EPA Compliance: Lead the NEPA compliance process for USDA projects, programs, and activities, ensuring adherence to NEPA regulations, guidance, and best practices.
Environmental Review: Conduct environmental assessments (EAs) and environmental impact statements (EISs) to evaluate potential environmental impacts of proposed actions, alternatives, and mitigation measures.
Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with USDA program managers, agency personnel, and external stakeholders to identify environmental concerns, gather input, and address stakeholder interests in the NEPA process.
Project Management: Manage the overall NEPA review process, including scoping, planning, scheduling, and budgeting. Coordinate with project teams, consultants, and contractors to ensure timely completion of environmental documents.
Consultant Oversight: Oversee the work of environmental consultants and contractors engaged to support NEPA compliance efforts. Provide guidance, review deliverables, and ensure quality control.
Interagency Coordination: Coordinate with federal, state, tribal, and local agencies to facilitate interagency review and consultation processes required by NEPA and other environmental laws.
Public Involvement: Plan and conduct public involvement activities, such as public meetings, hearings, and comment periods, to solicit input from the public and stakeholders on proposed actions and environmental analyses.
Impact Analysis: Analyze environmental data, scientific studies, and technical reports to assess potential environmental impacts on air quality, water resources, wildlife, cultural resources, and other environmental resources.
Mitigation Planning: Develop and recommend mitigation measures to avoid, minimize, or compensate for adverse environmental impacts identified during the NEPA review process. Work with project teams to integrate mitigation into project design and implementation.
Documentation and Reporting: Prepare NEPA documents, including EAs, EISs, findings of no significant impact (FONSIs), and records of decision (RODs), in accordance with NEPA requirements. Ensure documentation is accurate, thorough, and transparent.