Opinion ID: 3047681
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Social and Cultural Impacts

Text: The Hopi Appellants argue that the FEIS inadequately analyzes the social and cultural impacts of the proposed action on the Hopi people. NEPA requires agencies to “utilize a systematic, interdisciplinary approach which will insure the integrated use of the natural and social sciences and the environmental design arts in planning and in decisionmaking which may have an impact on man’s environment.” 42 U.S.C. § 4332(2)(A). Agencies must “identify and develop methods and procedures . . . which will insure that presently unquantified environmental amenities and values may be given appropriate consideration in decisionmaking along with economic and technical considerations.” Id. § 4332(2)(B). Finally, agencies must prepare an EIS for “major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.” Id. § 4332(2)(C). The regulations define “human environment” broadly to “include the natural and physical environment and the relationship of people with that environment,” and note that “[w]hen an [EIS] is prepared and economic or social and natural or physical environmental effects are interrelated, then the [EIS] will discuss all of these effects on the human envi2896 NAVAJO NATION v. USFS ronment.” 40 C.F.R. § 1508.14. The “effects” that should be discussed include “aesthetic, historic, cultural, economic, social, or health” effects, “whether direct, indirect, or cumulative.” Id. § 1508.8. [26] The FEIS addresses the “human environment” through lengthy discussions of the relationship of the Hopi and others to the San Francisco Peaks and the impact of the proposed action on those relationships. The FEIS acknowledges that “it is difficult to be precise in the analysis of the impact of the proposed undertaking on the cultural and religious systems on the Peaks, as much of the information stems from oral histories and a deep, underlying belief system of the indigenous peoples involved.” Nevertheless, the FEIS makes clear that the Forest Service conducted an extensive analysis of the issue, drawing from existing literature and extensive consultation with the affected tribes. The FEIS describes at length the religious beliefs and practices of the Hopi and the Navajo and the “irretrievable impact” the proposal would likely have on those beliefs and practices. The Forest Service has thus satisfied its obligations under NEPA to discuss the effects of the proposed action on the human environment.