The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 requires federal agencies to examine the potential environmental effects of their actions to allow for more informed decision-making. An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is a detailed public document that provides an assessment of the potential effects that a major federal action might have on the human, natural, and physical environment.
The FRTC Draft EIS was prepared to assess the potential effects of the Proposed Action and Alternatives on the environment. A Notice of Availability for the Draft EIS was published in the Federal Register, and notices were placed in the aforementioned newspapers announcing the availability of the Draft EIS. The Draft EIS was available for general public and agency review and was circulated for review and comment for a 46-day period. A public meeting was advertised and held in Fallon, NV, to receive public comments on the Draft EIS.
In the Final EIS, the Navy has made changes to the Draft EIS based on comments received during the public comment period. These changes included factual corrections, additions to existing information, and improvements or modifications to the analyses in the Draft EIS. Issuance of this Final EIS is followed by a 30-day waiting and public review period.
Finally, after consideration of the administrative record, a Record of Decision (ROD) will be signed by the Secretary of the Navy or designee. The ROD will document the Navy’s final decision on the Proposed Action, the rationale behind that decision, and any commitments to mitigation and monitoring. A Notice of Availability of the Record of Decision will be published in the Federal Register, and the ROD will be distributed to agencies and interested parties and posted on the FRTC EIS website (www.frtceis.com). The ROD will also be announced in local newspapers.