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Instructions for Completing Form NRCS-CPA-52, "Environmental Evaluation Worksheet"

Instructions for Completing Form NRCS-CPA-52, "Environmental Evaluation Worksheet"

COMPLETING THE FORM

The form NRCS-CPA-52 is the instrument used to summarize the effects of conservation practices and systems. It also provides summary documentation of the environmental evaluation (EE) of the planned actions. The EE is “a concurrent part of the planning process in which the potential long-term and short-term impacts of an action on people, their physical surroundings, and nature are evaluated and alternative actions explored” (NPPH-Amendment 3 January 2000). The EE applies to all assistance provided by NRCS (GM190 Part 410.5).

The following are instructions for completing form NRCS-CPA-52:

  1. Record the client's name.
  2. Enter the conservation plan identification number.
  3. Enter the conservation management unit to which this evaluation applies. This may be done by field, pasture, tract, landuse (i.e. cropland, rangeland, woodland, etc.), by resource area (i.e. riparian corridor or wetland area) or any other suitable geographic division.
  4. Briefly summarize the client’s objective(s).
  5. Briefly identify the purpose and need for action. Reference the resource concern(s) to be addressed.
  6. Use the provided resource, economic, and social considerations or list considerations identified during scoping or by any existing areawide, watershed or other resource document appropriate for the planning area. The list of considerations may be expanded by listing subcategories, such as wind erosion, sheet erosion, gully erosion etc. Refer to the applicable quality criteria.
  7. (Same as F) Use the provided resource, economic, and social considerations or list considerations identified during scoping or by any existing areawide, watershed or other resource document appropriate for the planning area. The list of considerations may be expanded by listing subcategories, such as wind erosion, sheet erosion, gully erosion etc. Refer to the applicable quality criteria.
  8. Briefly summarize the practice/system of practices being proposed, as well as any alternatives being considered. Document the effects of the proposed action for the considerations listed in E and F. Reference applicable quality criteria, information in the CPPE, and quantify effects whenever possible. Consider both long-term and short-term effects. Consider any effects which may be individually minor but cumulatively significant at a larger scale or over an extended time period. At the request of the client, additional alternatives may be developed and their effects evaluated. This may be done in order to more fully inform the client about the decision to be made. In these cases, briefly describe alternatives to the proposed action, including the “no action” alternative. The no action alternative is the predicted future condition if no action is taken.  Clearly define the differences between proposed action, no action, and the other alternatives if applicable.
  9. (Same as H) Briefly summarize the practice/system of practices being proposed, as well as any alternatives being considered. Document the effects of the proposed action for the considerations listed in E and F. Reference applicable quality criteria, information in the CPPE, and quantify effects whenever possible. Consider both long-term and short-term effects. Consider any effects which may be individually minor but cumulatively significant at a larger scale or over an extended time period. At the request of the client, additional alternatives may be developed and their effects evaluated. This may be done in order to more fully inform the client about the decision to be made. In these cases, briefly describe alternatives to the proposed action, including the “no action” alternative. The no action alternative is the predicted future condition if no action is taken.  Clearly define the differences between proposed action, no action, and the other alternatives if applicable.
  10. See the Special Environmental Concerns Evaluation Procedure Guide Sheets in Appendix 610.70 of the National Environmental Compliance Handbook.  Completion of Help Sheets is not required, but may provide additional documentation that the appropriate processes have been followed.  Complete section J by documenting the effects of each alternative on the special environmental concerns listed in I. Quantify effects whenever possible. Consider both long-term and short-term effects. Consider any effects, which may be individually minor but cumulatively significant at a larger scale or over an extended time period.
  11. (Same as J) See the Special Environmental Concerns Evaluation Procedure Guide Sheets in Appendix 610.70 of the National Environmental Compliance Handbook.  Completion of Help Sheets is not required, but may provide additional documentation that the appropriate processes have been followed.  Complete section J by documenting the effects of each alternative on the special environmental concerns listed in I. Quantify effects whenever possible. Consider both long-term and short-term effects. Consider any effects, which may be individually minor but cumulatively significant at a larger scale or over an extended time period.
  12. List any necessary easements, permissions, or permits (i.e. 404, ESA section 10, State or county permits or requirements).
  13. Describe mitigation to be applied that will offset any adverse impacts. Attach documentation from other agencies.
  14. The individual responsible for completing the CPA-52 must sign and date the Form indicating they have used the best available information. This signature is particularly important when a TSP is completing the CPA-52 or when NRCS is providing technical assistance on behalf of another agency.
  15. Document contact and communications with USFWS, NOAA Fisheries, COE, EPA, NRCS State Biologist, State Environmental Agencies, or any others consulted. Include public participation activities, if applicable.
  16. Check the applicable finding being made.
  17. Explain the reasons for making the finding identified in P. Cite any references, analysis, data, or documents which support the finding. Add additional pages as necessary. To find that an action has been sufficiently analyzed in an existing NRCS environmental document, the document must cover the area in which the action is being implemented.
  18. NRCS responsible official must sign and date for NRCS actions. The FSA or other federal agency responsible official must sign and date for FSA or other agency funded activities.
CRITERIA FOR IDENTIFYING EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES

Extraordinary circumstances usually involve impacts on environmental concerns such as wetlands, floodplains, or cultural resources. The circumstances that may lead to a determination of extraordinary circumstances are the same factors used to make determinations of significance and include

  1. Impacts that may be both beneficial and adverse and that significantly affect the quality of the human environment.
  2. The degree to which the proposed action affects public health or safety.
  3. Unique characteristics of the area, such as proximity to historic or cultural resources, park lands, prime farmlands, wetlands, wild and scenic rivers, or ecologically critical areas.
  4. The degree to which the effects on the quality of the human environment are likely to be controversial.
  5. The degree to which the possible effects on the quality of the human environment are highly uncertain or involve unique or unknown risks.
  6. The degree to which the action may establish a precedent for future actions with significant effects or represent a decision in principle about a future consideration.
  7. Individually insignificant but cumulatively significant activities that have not been analyzed on a broader level, such as on a program-wide or priority area basis.
  8. Adverse effects on areas listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, or that may result in loss or destruction of significant scientific, cultural, or historical resources.
  9. Adverse effects on an endangered or threatened species or its designated critical habitat.
  10. Circumstances threatening the violation of Federal, State or local law or requirements imposed for the protection of the environment.

If one or more extraordinary circumstances are found to apply to the proposed action, determine whether the proposal can be modified to mitigate the adverse effects and prevent the extraordinary circumstances. If this can be done and the client agrees to the change, then the proposed action may be modified and categorically excluded. If the proposed action cannot be modified or the client refuses to accept a proposed change, prepare an EA or EIS as indicated above.

If none of the extraordinary circumstances are determined to apply to the proposed action (or modified action), then it may be categorically excluded. Document the rationale for the determination in Q.

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