal actions that do not have a significant human and natural environmental effect.

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Draft EIS (DEIS) and Final EIS (FEIS) are disclosure documents that provide a full description of the proposed project, the existing environment, and analysis of the anticipated beneficial and adverse environmental effects of all reasonable alternatives.

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Environmental Assessments (EA) are prepared for federal actions where it is not clearly known how significant the environmental impact might be. An EA is an interim decision document prepared for an action where the significance of social, economic, or environmental impact is not clearly established. If, after preparing an Environmental Assessment, it is determined that the project's impact is significant, an Environmental Impact Statement is then prepared. If not, a finding of "no significant impact" is documented.

Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) are prepared for federal actions that have a significant effect on the human and natural environment. EIS is a document, required under the National Environmental Policy Act, prepared for an action that is likely to have significant impact. This document summarizes the major environmental impacts, outlines issues, examines reasonable alternatives, and arrives at a record of decision, identifying the selected alternative for the project.

EPA - Environmental Protection Agency is a government agency, established in 1970, whose mission is to protect human health and safeguard the natural environment, air water and land, upon which life depends.

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FAA - Federal Aviation Administration is a branch of the United States Department of Transportation that regulates civil aviation to promote safety and fulfill the requirements of national defense, develops and operates a common system of air traffic control and navigation for both civil and military aircraft.

Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is a statement indicating that a project was found to have no significant impacts on the quality of the human environment and for which an environmental statement will therefore not be prepared.

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NAAQS - National Ambient Air Quality Standards are the standards required by the Clean Air Act to protect human health and the environment.

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Record of Decision (ROD) is a concise decision document for an environmental impact statement that states the decision (selected alternative or choice), other alternatives considered, and mitigation adopted for the selected alternative or choice.

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State Implementation Plan (SIP) are the regulations and other materials for meeting Clean Air Standards and associated Clean Air Act requirements.

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