[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 32, Volume 4]
[Revised as of July 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 32CFR651.39]

[Page 414]
 
                       TITLE 32--NATIONAL DEFENSE
 
              CHAPTER V--DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 651--ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS OF ARMY ACTIONS (AR 200-2)--Table of Contents
 
                   Subpart E--Environmental Assessment
 
Sec. 651.39  Significance.

    (a) If the proposed action may or will result in significant impacts 
to the environment, an EIS is prepared to provide more comprehensive 
analyses and conclusions about the impacts. Significant impacts of 
socioeconomic consequence alone do not merit an EIS.
    (b) Significance of impacts is determined by examining both the 
context and intensity of the proposed action (40 CFR 1508.27). The 
analysis should establish, by resource category, the threshold at which 
significance is reached. For example, an action that would violate 
existing pollution standards; cause water, air, noise, soil, or 
underground pollution; impair visibility for substantial periods; or 
cause irreparable harm to animal or plant life could be determined 
significant. Significant beneficial effects also occur and must be 
addressed, if applicable.
    (c) The proponent should use appropriate methods to identify and 
ascertain the ``significance'' of impacts. The use of simple analytical 
tools, which are subject to independent peer review, fully documented, 
and available to the public, is encouraged.\4\ In particular, where 
impacts are unknown or are suspected to be of public interest, public 
involvement should be initiated early in the EA (scoping) process.
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    \4\ EIFS is one such Army system for evaluating regional economic 
impacts under NEPA. This system is mandated, as Army policy, for use in 
NEPA analyses. Other similar tools may be mandated for use in the Army, 
and will be documented in guidance published pursuant to this part.
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