Table 6. Summary of Information on Key NEPA References

Reference Content of Reference Applicability to Decision-Makers on Beach Nourishment Projects
US Army Corps of Engineers. 2000. Planning Guidance Notebook. Engineer regulation 1105-2-100. Department of the Army, US Army Corps of Engineers, Washington D.C. 2031401000. April 22, 2000.
  • Regulation that provides the "overall direction by which the Corps of Engineers Civil Works projects are formulated, evaluated, and selected for implementation."
  • Contains a description of the six-step USACE planning process, USACE missions and programs, specific policies applicable to each mission, and analysis requirements.
  • Framework for USACE planning process is based on the Principals and Guidelines (P&G) adopted by the Water Resources Council (WRC). The P&G are known as the Water Resource Council's Economic and Environmental Principles for Water and Related Land Resources Implementation Studies (Principles), and the Economic and Environmental Guidelines for Water and Related Land Resources Implementation Studies (Guidelines).
  • Objective is to balance economic needs and environmental impacts of proposed projects.
  • Emphasis is on using an integrated method and an assessment of a full range of alternatives in developing water resource projects.
  • Written in plain language to help make the complex water resource planning process understandable.
  • Note emphasis on alternatives and a balanced approach for developing projects, as per NEPA.
  • Six-step approach is very similar to NEPA and the USACE recommends that beach nourishment project proponents integrate the two processes (see paper in this series entitled "Effective Integration of Legal and Regulatory Requirements into Beach Nourishment Projects").
  • Appendix C of this regulation contains a complete guide to preparing environmental documents for water resource projects. If this appendix is followed, an integration of NEPA and the USACE ER 1105-2-100 would be achieved, meeting the intent of both NEPA and the Water Resources Planning Act (WRPA).
Council on Environmental Quality. 1978. Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (CEQ) for Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). 40 CFR 1500-1508, November 29, 1978.
  • All federal agencies are required to adhere to the CEQ guidelines when reviewing proposed projects under their agency's authority.
  • The CEQ guidelines state that alternatives are the "heart" of NEPA, and, as a result, the so called "alternatives test" is the first test that must be passed during Section 404 permitting of any water resource project. This test is required under the 404(b)(1) guidelines for reviewing permits, and is applied by all review agencies.
  • If an applicant does not pass the alternatives test, the project will be delayed until suitable alternatives are presented. This test is the one that most applicants fail. Please refer to paper in this series entitled "Assessment of Section 404 Clean Water Act Regulatory Issues" for more information on the 404 process.
US Army Corps of Engineers. 1996. Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Coast of Florida Erosion and Storm Effects Study, Region III, Palm Beach, Broward and Dade Counties, Florida. Prepared for the US Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, by Gulf Engineers and Consultants, Inc. Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
  • "The most comprehensive shore protection study ever undertaken by the state of Florida and the Jacksonville District." This is a Final EIS on the coastal erosion control program for the Palm Beach, Broward and Dade Counties, Florida.
  • Contains very useful information on the NEPA process, including alternatives development, baseline conditions assessment, impact assessment and mitigation measures.
US Army Corps of Engineers. 1992. Water Resources Policies and Authoritiesm HAZARDOUS, Toxic And Radioactive Waste (HTRW), Guidance For Civil Works Projects. Engineering Regulation 1165-2-132. June 26, 1992.
  • Regulations for management of hazardous, toxic and radioactive wastes on USACE projects.
  • Hazardous, toxic and radioactive wastes need to be fully addressed in a NEPA document. This requires conducting a literature review, contacting agencies, and, possibly, preliminary field investigations.
USACE. no date. "Evaluation of Environmental Investments Research Program." US Army Institute of Water Resources (IWR). Web page: http://www.wrsc.usace.army.mil/IWR/.
  • Contains descriptions of the numerous publications of the EEIRP at the IWR.
  • The reports summarized in this document would be highly useful in the effective completion of NEPA documentation and planning of a beach nourishment project. This extensive program has been designed to assist decision-makers in planning and implementation of water resource projects.

Please refer to paper in this series entitled "History and Evolution of Laws Relating to Beach Nourishment" for information on other specific laws and regulations not mentioned in this table.