The Eastern Oklahoma Region’s Division of Environmental, Safety, and Cultural Resources Management ensures BIA’s compliance with environmental laws and regulations relative to Native Allotments, Trust properties, and BIA-funded projects.
The most common way this if fulfilled is through the process outlined by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) which was established “to use all practicable means and measures, including financial and technical assistance, in a manner calculated to foster and promote the general welfare, to create and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony, and [to] fulfill the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations of Americans.” 42 U.S.C. 4331(a).
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Compliance Documents
Categorical Exclusions (CE, CatEx, etc.)
If the proposed action fits within the list of actions exempt from further NEPA documentation published by the Department of the Interior (DOI) and BIA, then it can be categorically excluded. For this to happen, it must be determined that no “extraordinary circumstances” apply to the proposed action. This is done through a Categorical Exclusion Exception Review (CEER) Checklist.
Environmental Assessment (EA)
If the proposed action does not qualify for a Categorical Exclusion, does not have a previously prepared NEPA document, or the significance of the action affect is unknown, then an Environmental Assessment is necessary. This document provides evidence and analysis for the determination of the significance of effects for the proposed action. This will also determine if a Finding of No Significance (FONSI) or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is necessary for the action to proceed.
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)
If the Environmental Assessment finds that the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the environment, then a FONSI is prepared and made available to the public before the proposed action moves forward.
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
If the Environmental Assessment finds that the proposed action will have a significant effect on the environment, then an EIS is needed. This process begins with a Notice of Intent published in the Federal Register and local public media and requires public scoping. Drafts of EISs are prepared and also made available for the public to review and comment upon, with the Final EISs inclusion of responses to the comments that were received.
Record of Decision (ROD)
Once the EIS is done, then the BIA’s decision is documented in a ROD which explains the decision, its factors, and identifies the environmentally preferred alternative along with other alternatives for the proposed action. This is made available to the public before the decision is carried out.
More information about these documents and their processes can be found on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) | U.S. Department of the Interior website.
Projects that require an Environmental Assessment or an Environmental Impact Statement are listed below. Public documents associated with each project are available for download.
OKT Joint EIS for BLM RMP & BIA IRMP
Osage County Oil & Gas EIS
Contact Us
Mailing Address DESCRM, Bureau of Indian Affairs | Physical Address DESCRM, Bureau of Indian Affairs |
| Telephone: (918) 614-1625 | |
| Regional Environmental Scientist (918) 614-1618 mosby.halterman@bia.gov | Regional NEPA Coordinator (918) 320-7921 eric.callison@bia.gov |
| NEPA Coordinator (Osage County) (918) 320-7922 laura.palmer@bia.gov | Regional Archaeologist (Acting) (918) 320-7923 robert.wight@bia.gov |
