[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: 32CFR651.9]

[Page 393]
 
                       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 B--National Environmental Policy Act and the Decision Process
 
Sec. 651.9  Introduction.


    (a) The NEPA process is the systematic examination of possible and 
probable environmental consequences of implementing a proposed action. 
Integration of the NEPA process with other Army projects and program 
planning must occur at the earliest possible time to ensure that:
    (1) Planning and decision-making reflect Army environmental values, 
such as compliance with environmental policy, laws, and regulations; and 
that these values are evident in Army decisions. In addition, Army 
decisions must reflect consideration of other requirements such as 
Executive Orders and other non-statutory requirements, examples of which 
are enumerated in Sec. 651.14(e).
    (2) Army and DOD environmental policies and directives are 
implemented.
    (3) Delays and potential conflicts in the process are minimized. The 
public should be involved as early as possible to avoid potential 
delays.
    (b) All Army decision-making that may impact the human environment 
will use a systematic, interdisciplinary approach that ensures the 
integrated use of the natural and social sciences, planning, and the 
environmental design arts (section 102(2)(a), Public Law 91-190, 83 
Stat. 852, National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)). This 
approach allows timely identification of environmental effects and 
values in sufficient detail for concurrent evaluation with economic, 
technical, and mission-related analyses, early in the decision process.
    (c) The proponent of an action or project must identify and describe 
the range of reasonable alternatives to accomplish the purpose and need 
for the proposed action or project, taking a ``hard look'' at the 
magnitude of potential impacts of implementing the reasonable 
alternatives, and evaluating their significance. To assist in 
identifying reasonable alternatives, the proponent should consult with 
the installation environmental office and appropriate federal, tribal, 
state, and local agencies, and the general public.