100 Environmental Impact Analysis
between economic development and the missions of individual federal agen-
cies. Sometimes posing questions regarding what NEPA requires and does
not require is useful in understanding this simple concept and the intent of
the Act and implementing regulations. Under NEPA:
• What is mandated for all federal agencies?
• Take a “hard look” at the impacts of their proposed action and
acknowledge the impacts when making decisions.
• Consider alternatives to the proposed action that might have
fewer or different environmental impacts.
• Evaluate mitigation of all impacts.
• Employ technically defensible and multidiscipline environmen-
tal impact analysis methods and avoid arbitrary and capricious
decisions. ...