Background When federal environmental assessments are performed early in the planning phase of an agency, they can aid in ascertaining that environmental issues, as well as social and economic issues, are incorporated into decision-making. According to Gibbons, since environmental risks are also hazardous to the financial capability and social suitability of the agency, environmental assessments, whether mandated by law or not, are now regarded as excellent business practices (3). At Hawthorne Amy Depot, the Defense Logistics Agency Strategic Materials (DLA) is charged with the responsibility of ensuring “secure, safe, and environmentally friendly management especially in a stockpile of mercury” (DLA iii). According to DLA, the consolidation of stockpiles of mercury at Hawthorne Army Deport resulted from a decision of the Defense Logistics Agency. This stockpile contains about 4,890 tons of mercury. This mercury is put in drums that are placed on drip pans, which are later placed on pallets. The mercury is then put into flasks that are then stored in drums that carry the flask. Surprisingly, the current packaging of mercury at Hawthorne Amy Depot has lasted for years now with no one with an idea of any leakages and or wearing and tearing of the drums. Therefore, environmental assessments are necessary to carry out in agencies in which the federal government is concerned under precise circumstances illustrated in the act. If any of these legislative requirements are absent, there is no power to carry out an environmental assessment even in what may otherwise be considered as undeniable circumstances. As the paper reveals, there is a need for an environmental assessment concerning mercury storage at Hawthorne Amy Depot. The paper presents the assessment together with its underlying triggers. Following the evident consequences of such triggers in Hawthorne Amy Depot, the paper suggests the possible purposed actions required to minimize the emissions besides presenting appropriate alternative measures that should be adopted by the environmental protection agency to ensure that the emissions are managed. However, it will give the scope of the problem of mercury storage and packaging in Hawthorne Amy Depot. Scope of the Problem Mercury emission is one area that has raised concern not only at Hawthorne Amy Depot but also among people in general. The environmental and social impacts relating to these emissions are the main reasons for the relentless efforts to eradicate further emissions (Heinzerling and Steinzor 2). Mercury is one of the heaviest and most toxic metals that have adverse effects on the environment. The reason for its extraordinary toxicity is that it breaks easily into harmful substances that are detrimental to the health of living organisms, man included. The most toxic form of mercury is denoted as MeHg whose effect is evident when it mixes with microorganisms in water and soil. Environmental Assessment The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is one of the key agencies that are involved in controlling mercury emissions and or any hazard associated with mercury at Hawthorne Amy Depot. The current packaging of mercury at this depot is raising questions based on the length of time it has lasted without assessing the status of the packaging drums. There is a n