The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires detailed environmental studies of certain “major” federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the environment. NEPA’s purpose is to require government decisionmakers to take a “hard look’ at all feasible project alternatives in order to encourage planning to minimize environmental and social impacts.

NEPA issues frequently occur in the context of infrastructure projects such as federal aid highways, rail transportation, pipelines, and navigation projects. We have advised clients on NEPA issues pertaining to major projects proposed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife, the Ohio Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration, and local transit authorities. We assist project planners in identifying project planning elements required by NEPA. We also assist the public in ensuring that project planning adequately addresses the environmental assessment, alternatives analysis, and public involvement required by NEPA.