Public Process Portion of Impacts Analysis

With over 8 yr experience with NEPA and public participation in environmental impacts analysis, there is a need to evaluate the cost of the process as compared with the benefits achieved in the actual projects. Frequently, opponents to the actions have sought only to destroy the projects, not contribute to providing needed services to society. The implications of the public portion of the environmental impacts analysis process as involved from NEPA are outlined. Water resources planning and management with and without public participation are described. An anatomy of delay cites an actual case history of extreme frustration and costly delay in clearing a needed, well planned, and environmentally sound project. A post audit to evaluate the results of the process to make NEPA, basically a worthwhile requirement, operate efficiently is recommended.