As part of work that I am doing under the auspices of the Organization
of Biological Field Stations to better understand the relationship
between NEPA and field research, I am interested in knowing what kinds
of things scientists do, or wish to do, on federal lands, that might
trigger NEPA. I am also interested as well in understanding the
experiences people have had. If you respond, I would also appreciate
knowing, if you have the information:
1. What year was the study done?
2. Was NEPA required? If so, what level? Categorical exclusion,
environmental assessment, environmental impact statement?
3. What federal agency (e.g., USFS, BLM, Park Service, etc) oversaw the
public lands?
4. Was the study conducted on lands that had a special designation
(e.g., wilderness, research natural area, etc.).
Examples of research already on my list include:
The setting of plot markers (both permanent and temporary), sample of
aboveground biomass, the removal of flowers, the use of fences
(temporary and permanent), the establishment of gopher exclusions, the
collection of soil samples, the placement of pitfall traps in the
ground, sample of plant materials (e.g., tree cores), the handling and
marking of animals, the establishment of weather stations (temporary and
permanent), the placement of environmental sensors (e.g., Hobo's).
I encourage people to email me directly items that I am missing from the
list (especially items that involve ground disturbance or other actions
likely to trigger NEPA) as well as details about people's experiences.
Happy holidays!
--
Ian Billick
Executive Director
RMBL
PO 519, Crested Butte, CO 81224
970 349 6669
