Environmental Analysis & Documentation

Planning a project requires a thorough understanding of a project's purpose and need, the goals of the project's sponsor, and the natural, cultural, and socioeconomic context within which the project will be accomplished. Integrating these environmental "values" into the planning process allows for consideration of the potential impacts of a proposed action and any reasonable and prudent alternatives that would reduce or minimize such impacts to the extent possible. It also affords the opportunity for public involvement in the decision making process. For Federal actions, the planning process is governed by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); many states also employ a corollary process similar to NEPA for respective state actions (i.e., the Maryland Environmental Policy Act, the California Environmental Quality Act, etc.).

JMT is experienced in developing and managing small and large-scale NEPA and state documents, and has completed several of the following for local, state, and federal clients:

Categorical Exclusions (CEs)
Environmental Assessments (EAs)
Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)
Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSIs)
Records of Decision (RODs)
Section 4(f) Evaluations
Natural Environmental Technical Reports (NETRs)
Alternatives Analysis
Community Outreach & Public Involvement programs

Our Planners work in conjunction with our Natural Resource professionals to complete the necessary studies to analyze the affected environment and environmental consequences for any issue areas pertaining to the proposed project, including:

Traffic and Transportation
Socioeconomic & Environmental Justice
Air Quality
Noise
Energy
Natural Resources (floodplains, wildlife and habitat, rare/threatened/endangered species, waters of the U.S., water quality, geology and soils)
Cultural/Historic Resources
Hazardous Materials
Aesthetics/Visual Quality
Construction-related Impacts
Secondary and Cumulative Effects/Indirect and Cumulative Effects