Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan
NEPA requires publishing a draft EA and subsequent Finding of No
Significant Impact (FONSI) and allowing public comment for a period of
30 days. An EA may result in a FONSI or Record of Decision concluding that
the action will have a significant impact and an EIS is required. The
information obtained by the EA / EIS is valuable in planning coordination and
policy formation at the local government level.
Department of Defense Instruction 4715.3 and Air Force Instruction (AFI)
32‐7065 require installations to develop an Integrated Cultural Resources
Management Plan (ICRMP) as an internal compliance and management tool
integrating the entirety of the cultural resources program with ongoing
mission activities. As a component of the installation master plan, the
ICRMP is the Base Commander’s decision document for conducting cultural
resources management actions and specific compliance procedures. It also
allows for ready identification of potential conflicts between the US Air
Force (USAF) mission and cultural resources, and identifies compliance
actions necessary to maintain the availability of mission‐essential properties
and acreage. The NEPA mandates that the military analyze the impact of its actions and
operations on the environment, including surrounding civilian communities.
Inherent in this analysis is an exploration of methods to reduce any adverse
environmental impact. The EIS is a public process that encourages
community participation by all stakeholders.
National Environmental Policy Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 is a federal law
establishing a US national policy to promote the protection and
enhancement of the environment and requiring federal agencies to analyze
and consider the potential environmental impact of their actions. The
purpose of NEPA is to promote informed decision‐making by federal
agencies by making detailed information concerning significant
environmental impacts available to both agency leaders and the public. Pursuant to the CWA, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) permit program controls water pollution by regulating point
sources such as pipes or man‐made ditches that discharge pollutants into
US waters. According to the law, individual homes that are connected to a
municipal system, use a septic system, or do not have a surface discharge do
not need an NPDES permit; however, industrial, municipal, and other
facilities must obtain permits if their discharges go directly to surface
waters. Traditionally, NPDES focused on point sources; however, more
recently the focus has shifted to nonpoint sources. Nonpoint sources
generally include street flow runoff from pavement, agricultural fields and
lawn areas, which by their nature, are more difficult to regulate.
All projects receiving federal funding, requiring a federal permit, or
occurring on federal property require NEPA compliance and documentation.
NEPA is applicable to all federal agencies, including the military. Not all
federal actions require a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). In some
cases, an action may not cause a significant impact, whereby an agency is
only required to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA).
A NEPA document can serve as a valuable planning tool for local planning
officials. An EA or EIS can assist in the determination of potential impacts
that may result from changing military actions or operations and their effect
on municipal policies, plans and programs, and the surrounding community.
Public hearings are required for all EIS documents released under NEPA.
June 2017
Noise Control Act of 1972
The Noise Control Act of 1972 identified that noise not adequately
controlled has the potential of endangering the health and welfare of
people. It states that all Americans are entitled to an environment free from
noise that can jeopardize their general health and quality of life. Along with
state, local, and territorial governments, actions from the federal
government were needed to ensure that the objectives of the Act were met.
Background Report
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