Spatial - Ed.com

Many of our projects are in the government realm.  It is easy to become immersed in the federal world of Acronyms.  While Here are a few bits from the alphabet soup and how they fit into our showcased projects.

SRP - Special Recreation Permit

Proposed fun on the public land might warrant a permit.  Review BLM's site for the official requirements but generally speaking, large commercial, competitive and advertised events need a permit.

Burning Man permit issued for 2006-2010

http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/fo/wfo/blm_information/newsroom/2006/06/burning_man_recieves.html

SRP Stipulations

Stipulations allow for events to be held on the public lands but only under certain conditions.

The Burning Man event is held with over 80 stipulations

2006-10 Stipulations - 1.3 MB PDF file

Stipulations added for 2010 - 232 KB PDF file

Read our reports for Stipulation Monitoring at Burning Man 2006, 07 and 2008

NEPA process to create the SRP and its stipulations

NEPA - National Environmental Policy Act

The NEPA process is designed to review proposed actions on the public lands and ensure the balance of the public's enjoyment of the public lands while protecting the natural resources.

http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/info/nepa.html

EIS - Environmental Impact Statement

For really big projects like corporate gold mine or installing hundres of miles of pipeline, BLM's comprehensive review of all possible impacts as prescribed by the NEPA review process.  The EIS the final document of these findings.

EA - Environmental Assessment

For smaller projects like motorcycle races or even Burning Man, a fair review can be made with less involvement than an EIS.  A single EA was created for to cover 5 Burning Man events from 2006-2010

Like with an EIS, the BLM holds meetings and solicits comments from the public when starting an EIS/EA, and again upon the publication of a draft EA.

2006-10 Event EA - 859 KB PDF file

FONSI - Finding of No Significant Impact

The BLM finds that a proposed action turns out to be ok and will leave no significant  impact to the public lands.

2006-10 Event FONSI - 31 KB PDF file

ROD - Record of Decision

The results of the EIS/EA review

2006-10 Event ROD - 39 KB PDF file

DNA - Determination of Needs Analysis

The review of existing EA's to see if a new EA is needed to permit future events.

Permit to be renewed for 2011 Burning Man and later events

BLM - Bureau of Land Management

The federal agency that manages the public lands, which are primarily in the Western US.

Approximately two-thirds of the land in Nevada is BLM.

http://www.blm.gov

http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en.html

That's all we know about the whole NEPA process!

Check out the BLM website for the official word and more details.