(d) The reasons and bases for actions, decisions, 

 and results required in the EQ evaluation activities 

 should be documented in an appropriate form. Nar- 

 rative statements, ranging from short notes to ex- 

 tensive descriptions, are appropriate for most docu- 

 mentation needs. Other formats that may be used 

 are: maps, including composites and overlays; grad- 

 uated scales, including time lines; graphs; lists; 

 tables; scale models; sound recordings; photo- 

 graphs; films; conceptual drawings; and other for- 

 mats that accurately record information. Appendix 

 A presents examples of documentation formats that 

 may be used. 



3.3.5 Performance objectives. 



Performance objectives are statements of intent 

 that serve as guides to planners in making deci- 

 sions on how to carry out and document EQ evalu- 

 ation. In accordance with the intent of the CEQ 

 NEPA regulations, EQ evaluation and its documen- 

 tation should be: 



(a) Generally understandable to members of the 

 public interested in the evaluation (see 40 CFR 

 1502.8). 



(b) Accessible in a form readily available to mem- 

 bers of the public interested in the evaluation (see 

 40 CFR 1506.6(0). 



(c) Traceable so that members of the public in- 

 terested in knowing the bases and events that led 

 to decisions can follow these factors through the 

 process (see 40 CFR 1500.2(b). 1502.18, and 

 1502.24). 



(d) Focused on analysis of significant issues (see 

 40 CFR 1500.1(b), 1501.7(a) (2) and (3), and 

 15Q^.2(b)). 



(e) Analytic rather than encyclopedic, with infor- 

 mation that will be useful to making decisions in ad- 

 vancing the planning process (see 40 CFR 1500.1 

 (b) and (c), 1500.2 (a) and (b), and 1500.4(f)). 



(0 At a level of detail comparable to economic 

 and technical analyses (see 40 CFR 1501.2(b)) and 

 necessary for reasonable accuracy of meas- 

 urements, estimates, and other descriptions needed 

 in understanding and making decisions about alter- 

 native plans (see 40 CFR 1502.15). 



(g) Based on scientifically valid and, to the extent 

 practical, acceptable precepts (see 40 CFR 

 1502.24). 



(h) The means to identify and describe the ef- 

 fects of alternative plans, rather than to justify deci- 

 sions already made (see 40 CFR 1502.2(g)). 



(i) Complete and timely, so that information about 

 effects that is essential to a reasoned choice 



among alternative plans is available when needed 

 for decisionmaking, in accordance with 40 CFR 

 1502.22. 



Section IV— EQ Evaluation Process 



3.4.1 Orientation. 



(a) EO evaluation in the planning process. (1) 

 This section describes the EQ evaluation phases 

 and activities that should be used to identify the 

 significant beneficial and adverse effects of alterna- 

 tive plans on significant EQ resources. 



(b) EO evaluation phases and activities. (1 ) Eval- 

 uation in the planning process (Step 4) consists of 

 the assessment and appraisal of effects. As de- 

 scribed in these procedures, it also includes the 

 necessary definition and inventorying that are pre- 

 paratory to assessment and appraisal. These four 

 general actions— define, inventory, assess, ap- 

 praise—are called phases in these procedures. 

 Each phase is divided into specific actions defined 

 in terms of operational instructions. These specific 

 actions are called activities in these procedures. 

 The phases and their activities that make up the 

 EQ evaluation process described in these proce- 

 dures are graphically illustrated in Figure 3.4.1-1. 



Figure 3.4.1-1— EQ Evaluation Process: Phases and 

 Activities 



(2) Although these phases are presented in a 

 linear sequence, many interrelationships exist 

 among the phases and their activities. Planners 

 may have to repeat phases and activities in stages 

 to complete a given EQ evaluation. 



(c) EO evaluation stages. (1) The interrelation- 

 ships among EQ evaluation phases and activities, 

 as well as the interrelationships between EQ evalu- 



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