Why the Wind Energy Development Programmatic EIS Is Needed
The Wind Energy Development Programmatic EIS is required to maintain compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, which specifies when EIS's must be prepared.
National Environmental Policy Act
Federal laws and regulations require the federal government to evaluate the effects of its actions on the environment and to consider alternative courses of action. The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) specifies when an environmental impact statement (EIS) must be prepared. NEPA requires that an EIS be prepared for major federal actions with potential for significant impact on the quality of the human environment. The BLM has determined that amending land use plans and the establishment of a Wind Energy Development Program would be major federal actions as defined by the NEPA, and, thus, the BLM has prepared an EIS.
Why a Programmatic EIS Is Needed
A Programmatic EIS evaluates the environmental impacts of broad agency actions, such as the setting of national policies or the development of programs. Because BLM's efforts to evaluate additional wind energy development on public lands include the amendment of BLM land use plans and establishment of a Wind Energy Development Program, a Programmatic EIS is appropriate.