Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan for 2012-2014

This government document describes an Action Plan by 16 agencies to restore the Great Lakes during the FY 2012-2014. It articulates the most significant ecosystem problems and efforts to address them in five major focus areas: • Toxic Substances and Areas of Concern, including pollution prevention and cleanup of the most polluted areas in the Great Lakes • Invasive Species, including efforts to institute a “zero tolerance policy” toward new invasions, including the establishment of self-sustaining populations of invasive species, such as Asian Carp • Nearshore Health and Nonpoint Source Pollution, including a targeted geographic focus on high priority watersheds and reducing polluted runoff from urban, suburban and, agricultural sources • Habitat and Wildlife Protection and Restoration, including bringing wetlands and other habitat back to life, and the first-ever comprehensive assessment of the entire 530,000 acres of Great Lakes coastal wetlands for the purpose of strategically targeting restoration and protection efforts in a science-based manner • Accountability, Education, Monitoring, Evaluation, Communication and Partnerships, including the implementation of goal- and results-based accountability measures, learning initiatives, outreach and strategic partnerships The Action Plan identifies goals, objectives, measurable ecological targets, and specific actions for each of the five focus areas identified above. The Action Plan will be used by federal agencies in the development of the federal budget for Great Lakes restoration in fiscal years 2011 and beyond. As such, it will serve as guidance for collaborative restoration work with participants to advance restoration. The Action Plan will also help advance the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement with Canada

Considering Cumulative Effects Under the National Environmental Policy Act

This document is intended to assist Federal agencies with analyzing cumulative effects during the NEPA process. It outlines general principles, common cumulative effects assessment methodologies, and resources for additional information and background data

A Citizen's Guide to the NEPA: Having Your Voice Heard

This introductory guide to the National Environmental Policy Act describes the NEPA process and provides information on how citizens can get involved

Incorporating biodiversity considerations into environmental impact analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act

This report outlines general concepts that underlie biological diversity analysis and management, and discusses methods for considering biodiversity in current and future NEPA analyses

Proposed National Objectives, Principles and Standards for Water and Related Resources Implementation Studies

This document reflects planning efforts by the Executive Office of the President to design federal policy for the use of water resources

Collaboration in NEPA: A Handbook for NEPA Practitioners

This handbook is a collaboration of research and consultations by the Council on Environmental Quality concerning analyses prepared under the National Environmental Protection Act. This guide introduces interested parties to collaborative principles, and includes suggestions for successful collaborative efforts

Decay of escherichia coli in soil following the application of biosolids to agricultural land

The decay of Escherichia coli in a sandy loam soil, amended with enhanced and conventionally treated biosolids, was investigated in a field experiment following spring and autumn applications of sewage sludge. Control soils, without the application of biosolids, were also examined to determine the background indigenous populations of E. coli which are present in the environment. The survival of indigenous E. coli and populations of E. coli applied to soil in biosolids, is assessed in relation to environmental factors influencing pathogen-decay processes in soil

National Agricultural Lands Study – Final Report

Excerpts from the report Preface: In June 1979, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the President’s Council on Environmental Quality agreed to sponsor an inter-agency study of the availability of the nation’s agricultural lands, the extent and causes of their conversion to other uses, and ways in which these lands might be retained for agricultural purposes. This effort, the National Agricultural Lands Study, was charged with: Determining the nature, rate, extent, and causes of conversion of agricultural land to nonagricultural uses. Evaluating the economic, environmental, and social consequences of agricultural land conversion and methods used to attempt to restrain and retard conversion. Recommending administrative and legislative actions, if found necessary, to reduce potential losses to the nation that might result from continued conversion of agricultural land to nonagricultural uses

The NEPA Task Force report to the Council on Environmental Quality

This report presents recommendations to change the NEPA implementation process, based on the review of an appointed task force