Environmental Assessment Guidelines for HUD: Interim Summary

An overview is presented of the environmental assessment guidelines developed for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by Planning Environment International, a Division of Alan M. Voorhees & Associates, Inc. The guidelines have been submitted by HUD to the Congress, urban areas, and to cities. The guidelines are to assist urban areas and cities in carrying out responsibilities related to environmental assessments in response to the National Policy Act. The overview describes HUD’s area of environmental concern in assessing their policies, plans and programs; examines key questions related to characterization of the urban environment, who will feel the impact, the size of the action, and impact presents a review of HUD’s policies and programs; and considers the development of guidance materials. A general process for impact assessment is developed and various types of environmental information are presented.