Environmental Assessment Tools and Templates

Environmental Assessments (EAs) and associated documents are generated to fulfill the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). EAs are used to determine if significant environmental impacts would occur as a result of a FEMA action or a FEMA funded action.

An EA is a concise public document that serves to provide:

• Sufficient evidence and analysis regarding the significance of environmental impacts of the proposed action
• Alternatives to that proposal to aid in decision-making when there is an unresolved conflict in the use of resources.

An EA must address and document those areas where there is a potential to significantly affect the environment and provide the public an opportunity for involvement and input in the decision process in accordance with the law. The EA concludes with a one of two decision documents, either a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) or the Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is a detailed analysis and evaluation of all of the impacts of the proposed project and all reasonable alternatives. This document usually provides more detailed and rigorous analysis than an EA and provides for formal public involvement. An EIS is concluded with a decision document, the Record of Decision (ROD), that provides for an explanation of the reasons for selecting a particular action and environmental mitigation associated with that action.

Get Support

We have resources to help you complete an environmental assessment.

View Existing EAs and Public Notices

Organized by region, browse libraries of documents related to environmental assessments and public notices issued by FEMA.