[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 40, Volume 30]
[Revised as of July 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 40CFR1508.27]

[Page 773]
 
                   TITLE 40--PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT
 
               CHAPTER V--COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
 
PART 1508_TERMINOLOGY AND INDEX--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 1508.27  Significantly.

    Significantly as used in NEPA requires considerations of both 
context and intensity:
    (a) Context. This means that the significance of an action must be 
analyzed in several contexts such as society as a whole (human, 
national), the affected region, the affected interests, and the 
locality. Significance varies with the setting of the proposed action. 
For instance, in the case of a site-specific action, significance would 
usually depend upon the effects in the locale rather than in the world 
as a whole. Both short- and long-term effects are relevant.
    (b) Intensity. This refers to the severity of impact. Responsible 
officials must bear in mind that more than one agency may make decisions 
about partial aspects of a major action. The following should be 
considered in evaluating intensity:
    (1) Impacts that may be both beneficial and adverse. A significant 
effect may exist even if the Federal agency believes that on balance the 
effect will be beneficial.
    (2) The degree to which the proposed action affects public health or 
safety.
    (3) Unique characteristics of the geographic area such as proximity 
to historic or cultural resources, park lands, prime farmlands, 
wetlands, wild and scenic rivers, or ecologically critical areas.
    (4) The degree to which the effects on the quality of the human 
environment are likely to be highly controversial.
    (5) The degree to which the possible effects on the human 
environment are highly uncertain or involve unique or unknown risks.
    (6) The degree to which the action may establish a precedent for 
future actions with significant effects or represents a decision in 
principle about a future consideration.
    (7) Whether the action is related to other actions with individually 
insignificant but cumulatively significant impacts. Significance exists 
if it is reasonable to anticipate a cumulatively significant impact on 
the environment. Significance cannot be avoided by terming an action 
temporary or by breaking it down into small component parts.
    (8) The degree to which the action may adversely affect districts, 
sites, highways, structures, or objects listed in or eligible for 
listing in the National Register of Historic Places or may cause loss or 
destruction of significant scientific, cultural, or historical 
resources.
    (9) The degree to which the action may adversely affect an 
endangered or threatened species or its habitat that has been determined 
to be critical under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
    (10) Whether the action threatens a violation of Federal, State, or 
local law or requirements imposed for the protection of the environment.

[43 FR 56003, Nov. 29, 1978; 44 FR 874, Jan. 3, 1979]