Opinion ID: 166922
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Failure to issue an EIS

Text: 48 NEPA requires the preparation of an EIS, rather than the less detailed EA, for major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. 42 U.S.C. § 4332(2)(C); see Greater Yellowstone Coal., 359 F.3d at 1274. The agencies in this case determined that an EIS was not necessary after preparing an EA, and instead issued a FONSI. `An agency's decision to issue a FONSI and not prepare an EIS is a factual determination which implicates agency expertise.' Id. (quoting Utah Shared Access Alliance v. U.S. Forest Serv., 288 F.3d 1205, 1213 (10th Cir.2002)) (further quotation omitted). Plaintiffs, however, failed to raise this issue in the administrative proceedings. They have accordingly waived it. See Pub. Citizen, 541 U.S. at 764-65, 124 S.Ct. 2204; N.M. Envtl. Improvement Div., 789 F.2d at 835; Wilson, 758 F.2d at 1372.