Computer-Aided Environmental Impact Analysis

In order to efficiently comply with the complex requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the U.S. Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) has developed three systems to aid in the assessment of environmental impacts and preparation of environmental impact statements. The Environmental Impact Computer System (EICS) identifies potential environmental impacts and provides guidance regarding their relative importance and potential mitigation procedures. The Economic Impact Forecast System (EIFS) provides quantitative estimates of regional economic impact of Army actions based upon an extensive, diverse, interactive data base. The Computer-Aided Environmental Legislative Data System (CELDS) interactively provides user-specified, informative abstracts of pertinent state and Federal environmental legislations and standards. The extensive field usage of these systems has established their usefulness, cost effectiveness, and practicality in complying with NEPA.