This study was designed to inform the third party Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) required for the Quitchupah Creek Road, UTU-57907, Fishlake National Forest and Bureau of Land Management, Richfield District, Sevier and Emery Counties, Utah. The road proposal involved upgrading a jeep trail located in Quitchupah Canyon. Modifications of this four-wheel drive dirt road would involve extensive environmental engineering, bridges culverts for side canyon intermittent streams and paving of approximately 9.2 miles. A team of ethnographers from the University of Arizona interviewed members of the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah (PITU) to understand cultural meaning, traditional use, and potential impacts to Native American resources in the study area.

A presente pesquisa foi conduzida a partir de consultas ao acervo de Estudos de Impacto Ambiental (EIAs) aprovados pela Fundação do Meio Ambiente de Minas Gerais, no período compreendido entre 1986 e 1999. O objetivo da pesquisa foi proceder a uma avaliação da concordância dos estudos sobre o meio biótico contidos nos EIAs consultados com a legislação que fornece as diretrizes básicas para estudos sobre o meio em questão. No desenvolvimento da pesquisa foram avaliados os estudos sobre a flora e a fauna silvestres não aquáticas, contidos em uma amostra representativa de 111 EIAS pertencentes a 5 setores e 25 tipos de atividades. Os estudos sobre a flora, bem como os estudos sobre a fauna, foram avaliados mediante o emprego de 7 variáveis legais subdivididas em 36 itens e 15 variáveis técnicas subdivididas em 67 itens. Ao todo, cada EIA selecionado para a pesquisa foi avaliado mediante a análise de 44 variáveis subdivididas em 206 itens . Os resultados obtidos revelaram que os estudos sobre o meio biótico contido nos Estudos de Impacto Ambiental não atendem satisfatoriamente às exigências legais previstas na regulamentação disciplinadora do tema, tanto em nível estadual como em nível federal. Tampouco atendem às recomendações técnicas básicas preconizadas para a condução de estudos sobre o meio em questão. No aspecto que se refere à concordância com a legislação, as principais falhas foram observadas nas variáveis legais relacionadas ao diagnóstico ambiental da área de influência do empreendimento impactante, à proposição de medidas mitigadoras dos impactos negativos e à proposição de programas de monitoramento dos impactos. Com relação ao atendimento das recomendações técnicas, foram identificadas falhas consistentes nas variáveis técnicas relacionadas à amplitude de duração dos estudos; à observação da sazonalidade, esforço amostral e replicação da amostragem durante a condução dos estudos; à comparação com estudos anteriores realizados em nível regional ou estadual: à realização de análises embasadas na vulnerabilidade das espécies; à realização de análise embasadas na aplicação de índices ecológicos; ao emprego de análises multivariadas, de padrões de distribuição e de espécie-abundância na condução dos estudos; e ao número de especialistas presentes na equipe executora dos estudos. Esses resultados indicam que os estudos sobre o meio biótico conduzidos nos EIAs apresentam qualidade duvidosa no aspecto que se refere ao rigor legal e técnico e impõem a necessidade de que tais estudos sejam revisados com mais critério pelo órgão ambiental e que sejam criados protocolos com maior fundamento técnico-científico para sua execução. / The present research work was carried out from consultations to the material of Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) approved by the Fundação Estadual do Meio Ambiente de Minas Gerais (State Foundation of Environment of Minas Gerais) over the period encompassed between 1986 and 1999. The objective of the research work was to proceed an evaluation of the agreement of the studies about the biotic mean contained in the EIS consulted with the legislation which furnishes the basic guidelines for it execution and with the technical-scientific guidelines for the study of the mean in issue. In the development of the research work were evaluated the studies of the non-aquatic wild flora and fauna,contained in a sample representative of 111 ElAs belonging to 5 sectors and 25 sorts of activities. The studies about the flora were evaluated by means of the use of 7 legal variables subdivided into 36 items and 15 technical variables subdivided into 67 items. In the same way, the studies on fauna were evaluated through the use of 7 legal variables subdivided into 36 items and 15 technical variables subdivided into 67 items. In whole, each EIS selected for the research work was assessed by means of the analysis of 44 variables subdivided into 206 items. The results obtained revealed that the studies upon the biotic mean contained in the Environment Impact Statement do not meet satisfactorily the legal demands foreseen in the disciplining regulation of the subject, both at the state and federal leveI. Neither, they meet the basic technical-scientific recommendations commended for the accomplishment of studies on the mean in issue. As far as the agreement is concerned with the legislation, the early failures were found in the legal variables concerned with the environmental diagnostic of the influence area of the impacting enterprise; with the proposition of mitigation measures and with the proposition of monitoring programs of the impacts. As regards the meeting of the technical-scientific recommendations, were identified consistent failures in the technical variables related with the range of the length of the studies; the observation of seasonality, samplal effort and replication of the sampling over the execution of the studies; the content of the listings of species presented in the studies; the comparison with previous studies performed at the regional or state level; the accomplishment of analyses based on the species vulnerability; the undertaking of analyses based on the application of ecological indices; the use of multivariate analyses, distribution patterns and of species-abundance in the accomplishment of the studies and the number of experts present in the team performing the studies. Those results point out, that the studies on the biotic mean conducted in the EIS present doubtful quality in the aspects concerned as far as the legal and technical-scientific rigor are concerned, and imposes the need that such studies be reviewed with more criterion by the environmental organ and be presented protocols with greater technical-scientific fundamentals for their accomplishment.

A presente pesquisa foi conduzida a partir de consultas ao acervo de Estudos de Impacto Ambiental (EIAs) aprovados pela Fundação do Meio Ambiente de Minas Gerais, no período compreendido entre 1986 e 1999. O objetivo da pesquisa foi proceder a uma avaliação da concordância dos estudos sobre o meio biótico contidos nos EIAs consultados com a legislação que fornece as diretrizes básicas para estudos sobre o meio em questão. No desenvolvimento da pesquisa foram avaliados os estudos sobre a flora e a fauna silvestres não aquáticas, contidos em uma amostra representativa de 111 EIAS pertencentes a 5 setores e 25 tipos de atividades. Os estudos sobre a flora, bem como os estudos sobre a fauna, foram avaliados mediante o emprego de 7 variáveis legais subdivididas em 36 itens e 15 variáveis técnicas subdivididas em 67 itens. Ao todo, cada EIA selecionado para a pesquisa foi avaliado mediante a análise de 44 variáveis subdivididas em 206 itens . Os resultados obtidos revelaram que os estudos sobre o meio biótico contido nos Estudos de Impacto Ambiental não atendem satisfatoriamente às exigências legais previstas na regulamentação disciplinadora do tema, tanto em nível estadual como em nível federal. Tampouco atendem às recomendações técnicas básicas preconizadas para a condução de estudos sobre o meio em questão. No aspecto que se refere à concordância com a legislação, as principais falhas foram observadas nas variáveis legais relacionadas ao diagnóstico ambiental da área de influência do empreendimento impactante, à proposição de medidas mitigadoras dos impactos negativos e à proposição de programas de monitoramento dos impactos. Com relação ao atendimento das recomendações técnicas, foram identificadas falhas consistentes nas variáveis técnicas relacionadas à amplitude de duração dos estudos; à observação da sazonalidade, esforço amostral e replicação da amostragem durante a condução dos estudos; à comparação com estudos anteriores realizados em nível regional ou estadual: à realização de análises embasadas na vulnerabilidade das espécies; à realização de análise embasadas na aplicação de índices ecológicos; ao emprego de análises multivariadas, de padrões de distribuição e de espécie-abundância na condução dos estudos; e ao número de especialistas presentes na equipe executora dos estudos. Esses resultados indicam que os estudos sobre o meio biótico conduzidos nos EIAs apresentam qualidade duvidosa no aspecto que se refere ao rigor legal e técnico e impõem a necessidade de que tais estudos sejam revisados com mais critério pelo órgão ambiental e que sejam criados protocolos com maior fundamento técnico-científico para sua execução. / The present research work was carried out from consultations to the material of Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) approved by the Fundação Estadual do Meio Ambiente de Minas Gerais (State Foundation of Environment of Minas Gerais) over the period encompassed between 1986 and 1999. The objective of the research work was to proceed an evaluation of the agreement of the studies about the biotic mean contained in the EIS consulted with the legislation which furnishes the basic guidelines for it execution and with the technical-scientific guidelines for the study of the mean in issue. In the development of the research work were evaluated the studies of the non-aquatic wild flora and fauna,contained in a sample representative of 111 ElAs belonging to 5 sectors and 25 sorts of activities. The studies about the flora were evaluated by means of the use of 7 legal variables subdivided into 36 items and 15 technical variables subdivided into 67 items. In the same way, the studies on fauna were evaluated through the use of 7 legal variables subdivided into 36 items and 15 technical variables subdivided into 67 items. In whole, each EIS selected for the research work was assessed by means of the analysis of 44 variables subdivided into 206 items. The results obtained revealed that the studies upon the biotic mean contained in the Environment Impact Statement do not meet satisfactorily the legal demands foreseen in the disciplining regulation of the subject, both at the state and federal leveI. Neither, they meet the basic technical-scientific recommendations commended for the accomplishment of studies on the mean in issue. As far as the agreement is concerned with the legislation, the early failures were found in the legal variables concerned with the environmental diagnostic of the influence area of the impacting enterprise; with the proposition of mitigation measures and with the proposition of monitoring programs of the impacts. As regards the meeting of the technical-scientific recommendations, were identified consistent failures in the technical variables related with the range of the length of the studies; the observation of seasonality, samplal effort and replication of the sampling over the execution of the studies; the content of the listings of species presented in the studies; the comparison with previous studies performed at the regional or state level; the accomplishment of analyses based on the species vulnerability; the undertaking of analyses based on the application of ecological indices; the use of multivariate analyses, distribution patterns and of species-abundance in the accomplishment of the studies and the number of experts present in the team performing the studies. Those results point out, that the studies on the biotic mean conducted in the EIS present doubtful quality in the aspects concerned as far as the legal and technical-scientific rigor are concerned, and imposes the need that such studies be reviewed with more criterion by the environmental organ and be presented protocols with greater technical-scientific fundamentals for their accomplishment.

This research develops a plausible interpretation of NEPA's intent based on a thorough review and synthesis of NEPA documents and the literature. From this synthesis, NEPA goals and criteria are developed to evaluate a sample of Forest Service Forest Plans and their corresponding EISs. Next, ecosystem management is defined based on a review and synthesis of the literature. Ecosystem management evaluation goals and criteria are similarly developed to evaluate the Forest Plans and EISs. Based on NEPA and ecosystem management criteria, evaluation questions are formulated for assessing the Forest Plans in order: (1) to evaluate the extent the Forest Service has implemented ecosystem management; (2) to ascertain whether and to what degree Forest Service implementation of ecosystem management has moved its EIS process closer to NEPA's intent; and (3) to assess the extent ecosystem management implementation has influenced agency planning and decisionmaking processes. Throughout, the literature is used extensively to support conclusions reached on the basis of the case findings. Forest Service EISs and Forest Plans used for the case analyses are: 1) The 1986 George Washington National Forest Final EIS and Forest Plan (pre-ecosystem management) and the 1993 George Washington National Forest Final EIS and Revised Forest Plan (post-ecosystem management). 2) The 1985 Francis Marion National Forest Final EIS and Forest Plan (pre-ecosystem management) and the 1996 Francis Marion National Forest Final EIS and Revised Forest Plan (post-ecosystem management). Trends based on the post-ecosystem management evaluations that evidence the agency's implementation of ecosystem management principles include: maintenance of biodiversity of all species; adoption of measures to sustain ecosystem health; acknowledgment of ecosystem patterns and processes; increased integration of scientific research and technology; incorporation of adaptive management; and increased integration of ecological, economic and social considerations. There were several practices, however, in the post-ecosystem management cases that did not support ecosystem management principles: limited incorporation of different geologic or long-term time scales; continued delineation of boundaries along political lines; no integrative, interdisciplinary approach to planning; and no or minimal educational programs. Post-ecosystem management Forest Service practices that support NEPA's intent include: earlier identification of critical impacts; better management of critical impacts; increased integration of ecological information and a broader understanding of sustainability; increased provisions for monitoring and evaluation; better reflection of reviewing agency and public comments and concerns; more influence of environmental data on project decisions; increased consideration of unquantifiable issues; and better integration of ecological, economic and social considerations through a decisionmaking framework. There were several practices, however, in the post-ecosystem management cases that did not support NEPA's intent: EISs had a lower estimation of the magnitude or significance of impacts than the earlier EISs; no evidence supporting a broad, integrative, interdisciplinary approach to planning process; and no evidence of two-way, consensus building stakeholder involvement in the EIS process. Overall, the case analyses provide evidence that the Forest Service's EIS process had, in fact, moved closer to NEPA's intent. This improved output is primarily the result of the agency's incorporation of many of the principles of ecosystem management into its decisionmaking process. Although, NEPA did not figure into the integration of an ecosystem management approach into the Forest Service's decisionmaking process, this research showed that the goals of NEPA and ecosystem management are essentially the same. The agency came to advocate ecosystem management as the outcome of a voluntary decision and an incremental process to improve its overall planning and management process. Implementation of ecosystem management led to a more substantive response to NEPA's intent. Forest Service decisionmaking is a political process that involves balancing competing agency, private industry, and public interests. "Change agents" come from diverse sources-from within the agency's institutional structure (both top-down and bottom-up); from within the federal governmental framework (e.g., other agency policies, Congressional decisions, budgetary constraints); from outside the federal government (state and local governmental agencies, public and private interest groups); and from an uncertain and dynamic political and economic environment. Therefore, forest planning and its associated NEPA analyses must be considered a part of a never-ending and evolving process. Consequently, the Forest Service would do well to take an adaptive approach in its decisionmaking process-an approach compatible with ecosystem management. / Ph. D.

A Avaliação de Impacto Ambiental é um instrumento que auxilia o processo decisório, a elaboração de projetos e propostas de desenvolvimento, e que oferece campo para a integração de valores associados à sustentabilidade e ao desenvolvimento sustentável. Para que a avaliação de impacto ambiental seja efetiva, deve estar embasada na delimitação das questões prioritárias, bem como em respostas adequadas e necessárias aos tomadores de decisão, em um processo conhecido como scoping. A delimitação do escopo de um Estudo de Impacto Ambiental (EIA) tem como principal objetivo definir os estudos considerados adequados para a correta avaliação dos impactos potencialmente significativos relacionados a um projeto, orientado pelo diagnóstico preliminar de suas áreas de influência. Diante da necessidade de avaliar a efetividade dessa etapa dentro do quadro geral da AIA praticada, o objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a etapa de delimitação do escopo de estudos de impacto ambiental de processos de Avaliação de Impacto Ambiental ocorridos no Estado de São Paulo, utilizando-se como marco referencial a promulgação da Resolução SMA 54/2004. A fim de estudar o processo de scoping no estado de São Paulo, nos termos da regulamentação vigente e com base nas melhores práticas preconizadas para este instrumento, foram analisados 34 processos de licenciamento ambiental que tramitaram na Secretaria de Meio Ambiente do Estado de São Paulo (SMA/CETESB), para diferentes tipologias de empreendimento. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que a estrutura preconizada para o scoping no estado, ainda que seja potencialmente diferenciada em relação aos demais estados do país, não tem assegurado a formulação de Termos de Referências concisos e focados nos impactos significativos dos empreendimentos, pouco contribuindo para a efetividade das avaliações de impacto. / The Environmental Impact Assessment is an instrument which helps in the decision making, the elaboration of projects and development of proposals, also offers a way for the integration of values associated with the sustainability and sustainable development. For the environmental impact assessment to be effective, it should be based on delimitation of priority issues, as well as responses appropriate and necessary to the decision makers, in a process known as scoping. The main objective of the EIA scoping is define the studies considered suitable for the correct evaluation of potentially significant impacts related to a project, directed by the preliminary diagnosis of their areas of influence. Considering the need to evaluate the effectiveness of this step within the overall framework of the EIA carried, the aim of this study was to evaluate de scoping phase in environmental impact statement of Environmental Impact Assessment processes occurred in São Paulo State, under the current regulation and based on best practices recommended for this instrument. The study evaluated 34 environmental licensing process which were proceed through the Secretary of Environment of the São Paulo State (Secretaria de Meio Ambiente do Estado de São Paulo - SMA/CETESB), with different development typologies. The results obtained showed that the structure recommended for the scoping in the São Paulo State, although it is potentially different than the other states in Brazil, it hasnt ensured the elaboration of Terms of Reference concise and focused on significant impacts of the projects, with few contribution to the effectiveness of environmental impact assessment.

Contexto - O estudo de alternativas de localização é uma etapa importante do processo de avaliação de impacto ambiental, tratado por muitos como o \"coração\" do processo e através do qual o empreendedor busca responder aos interessados sobre a viabilidade ambiental de seu empreendimento. Porém, apesar da conhecida importância, existem deficiências nos estudos ambientais com relação à consideração e à discussão de alternativas locacionais de atividades, principalmente em relação àquelas potencialmente causadoras de significativos impactos ambientais, como são os aeroportos. Responsáveis por relevantes impactos ambientais nos centros urbanos, os aeroportos geralmente estão envolvidos em conflitos referentes ao uso e ocupação do solo, representando um dos maiores agentes de degradação ambiental e social, necessitando, portanto, de um eficiente estudo locacional que contemple parâmetros sociais, ambientais, além dos técnicos e econômicos. Objetivo - Assim, o objetivo do presente trabalho é avaliar como as alternativas de localização de atividades, com foco em aeroportos, são contempladas nos estudos de impacto ambiental. Metodologia Para se atingir esse objetivo, aplicou-se uma metodologia de base qualitativa, descritiva e exploratória, que apresenta como etapas: revisão bibliográfica, levantamento de critérios utilizados para definição da localização de aeroportos em âmbito nacional e internacional, organização e avaliação dos critérios levantados e, por fim, aplicação desses critérios no caso do aeroporto de Ribeirão Preto, SP. Resultados - Ficou em destaque a necessidade da prévia análise do território, baseada nos possíveis impactos da atividade e nas aptidões e restrições do meio, a fim de se analisar a viabilidade ambiental do empreendimento, evitando-se, desse modo, futuros conflitos de ordem social e ambiental. Especificamente para o caso estudado, os resultados mostram que houve falhas na metodologia de análise das alternativas locacionais utilizadas no EIA, sobretudo em relação à escolha dos critérios e omissão de informações relevantes para a tomada de decisão. Também, o presente trabalho conclui pela existência de sítios aptos e indicados para a localização de aeroportos em Ribeirão Preto, SP e a inviabilidade do sitio apontado pelo EIA como a melhor opção. / Context - The study of alternative localizations is an important step in the process of environmental impact assessment, treated by many as the \"heart\" of the process and through which the entrepreneur seeks to answer to stakeholders the environmental viability of their enterprise. However, although this known importance, there are shortcomings in environmental studies in relation to consideration and discussion of alternative locational activities, establishing a contradiction and a gap in which the present study staff. Objective - The objective of this study is to evaluate how the alternative locations of activities are contemplated in environmental impact statement. Methodology - To achieve this goal was applied a methodology based on qualitative, descriptive and exploratory character, which presents the following steps: a literature review, survey of criteria used to define the location of airports nationally and internationally, organization and evaluation the data collected and, finally, application of these criteria in the case of airport Ribeirão Preto, SP. Results - It was highlighted the need for preliminary analysis of the territory, based on the potential impacts of activities and capabilities and constraints of the environment, in order to analyze the environmental feasibility of the project, avoiding thus future conflicts social and environmental . Specifically for the case study, the results show that there were flaws in the methodology used locational analysis of alternatives in EIA, especially in relation to the choice of criteria and omission of relevant information for decision making. Also, this study indicates the existence of other suitable sites and more pointed than that indicated by EIA as the best option.

No Brasil, os EIAS/RIMAS são o principal instrumento para a análise de viabilidade ambiental dos empreendimentos potencialmente causadores de significativo impacto ambiental, sendo também peça indispensável ao processo licenciamento ambiental. Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo central a abordagem geomorfológica adotada em EIAs de usina hidrelétricas no período entre 1993 a 2014. Foram analisados 13 registros de EIAs elaborados para usinas hidrelétricas cujo licenciamento ocorre em nível federal, analisando informações como escala de abordagem, escola teórica, procedimento metodológico, etc. Todos estes dados foram analisados quali e quantitativamente, sendo que os resultados apresentados permitem verificar o aprimoramento técnico contínuo na abordagem geomorfológica nestes estudos ambientais. Os resultados da pesquisa também proporcionaram a elaboração de recomendações visando à elaboração de futuros estudos de impactos ambientais. / In Brazil, the Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) are the main instrument for environmental feasibility analysis of enterprises, which can cause significant environmental impact, and is also indispensable part of environmental licensing process. This research is based on the geomorphological approach adopted in EIAs (Estudos de Impacto Ambiental, or Environmental Impact Studies, in free translation) applied for hydroelectric power plants, in the period of 1993-2014. We have analyzed 13 EIAs designed to hydroelectric power plant which licensing occurs at the federal level, analyzing information such as scale approach , theoretical school, content, assignment of technical staff , etc. All these data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively, and the results allow verify the continuous technical improvement in the geomorphological approach of these environmental studies. The results have also provided the elaboration of recommendations for the development of future environmental impacts studies.

On August 10, 1994, the Department of Energy/Nevada Operations Office (DOE/NV) published a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the entire Nevada Test Site (NTS) and seven off -site locations in the State of Nevada. In the EIS, DOE was to consider the following site management alternatives: (A) continue current operations and interagency project activities and programs. (B) discontinue operations, except those related to monitoring, security, and human health and safety, and decommission, (C) expand the use of the NTS to support national defense and nondefense programs, including waste management and storage, transportation, environmental restoration, and research and development; or (D) implement alternate use of withdrawn lands for new programs including unprecedented public access to remote areas for education and recreation. The structure, organization, and content of the EIS document were to be developed in accordance with the law, and included an assessment of long -term consequences of pro-posed alternatives, evaluation of mitigation strategies, and development of a resource management plan. Thus, in 1995 DOE/NV released a Draft Implementation Plan that documented the agency's approach for preparing the EIS, an important aspect of which is the incorporation of public opinion. In the same year, DOE/NV began consultations with the CGTO as required by NEPA, by the President's Council on Environmental Quality (Federal Register 43: 230, 44978 -56007), and the American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal Government Policy, as amended in 2000. The CGTO appointed seven of its representatives (the American Indian Writers Subgroup or AIWS) to research the potential adverse effects of each action alternative on American Indian resources, to propose mitigation alternatives, and to outline future involvement of the member tribes and organizations in NTS programs and activities. The result of this endeavor was unprecedented, in that DOE agreed to include excerpts of text prepared by the AIWS in the main body of the EIS document and to publish the American Indian Assessment: Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Nevada Test Site and Off-site Locations in the State of Nevada: A Native American Resource Document in its entirety, as Appendix G of the Final NTS EIS (DOE /NV 1996). In 2002 and 2008, reports were prepared that addressed American Indian responses to issues raised by the federally mandated five and ten year supplement analyses. This process involved looking at the 1996 Environmental Impact Assessment conducted to consider whether the issues Indian people assessed are still being addressed by the EIS and whether new issues have arisen that would require agency action such as a new Environmental Impact Statement assessment. Included in this collection is the original Appendix G of the Final NTS EIS (DOE /NV 1996), the 2002 Supplement Analysis and the 2008 Supplement Analysis. These efforts triggered a new Environmental Impact Statement which was completed in early 2013.

On August 10, 1994, the Department of Energy/Nevada Operations Office (DOE/NV) published a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the entire Nevada Test Site (NTS) and seven off -site locations in the State of Nevada. In the EIS, DOE was to consider the following site management alternatives: (A) continue current operations and interagency project activities and programs. (B) discontinue operations, except those related to monitoring, security, and human health and safety, and decommission, (C) expand the use of the NTS to support national defense and nondefense programs, including waste management and storage, transportation, environmental restoration, and research and development; or (D) implement alternate use of withdrawn lands for new programs including unprecedented public access to remote areas for education and recreation. The structure, organization, and content of the EIS document were to be developed in accordance with the law, and included an assessment of long -term consequences of pro-posed alternatives, evaluation of mitigation strategies, and development of a resource management plan. Thus, in 1995 DOE/NV released a Draft Implementation Plan that documented the agency's approach for preparing the EIS, an important aspect of which is the incorporation of public opinion. In the same year, DOE/NV began consultations with the CGTO as required by NEPA, by the President's Council on Environmental Quality (Federal Register 43: 230, 44978 -56007), and the American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal Government Policy, as amended in 2000. The CGTO appointed seven of its representatives (the American Indian Writers Subgroup or AIWS) to research the potential adverse effects of each action alternative on American Indian resources, to propose mitigation alternatives, and to outline future involvement of the member tribes and organizations in NTS programs and activities. The result of this endeavor was unprecedented, in that DOE agreed to include excerpts of text prepared by the AIWS in the main body of the EIS document and to publish the American Indian Assessment: Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Nevada Test Site and Off-site Locations in the State of Nevada: A Native American Resource Document in its entirety, as Appendix G of the Final NTS EIS (DOE /NV 1996). In 2002 and 2008, reports were prepared that addressed American Indian responses to issues raised by the federally mandated five and ten year supplement analyses. This process involved looking at the 1996 Environmental Impact Assessment conducted to consider whether the issues Indian people assessed are still being addressed by the EIS and whether new issues have arisen that would require agency action such as a new Environmental Impact Statement assessment. Included in this collection is the original Appendix G of the Final NTS EIS (DOE /NV 1996), the 2002 Supplement Analysis and the 2007 Supplement Analysis. These efforts triggered a new Environmental Impact Statement which was completed in early 2013.

Orientador: Leandro Eugenio da Silva Cerri / Banca: Fábio Augusto Gomes de Vieira Reis / Banca: Flávio Henrique Mingante Schlittler / Resumo: A avaliação da significância dos impactos ambientais continua a ser um importante componente crítico ainda mal compreendido da prática da avaliação de impactos ambientais. Este trabalho é um estudo sobre as conclusões de uma revisão bibliográfica sobre a avaliação e comunicação de avaliação do impacto ambiental praticada no Brasil. É dada especial atenção para a importância da utilização de critérios, padrões e métodos de avaliação de impactos ambientais que pretendendo incorporar mais eficiência nos estudos de impacto ambiental. Assim, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi a realização de uma proposta, incluindo o desenvolvimento de procedimentos e aplicar na avaliação de impactos ambientais situações relativas à sua formulação, aplicação e interpretação da significância dos critérios, conclusões e recomendações pertinentes para respeitar o objetivo da avaliação de impacto ambiental que é garantir a viabilidade ambiental das atividades humanas. / Abstract: The evaluation of the significance of environmental impacts remains an important critical yet poorly understood component of environmental impact assessment practice. This work is a study upon the findings of a bibliographic review about the evaluation and communication of environmental impact assessment in Brazil practice. Particular attention is given to the use of significance criteria, thresholds and EIA methodologies intending to incorporate more efficiency of environmental impact statement. Thus, the aim of this research was the accomplishment of a proposal including the development of procedures to apply in EIA issues surrounding the formulation, application and interpretation of significance criteria, conclusions and recommendations relevant to respect the aim of EIA that in provide environmental viability of men activities. / Mestre