Environmental Assessment of Resource Development

Desired contents and expectations of environmental impact statements as required by the National Environmental Policy Act and the California Environmental Quality Act are discussed by representatives of the disciplines of biology, botany, soils, administration, engineering, fisheries, wildlife, zoology, and anthropology. Use of the matrices is outlined to provide a systematic approach to evaluate potential impacts, compare alternative solutions, identify critical actions, and indicate environmental conditions sensitive to the resource development project under consideration. Measurement and estimation of potential impact on water quality, aquatic organisms, wildlife, and the soil mantle are discussed. Annual plants and birds are proposed as possible indicator organisms to reveal the extent and magnitudes of resource development impacts on the environment. Anthropologists document the need to protect and scientifically evaluate the contents of archaeological sites.