NEPA and the Scoping Process

The National Environmental Policy Act requires federal agencies to engage the public during preparation of environmental reviews. Scoping occurs during the planning and early stages of the review. Agencies use scoping to engage various stakeholders–including federal, state, and local agencies–Native American Tribes, and the public in the early identification of affected resources, issues to be considered, and potential alternatives.

The co-lead agencies engaged the public in a 30-day scoping period from February 9, 2024 to March 18, 2024, to support the development of the draft programmatic EA. Scoping is the initial opportunity for the public to provide input on the project. The co-lead agencies will consider all comments received during the scoping period.

How to Provide Comments

The co-lead agencies and our partners are preparing the P2IP programmatic EA in accordance with NEPA and gathered information from interested parties on the project to inform the range of alternatives considered.

During the public scoping period, the public had the opportunity to participate in the scoping process and provide input through this web-based site from February 9, 2024, to March 18, 2024, at the in-person public scoping meetings, or by submitting comments. All scoping comments were to be submitted and be postmarked by close of business on March 18, 2024.

Reclamation held two in-person public scoping meetings:

• Tuesday, February 27, 2024. 5–7pm PT at the Colville Tribal Museum in Grand Coulee, WA

• Wednesday, February 28, 2024. 6–8pm PT at Kalispell Northern Quest Casino in Airway Heights, WA

The in-person public meetings followed an open-house style with no formal presentation. Subject matter experts from the co-lead agencies and tribes were available to provide information, answer questions, and accept comments. Posters that were displayed during the in-person public meetings are available below:

• Project Background

• P2IP Project Map

• Long-term Reintroduction Planning & P2IP Activities

• Federal Proposed Action

• Federal Purpose and Need

• NEPA Process

• Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act

• Providing Public Comment

NEPA Planning Process

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For more information, please contact Melissa Yenko (myenko@usbr.gov).

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