Environmental Assessment (EA) Overview Page

Why do we care about EAs?

These webpages are written for applicants seeking approval of plans and specifications for drinking water projects.  These webpages also include information of special interest to applicants seeking state financial assistance for drinking water projects.

The State Environmental Policy Act [SEPA, G.S. 113A] requires the state or local government to perform an environmental review before spending public money (including local funds) for "major projects."  SEPA is implemented in regulations [15A NCAC 1C] promulgated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) that incorporate the Department of Administration's processing rules [1 NCAC 25] by reference.

Many small projects are excluded from the definition of "major project."  These small projects (including most funded projects) are eligible for categorical exclusion (CE).  The remaining projects perform an environmental assessment (EA) and go through the environmental review process to obtain a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) before being eligible for funding or even for plans and specifications approval.  If the project has a significant environmental impact and cannot obtain a FONSI, the owner may chose to prepare a more extensive environmental document called an environmental impact statement (EIS).

This is a big webpage.  Isn't there something simpler than an EA?

Yes.  The CE represents the lowest level of environmental review that a project can be subject to.  To find out if you are eligible for CE, go to the CE-overview page.  If you are eligible for CE, you do not need to perform an EA.  Instead, you can fill out the CE request form.

What is an EA?

The environmental assessment represents the middle level of environmental review.  It is more intensive than a CE, but less intensive than an environmental impact statement (EIS).  The EA is a report by a qualified professional determining the likely environmental impact of the proposed project (and selected alternatives) on natural and human resources including air and water quality, soils, agricultural land, and areas with archaeological or historical value.

What projects require an EA?

Any project that is not exempt from the requirement to perform an environmental review (i.e., any project not eligible for categorical exclusion) must prepare an environmental assessment (EA) and receive a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) before receiving plans and specifications approval, and before being eligible for financing.

Note that federally funded projects (e.g., Drinking Water State Revolving Fund - DWSRF loans) can be eligible for categorical exclusion, with certain important restrictions:

  1. If the project involves more than five miles (26,400 linear feet) of new lines, even if constructed in existing right-of-way, USEPA does not recognize it as eligible for federally recognized CE.  If your project includes more than five miles of new water lines, you must submit an environmental assessment to be considered for the DWSRF program.
  2. Dam projects are ineligible for federally recognized CE.
Because of these restrictions, a project may be eligible for a CE under SEPA, but required to perform an EA to receive federal funding.

How do I prepare an EA?

The State Clearinghouse (a part of the North Carolina Department of Administration) publishes Environmental Assessment Guidelines, March 1999 Edition, which include instructions on how to prepare a SEPA-compliant EA.  Please note that your DRAFT EA must also include the four favorable comment letters as outlined in the factsheet described below.

How do I submit an EA?

For more information on how to submit your EA, please see the factsheet for submitting an EA.  Summarizing this factsheet, submit sixteen (16) copies of a DRAFT Environmental Assessment (EA), to the address below:

Vincent Tomaino, Environmental Engineer
Public Water Supply Section
Regular mail address:
1634 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1634		 Package Delivery / Physical Address
2728 Capital Boulevard
Raleigh, North Carolina 27604

The DRAFT EA must be prepared according to the guidelines (referenced above), and include the four favorable comment letters as outlined in the factsheet.

What happens next to my EA?

  1. The applicant submits 16 copies of the DRAFT Environmental Assessment to the Public Water Supply Section, Division of Environmental Health (PWS), at the address above.
  2. Internal and Federal Review - PWS arranges the distribution of the EA to other DENR agencies, to NC Department of Cultural Resources, and to federal reviewing agencies.
  3. These "internal" reviewers provide comments on the EA.
  4. Internal Comments Addressed - PWS collects all comments and forwards them to the applicant.
    1. The applicant responds to the comments, to the satisfaction of PWS (PWS may consult with original commenter).
    2. The applicant revises the EA, as necessary, to accommodate the comments.
  5. The applicant publicizes the project and holds a meeting (the applicant may hold this hearing at any time before the FONSI).
  6. PWS writes a FONSI.
  7. The applicant forwards 12 copies of the revised EA.
  8. Clearinghouse Review - PWS forwards the EA and FONSI to the State Clearinghouse, which is part of the Department of Administration.
  9. The State Clearinghouse distributes the EA and FONSI for review by state agencies outside of DENR.
  10. These "external" reviewers provide comments on the EA.
  11. External Comments Addressed - the State Clearinghouse collects any comments, and PWS forwards comments to the applicant.
    1. The applicant responds to the comments, to the satisfaction of PWS and the State Clearinghouse (PWS may consult with the original commenter).
    2. If necessary, the applicant revises the EA and PWS revises the FONSI.
  12. PWS has the State Clearinghouse publicize the FONSI in the North Carolina Environmental Bulletin, on the web, and to a mailing list.
  13. After publication, the State Clearinghouse will issue a letter completing the environmental review process.
Important note for applicants seeking funding under 15A NCAC 1J and 1L:  The project must complete the State Clearinghouse review process and receive the FONSI and letter concluding the environmental review process before receiving plans and specifications approval.   If the project does not receive plans and specifications approval within the four-month window, the project will lose funding. [15A NCAC 1J .003(c) & 1L .0303(e)]

You can find additional information concerning performing the EA at the State Clearinghouse web site, which is in the Department of Administration (DOA) web site.
 
 

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