Environmental Justice

STEP 1.  In the area affected by the NRCS action, are there low-income populations, minority populations or Indian tribes?

NO [  ]             YES [  ]

1. If your answer is "No,” additional evaluation is not needed concerning environmental justice. Document the finding on form NRCS-CPA-52 or equivalent and proceed with planning.

2. If yes, then go to Step 2.

STEP 2.  Is the proposed action the type that might have a disproportionately adverse environmental or human health effect on any population?

NO [  ]             YES [  ]          

1. If your answer is "No,” additional evaluation is not needed concerning environmental justice. Document the finding on form NRCS-CPA-52 or equivalent and proceed with planning.

2. If yes, then go to step 3.

STEP 3.  Initiate community outreach to affected and interested parties that are categorized as low-income, minority, or as Indian Tribes. The purpose of this is to encourage participation and input on the proposed program or activity and any alternatives or mitigating options. Participation of these populations may require adaptive or innovative approaches to overcome linguistic, institutional, cultural, economic, historic, or other potential barriers to effective participation. Go to step 4.

STEP 4.  Considering the results of the outreach initiative together with other information gathered for the decision making process, will the proposed activity have a disproportionately high and adverse effect on the human health or the environment of minority, low-income, or Indian populations?

NO [  ]             YES [  ]          

1. If “No,” then go to Step 6.

2. If “Yes,” then go to Step 5.

STEP 5.  Consider the feasibility and appropriateness of alternatives or mitigating options and their effects.

STEP 6. Notify interested and affected parties of agency decision.

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