Environment: Academic Review for Impact Statements
L.J.C. · 1974
The Institute of Ecology launched a two-year project to extend academic peer review to federal environmental impact statements.
Plain English Summary
The Environmental Impact Assessment Project assigned interdisciplinary teams of public interest scientists to critique federal impact statements. The project had a two-year budget of $220,000 and relied on volunteer faculty time, with about 400 volunteers signed up.
Why This Matters
Project leaders foresaw three ways the effort might influence federal agencies beyond the two-year period, including agencies adopting guidelines, making a practice of calling on institutions for reviews, or continuing the project. Existing review mechanisms included circulation of impact statements among agencies and parties, and federal courts entertaining lawsuits to enforce NEPA disclosure requirements. In 1972 nearly 1500 impact statements were prepared, many voluminous, with federal funds provided under NEPA.
Finding
The key question, as to the project's ultimate significance. Will the federal agencies find sufficient advantage in the academic review?
In their words
“The key question, as to the project's ultimate significance. Will the federal agencies find sufficient advantage in the academic review?”
Show BibTeX
@article{environment_academic_review_for_impact_statements_g5969,
author = {L.J.C.},
title = {Environment: Academic Review for Impact Statements},
year = {1974},
}