28 min
Navigating NEPA, National Environmental Policy Act The County Seat's Podcast
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- Government
"Usually we find NEPA to be the thorn in our side. And it's historically been really bogged down in bureaucratic red tape and lengthy processes. You know, we have stories in Utah, of NEPA, taking up to 13 years to get done." - Darin Bushman, Piute County Commissioner We discuss the frustration caused by the requirements of NEPA when a county is trying to carry out a project on public lands but it isn't necessarily the fault of any particular agency or even the law. There are also some steps local governments can take to help the NEPA process along. Highlights: 01:18 An overview of NEPA and the different tracks a project might take (Categorical Exclusion, EA, or an EIS)? 09:42 What do delays mean for important projects that impact a community? 17:31 How can independent consulting firms help the agencies and these projects move forward?
"Usually we find NEPA to be the thorn in our side. And it's historically been really bogged down in bureaucratic red tape and lengthy processes. You know, we have stories in Utah, of NEPA, taking up to 13 years to get done." - Darin Bushman, Piute County Commissioner We discuss the frustration caused by the requirements of NEPA when a county is trying to carry out a project on public lands but it isn't necessarily the fault of any particular agency or even the law. There are also some steps local governments can take to help the NEPA process along. Highlights: 01:18 An overview of NEPA and the different tracks a project might take (Categorical Exclusion, EA, or an EIS)? 09:42 What do delays mean for important projects that impact a community? 17:31 How can independent consulting firms help the agencies and these projects move forward?
28 min