EPA announces e-filing system for environmental reviews.
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Press Release Summary:
With e-NEPA online system, federal agencies can submit environmental impact statements electronically, eliminating need to mail or deliver copies to EPA headquarters, which reduces printing, shipping and delivery costs. Process also improves transparency, allowing EPA to post EIS documents to website. As of October 1, 2012, all agencies are required to use e-NEPA filing system.
Original Press Release:
EPA Announces New Electronic Filing System for Environmental Reviews
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced e-NEPA, a new online system that allows federal agencies to submit environmental impact statements (EISs) electronically. Traditionally, EISs have been submitted to EPA in hard copy. e-NEPA eliminates the need to mail or deliver copies of EISs to EPA headquarters, reducing printing, shipping, and delivery costs. It also saves time through electronic filing and e-confirmation and improves transparency, allowing EPA to post EIS documents to EPA’s website.
“The release of e-NEPA is an important step forward in advancing the President’s commitment to streamline the federal environmental review process,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Through electronic filing, we are making it easier for federal agencies to submit environmental impact statements, allowing them to save time and reduce costs, while making the process more transparent for the public.”
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to integrate environmental considerations into their decision-making processes by identifying the environmental impacts and reasonable alternatives to their proposed actions. To meet NEPA requirements federal agencies prepare detailed analyses known as EISs. EPA reviews, provides comments, and maintains a national filing system for EISs.
Beginning on October 1, 2012, all agencies are required to use the e-NEPA filing system.
More information about e-NEPA: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/nepa/submiteis/index.html
More information about NEPA: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/nepa/index.html
More information about how to file an EIS electronically: www.epa.gov/compliance/nepa/submiteis/guide-to-e-nepa-electronic-submittal-of-eis.pdf
