Noninfrastructure Projects - Environmental Assessments

According to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Categorical Exclusions are "a category of actions which do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment...and for which, therefore, neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement is required".

The following questions are provided as a resource to help you determine whether your project qualifies for a Categorical Exclusion. This is not a comprehensive list, and it is highly recommended you meet with your community partners to determine specific requirements.

Will your project:

• Affect any: (a) federally listed endangered or threatened species or designated critical habitat, or (b) species listed as a wildlife or special concern in Iowa?
• Include introduction or exportation of any species not presently or historically occurring in the project location?
• Affect any recognized state natural area, prime or unique ecosystem, geologic feature, or other ecologically critical area?
• Involve habitat alteration or land use changes such as planting, burning, removal of native vegetation, cleaning, grazing, water manipulation, or modification of public use?
• Require ground or surface water through contract of acquisition for long-term project viability?
• Include the use of any chemical toxicants?
• Result in any discharge which will conflict with Federal or State air or water quality regulations?
• Affect any archaeological, historical or cultural site that alters the aesthetics of the subject area?
• Impact a designated wild or scenic river, wilderness area, national trail, or other protective national or state designation (i.e., Unique Waters Are of Critical Environmental Concern, National Conservation Area, etc.)?
• Have any substantive environmental impacts not addressed above, or result in cumulative impacts, which separately do not require assessment but together must be considered substantial?