Opinion ID: 165014
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Adequacy of the Final EIS

Text: 20 In reviewing the adequacy of an EIS, we examine whether the EIS's form, content and preparation foster both informed decision-making and informed public participation. Colo. Envtl. Coalition v. Dombeck, 185 F.3d 1162, 1172 (10th Cir.1999) (quotation omitted). 21 FMP claims that the final EIS issued by the Agency is inadequate because it does not explain why the Agency ultimately chose to approve both the phased and non-phased options. Doing so, FMP asserts, deprived the public of the opportunity to comment on the proposal before the final decision was made. The public, however, had a full and fair opportunity to comment on the phased approach when that approach was considered in the draft supplemental EIS. The final EIS makes clear that the public did submit extensive comments. As has often been noted, NEPA does not guarantee a particular result. Stryker's Bay Neighborhood Council, Inc., v. Karlen, 444 U.S. 223, 227, 100 S.Ct. 497, 62 L.Ed.2d 433 (1987). Thus, the Agency was not required to select the preferred option indicated in the final EIS, and it did not cut off the public's right to comment by approving an option previously rejected. 22 Nonetheless, FMP is correct that NEPA requires the Agency to articulate a rational connection between the facts found and the choice made. Baltimore Gas & Elec. Co. v. Natural Res. Def. Council, Inc., 462 U.S. 87, 105, 103 S.Ct. 2246, 76 L.Ed.2d 437 (1983). In this case, it is the ROD which provides that rational connection. The ROD states that the phased option will be implemented if local support or financing for the non-phased option is lacking. Thus, it is clear that the USDOT approved the phased option because of concerns raised by local officials about the availability of funding and support for the non-phased option. That reason provides a rational explanation for the Agency's decision to approve the phased option. While the final EIS itself does not contain that rationale, we cannot conclude that it is therefore inadequate. Forcing the Agency to continually re-draft the final EIS simply to duplicate an explanation that is provided in the ROD would render agency decision-making intractable, always awaiting updated information. . . . Marsh v. Or. Natural Res. Council, 490 U.S. 360, 374, 109 S.Ct. 1851, 104 L.Ed.2d 377 (1989). The final EIS explains the alternatives studied by the USDOT and addresses the environmental impacts of the project at length. Because the ROD supplies a rational connection between the facts and the Agency's decision and because the various environmental impact statements drafted by the Agency, including the final EIS, indicate that the Agency took the required hard look at the environmental impact of its decision, we conclude that the final EIS is adequate.