National Environmental Policy Act Overview

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to consider the environmental impacts of their actions. This includes gathering information on environmental conditions, evaluating programs, developing policies, and conducting research.

An Environmental Assessment (EA) is a brief analysis used to determine if a proposed action would have significant environmental impacts. If the EA concludes there are no significant impacts, a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is issued.

An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is a detailed document created when a proposed action is expected to have significant environmental impacts. It thoroughly analyzes the need for the action, alternatives, and environmental consequences.

The Lead Agency is responsible for overseeing the preparation of environmental analysis documents for a proposed action. They can work jointly with other agencies to prepare these documents.

A Cooperating Agency assists the Lead Agency with environmental analysis, often because of their expertise in a particular area or specific legal jurisdiction.

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) reviews referred actions to ensure consistency with NEPA's objectives and develops recommendations to address any environmental concerns.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for reviewing environmental impact statements and providing public comments on the potential impacts of major federal actions.

These wastes are extremely dangerous, causing harm to humans and animals even in small amounts.

A comprehensive system set up by RCRA to manage hazardous waste from its creation to its final disposal, ensuring safety for human health and the environment.

A regulatory process under 40 CFR Part 261 to determine if a waste material is classified as hazardous waste, solid waste, or exempt from regulation.

Any substance, whether solid, liquid, or gas, that poses a threat to people, animals, property, or the environment.

Regulations under 40 CFR Part 262 that outline requirements for businesses generating hazardous waste, including identification, labeling, packaging, record-keeping, and waste accumulation.

Regulations under 40 CFR Part 268 that restrict the disposal of hazardous wastes on land without proper treatment. This ensures hazardous wastes meet specific standards before being placed in landfills or other land disposal units.

Regulations under 40 CFR Parts 264 and 265, Subpart CC, that set standards for tanks storing hazardous wastes with high volatile organic content. These standards help reduce air emissions from these tanks.

A period of up to 90 days (or 180 days depending on the amount generated) during which a generator can accumulate hazardous waste on-site without needing a permit for treatment, storage, or disposal.

Agricultural producers can dispose of pesticide waste from their own use without hazardous waste requirements if they follow proper pesticide labeling and disposal instructions.

Materials like batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment, lamps, and aerosol cans that pose environmental risks, but are managed differently than traditional hazardous waste.

A category of universal waste that includes batteries for computers, phones, and other electronics.

Agricultural pesticides that are no longer used due to various reasons, including bans, recalls, or changes in farming practices.

Equipment containing mercury, specifically thermostats, which are regulated as hazardous waste due to the presence of mercury.

The rule that simplifies the handling of universal waste by reducing regulatory burdens on businesses.

Regulations designed to control the collection, storage, transportation, processing, and re-refining of used oil.

Oil that has been used for purposes like lubrication and has become contaminated with impurities.

Oil derived from crude oil or synthetic materials and used for various applications.

Oil that hasn't been used or contaminated, like virgin fuel oil or spill recovery oil.

The amount of used oil exempt from regulations for certain types of generators, like those using less than 25 gallons per year for vehicle and machinery maintenance.

The exemption for universal waste regulations for businesses generating less than 100 kg of universal waste per month.

The process of removing gas or a mixture of gases from a solid bed by trapping them on the surface of the adsorbent material.

A type of landfill that uses controlled addition of liquids and air to enhance microbial breakdown of waste, accelerating decomposition and stabilization.

The boundary between the saturated zone (water-filled) and the unsaturated zone (partially filled with air) in the ground.

A method of reducing the solubility of a substance in a solvent, usually water. It helps prevent the substance from dissolving and spreading.

The distance upwind from a hazardous spill where it is safe to be due to potential vapor or smoke hazards, calculated to prevent exposure to harmful levels.

A chemical compound that binds multiple times to a metal ion.

A substance that minimizes pH changes in a solution. It resists shifts in hydrogen ion concentration.

Organic compounds containing a C=O group. They have structures -CHO (aldehydes) and RC(=O)R' (ketones) where R and R' are carbon-containing groups.

Water's ability to dissolve a wide range of substances, making it a universal solvent.

Particles with a length at least 3 times greater than their width. Examples include fibers in textiles and asbestos in construction materials.

A technique that separates organic compounds based on their boiling points. It uses a carrier gas and a column to separate different compounds.

The process of converting ammonia to nitrate during wastewater treatment. It involves the oxidation of ammonia in the presence of oxygen.

Atoms of the same element that have the same atomic number (same number of protons) but different atomic masses (different number of neutrons).

Hydrocarbons with one or more double bonds between carbon atoms. They are unsaturated because they can add more hydrogen atoms.

The amount of energy needed to vaporize one pound of water. It is a crucial factor in understanding heat transfer and energy consumption.