WS offi cials are fully committed to making well-informed and environmentally 

responsible decisions that excel at meeting the National Environmental Policy 

Act of 1969 (NEPA). The Act provides a national policy for protecting the 

environment by establishing an informed decisionmaking process for Federal 

activities that have potential impact on the environment.

Under NEPA, Federal agencies must look closely at the possible environmental 

effects of their proposed actions before making decisions and offer opportunities 

for public comment and input during that process. In planning and conducting 

program activities, WS closely follows NEPA and views the public’s participation 

as an integral part of its environmental decisionmaking.

Three Paths for Decisionmaking

For WS, the NEPA review process begins when a wildlife management issue 

and need for action fi rst arise, either through ongoing WS work or an outside 

request for assistance. In determining how best to respond, WS offi cials analyze 

potential proposed actions and establish whether they may have signifi cant 

environmental effects. Under the APHIS NEPA implementing regulations1, 

WS offi cials may use one of three paths to assist in decisionmaking. They may 

develop and issue: a categorical exclusion (CE), an environmental assessment 

(EA), or an environmental impact statement (EIS). Regardless of the selected 

path, WS completes this process in close consultation and coordination with 

other Federal, State, and local agencies and Tribal governments.

A categorical exclusion (CE) is a determination that a category of actions does 

not have the potential to signifi cantly affect the environment and, therefore, 

neither an EA nor an EIS needs to be prepared. CEs allow for immediate action 

to be taken, but the situations under which they may be used are limited. 

APHIS’ NEPA implementing regulations identify the criteria for actions that may 

be categorically excluded.

An environmental assessment (EA) is a concise public document that provides 

suffi cient evidence and analysis for determining whether a proposed Federal 

action will have a signifi cant impact on the environment. An EA must include

information detailing: the need for the proposed action; alternatives to the 

proposed action, including a “no-action” alternative; the potential environmental 

effects of the proposed action and its alternatives; and a list of agencies and

1

CEQ NEPA Regulations (40 CFR 1500–1508) and USDA APHIS NEPA implementing procedures 

(40 CFR 372) provide guidance for determining signifi cance and the appropriate level of NEPA compliance. 

Federal Register; March 21, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 54, pp. 13,237–13,238).

Protecting People

Protecting Agriculture

Protecting Wildlife

Wildlife Services Factsheet

April 2014

The National Environmental 

Policy Act

Wildlife Services (WS), 

a program of the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture’s 

(USDA) Animal and Plant 

Health Inspection Service 

(APHIS), provides Federal 

leadership and expertise in 

managing confl icts between 

people and wildlife to 

help protect the Nation’s 

agricultural and natural 

resources, property and 

infrastructure, and public 

health and safety. 
individuals consulted. An EA requires advanced 

planning, takes months to complete, and involves 

the public in the decisionmaking process.

If the agency fi nds no signifi cant impacts are likely to 

occur from the preferred action during the assessment 

process, WS offi cials prepare a decision document 

called a “fi nding of no signifi cant impact” (FONSI). 

A FONSI document explains the agency’s reasons for 

this conclusion.

An environmental impact statement (EIS) is a more 

detailed public document that is prepared if (1) a 

proposal’s effects on the quality of the environment 

are expected to be significant; (2) an EA indicates that 

one is warranted; or (3) the proposed action is one that 

requires an EIS due to agency regulations. It describes 

the potential environmental effects of the proposed 

action, explains what steps may be taken to minimize 

any negative impacts, and offers at least two alternative 

actions. Developing an EIS is a formalized process 

that requires advanced planning, substantial public 

participation, and U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency review. The process may take 1 or more years 

to complete.

After publishing a fi nal EIS, WS offi cials may 

proceed with a decision document called a “record 

of decision” (ROD), which identifi es the program’s 

selected environmentally preferred alternative. It also 

details related program commitments, such as specifi c 

enforcement and monitoring activities. After 

publishing a ROD, WS offi cials may proceed with 

the selected action.

Public Notifi cation and Involvement

WS NEPA notices and documents can be found at 

www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlifedamage/nepa. Notices 

may also be published in the Federal Register and 

in local newspapers. WS often uses additional 

outreach methods, including direct mailing and 

electronic notices through the APHIS Registry, to 

maximize public participation opportunities.

Additional Information

WS’ Environmental Compliance staff helps facilitate 

the program’s NEPA processes and serves as a 

resource for questions on the Act and related issues. 

For more information, visit APHIS’ Web site at 

www.aphis.usda.gov. You can also reach WS by 

phone at (301) 851-4009 or via postal mail at: 

WS/APHIS/USDA, 4700 River Road, Unit 87, 

Riverdale, MD 20737. 

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has 

published A Citizen’s Guide to the NEPA: Having Your 

Voice Heard. To view a copy, go to www.slideshare.net/

whitehouse/citizens-guide-to-nepa. For more 

information about CEQ, see www.whitehouse. gov/

administration/eop/ceq.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, 

sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for 

communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). 

To fi le a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Offi ce of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue,

SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 

United States Department of Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service