Opinion ID: 2804451
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Requirements of NEPA

Text: NEPA requires an agency to take a “hard look” at the environmental impacts of proposed actions. Robertson v. Methow Valley Citizens Council, 490 U.S. 332, 350 (1989). In taking this “hard look,” the agency must take appropriate steps: If the venture involves a “major Federal action” that would “significantly affect[] the quality of the human environment,” the agency must prepare a detailed environmental impact statement. 42 U.S.C. § 4332(2)(C) (2012). But if the future effects are unclear, the agency can prepare an environmental assessment instead of a more detailed environmental impact statement. Dep’t of Transp. v. Pub. Citizen, 541 U.S. 6 752, 757 (2004). If the environmental assessment shows that the impact would be insignificant, the agency need not provide any further environmental report. 5 Id. at 757-58.