Manhattan College
ENVL417/ENVG517 - Environmental Law
Instructor: Dr. Walter F. Matystik
Assignment: Week 3
Based on your reading of Chapter 10 of the text and
Sections II A,B,and C of Geneslaw's functional equivalence paper,
answer the
following:
- What actions are subject to NEPA?
- What is a "lead
agency" under NEPA and what purpose does it serve?
- Briefly define the following:
- Environmental Assessment
- FONSI (not the one from
Happy Days!)
- Scoping
- Draft EIS
- Final
EIS
- No Action Alternative
- When may the public participate
in the NEPA process?
- What areas (at least five)must be addressed in an EIS?
Assume that during the week of Feb. 6, 2000, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers started holding
public hearings on a proposed project to build a new shopping mall (Meadowlands Mill) in
New Jersey (near the NY(?) /NJ Giants Stadium and sports complex). A wetlands permit is required
for the project to proceed. Reportedly, the mall would be the largest in New Jersey surpassing
all of the malls along NJ Route 17 and be larger than the recently completed Pailsades Center in neighboring Rockland County.
- With NEPA in mind, why is the Corps of
Engineers the agency holding public hearings?
- If hearings are being held, has a FONSI been
made?
- You've attended the public hearing as a concerned citizen. Argue for the project listing 4-5 benefits. Argue against the project listing 4-5 concerns.
-
Familiarize yourself with an actual DEIS by reviewing the one for the The Croton Water Treatment Plant Project
Read the Overton Park case.- What is the "hard look" doctrine?
- What are three key findings or inquiries must be made under the hard look doctrine?