The City of Las Vegas proposes to conduct an assessment of Project impacts to the Summerlin Parkway corridor as part of the Project’s planning process. This assessment will be done in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), and in cooperation with NDOT. It will include studies of alternatives and preparation of a federal environmental document, as required by NEPA.

 What is NEPA?

 NEPA was signed into law on January 1, 1970, which established a national environmental policy specifically focused on federal activities and the desire for a sustainable environment balanced with other needs. NEPA established a supplemental mandate for federal agencies to analyze the potential environmental consequences of their proposed actions. It also requires the federal agencies to document the analysis and make the findings available to the public for comment prior to implementation of the proposed action.

The NEPA process is designed to facilitate public involvement in the planning process. NEPA is intended to help officials make decisions that are based on a solid understanding of the potential environmental consequences and to take actions to mitigate those impacts. NEPA procedures are intended to insure environmental information is available to the public before decisions are made and actions taken.

Environmental Assessments (EA) are required on all federal actions (or those involving federal monies) that could have impacts on the environment as required by NEPA. An EA presents information regarding the proposed project and how it may affect the natural and built/social environment within the study area. Elements of the natural environment typically studied include air quality, vegetation, wildlife and associated habitat, and water resources. Elements of the built/social environment typically studied include cultural resources, parks and recreation, environment justice, noise, and aesthetics.

Although federal funding is not available at this time, the City of Las Vegas is preparing an environmental document that follows the NEPA requirements to maintain eligibility if federal funding becomes available and to provide maximum opportunities for public involvement in the design process.