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Environmental impact assessments not the main barrier to timely forest management in the United States

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  • Cory L. Struthers

    (University of Georgia)

  • Kathryn J. Murenbeeld

    (Boise State University)

  • Matthew A. Williamson

    (Boise State University)

Abstract

Environmental impact assessment (EIA) processes are commonly used by government agencies to evaluate the merits and environmental risks of natural resource management decisions. Citing EIA as red tape, decision makers from across the political spectrum are increasingly circumventing EIA to expedite implementation of necessary actions for climate resilience and clean energy. Few studies have quantified the extent that EIA is the main barrier to efficient implementation. We combine administrative data from the US Forest Service with survival analysis to show that, for most actions, the Forest Service takes as long or longer to award first contracts and roll out initial activities than to comply with the 1970 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and that NEPA compliance accounts for approximately one-fifth of planned implementation time.

Suggested Citation

  • Cory L. Struthers & Kathryn J. Murenbeeld & Matthew A. Williamson, 2023. "Environmental impact assessments not the main barrier to timely forest management in the United States," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 6(12), pages 1542-1546, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:6:y:2023:i:12:d:10.1038_s41893-023-01218-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-023-01218-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Steven J. Balla & Alexander R. Beck & Elizabeth Meehan & Aryamala Prasad, 2022. "Lost in the flood?: Agency responsiveness to mass comment campaigns in administrative rulemaking," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(1), pages 293-308, January.
    2. Thomas J. Timberlake & Courtney A. Schultz, 2017. "Policy, practice, and partnerships for climate change adaptation on US national forests," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 144(2), pages 257-269, September.
    3. Portman, Michelle E., 2014. "Regulatory capture by default: Offshore exploratory drilling for oil and gas," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 37-47.
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