The following are definitions commonly used during an EIS preparation process:

Alternatives Screening
The process by which the FAA identifies and impartially assesses a range of alternatives and identifies those alternatives that are reasonable and feasible and that satisfy the purpose and need.

Draft EIS
Documents the purpose and need, alternatives screening process, and methods and results of the environmental analysis. Distributed for review and comments by the public; federal, state, and local government agencies; and Native American tribes.

Environmental Analysis
Evaluates the environmental impacts of all reasonable and feasible alternatives.

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
A document required by the Federal government under NEPA for certain Federal actions, which documents the environmental impacts of the Project and all reasonable and feasible alternatives. The purpose of the EIS is to provide information to Federal decision-makers and the public about a Project.

Environmentally Preferred Alternative
As expressed in NEPA, an alternative that will cause the least damage to the biological and physical environment and which best protects, preserves, and enhances historic, cultural, and natural resources, while also satisfying the purpose and need for the Project.

Final EIS
Revised, as appropriate, based on comments made by the public; federal, state and local government agencies; and Native American tribes on the Draft EIS. Contains all comments and provides response to those comments. Documents the FAA's preferred alternative.

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)
The basic national charter for protection of the environment, NEPA ensures that high quality, accurate scientific analysis and environmental information is available to public officials and citizens before decisions are made and before actions are taken.

Notice of Availability (NOA)
For the Draft or Final EIS or Record of Decision (ROD), a public notice that states that the document is available to the public for review.

Notice of Intent (NOI)
The notice that initiates the NEPA process, that is published in the Federal Register.

Proposed Action
The action (or Project) proposed by the Project Sponsor, the Rhode Island Airport Corporation.

Public Comment Period/Hearing
Provides opportunities for the public; federal, state, and local government agencies; and Native American tribes to provide oral or written comments on the Draft EIS. The DEIS public comment period will last 45 days from July 16, 2010 through August 30, 2010. A public hearing, which will provide an opportunity for the public to comment on the DEIS, is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at 6:00 PM.

Purpose and Need
Identifies the reason for the project or identifies the problem to be solved.

Record of Decision (ROD)
Documents the FAA's decision on the Proposed Action, how the decisions were made, alternatives considered including the Proposed Action, and the preferred alternative; and discusses what mitigation measures are being imposed to lessen significant environmental impacts.

Scoping
Public and agencies participate in an early and open process that will determine the issues and alternatives addressed in the EIS.

^ TOP