GEPA Glossary: Key Terms & Definitions for Developers and Consultants

GEPA Key Terms & Definitions

Action: Any projects, activities, or programs proposed to be implemented or approved by a government agency that may have a significant impact on the environment. Actions may include the adoption of plans, policies, or procedures; the issuance of permits or licenses; or the construction of facilities or infrastructure.1

Agency: Any state department, agency, board, commission, authority, or other unit of the state government that has the authority to take actions that may affect the environment. This includes local governments and other entities that receive state funding or approval for their actions.2

Alternatives: Different options or courses of action that an agency may consider in order to achieve its objectives while minimizing or avoiding adverse environmental impacts. Alternatives may include different locations, designs, or methods for implementing a proposed action.3

Environmental Effects Report (EER): A detailed study prepared by a state agency to assess the potential environmental impacts of a proposed action. The EER must include a description of the proposed action, an analysis of its likely environmental effects, a consideration of alternatives, and a discussion of mitigation measures.4

Environmental Impact: Any change to the physical, chemical, biological, or social environment that results from a proposed action. Environmental impacts may be direct or indirect, short-term or long-term, and may affect natural resources, human health, or quality of life.5

Environmental Protection Division (EPD): The primary state agency responsible for implementing and enforcing environmental laws and regulations in Georgia, including the Georgia Environmental Policy Act. The EPD is a division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.6

Exemption: A provision in the Georgia Environmental Policy Act that allows certain types of actions to be excluded from the requirement to prepare an Environmental Effects Report. Exemptions may apply to emergency actions, routine maintenance or repair activities, or actions that are deemed to have minimal environmental impacts.7

Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI): A document prepared by a state agency after conducting an Environmental Effects Report, which concludes that a proposed action will not have a significant impact on the environment. A FONSI allows the agency to proceed with the action without preparing a more detailed Environmental Impact Statement.8

Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR): The state agency responsible for managing and conserving Georgia's natural resources, including parks, wildlife, and environmental quality. The DNR oversees the implementation of the Georgia Environmental Policy Act through its Environmental Protection Division.9

Georgia Environmental Policy Act (GEPA): A state law enacted in 1991 that requires state agencies to consider the environmental impacts of their actions and to involve the public in the decision-making process. GEPA is modeled after the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and aims to promote environmentally responsible government decision-making.10

Lead Agency: The state agency that has primary responsibility for preparing an Environmental Effects Report and making decisions related to a proposed action. The lead agency is typically the agency that is proposing the action or has the greatest expertise in the relevant environmental issues.11

Local Government: Any county, municipality, or other political subdivision of the state that has the authority to take actions that may affect the environment. Local governments are subject to the requirements of the Georgia Environmental Policy Act when they receive state funding or approval for their actions.12

Mitigation: Measures taken to avoid, minimize, or compensate for the adverse environmental impacts of a proposed action. Mitigation may include changes to the design or location of a project, restoration of affected habitats, or other actions to reduce or offset environmental harm.13

Notice of Proposed Action: A public notice issued by a state agency to inform the public of a proposed action and to invite comments and input on the potential environmental impacts. The notice must include a description of the proposed action, the location and timing of any public hearings, and information on how to submit comments.14

Public Hearing: A formal meeting held by a state agency to allow members of the public to provide oral comments and input on a proposed action and its potential environmental impacts. Public hearings are typically held after the release of an Environmental Effects Report and before a final decision is made on the action.15

Public Participation: The process of involving the public in government decision-making related to environmental issues. Public participation may include opportunities for the public to review and comment on Environmental Effects Reports, attend public hearings, or provide input through other means.16

Record of Decision (ROD): A document prepared by a state agency after completing an Environmental Effects Report or Environmental Impact Statement, which announces the agency's final decision on a proposed action and explains the reasons for that decision. The ROD must also describe any mitigation measures that will be implemented to reduce environmental impacts.17

Scoping: The process of determining the range of environmental issues and alternatives that will be addressed in an Environmental Effects Report. Scoping typically involves consultation with other agencies, stakeholders, and the public to identify potential impacts and concerns related to a proposed action.18

Significant Impact: A substantial adverse change in the environment resulting from a proposed action. The determination of whether an impact is significant depends on factors such as the context and intensity of the impact, the affected resources, and the duration of the impact.19

State Agency: Any department, board, bureau, commission, authority, council, or other unit of the executive branch of the state government. State agencies are subject to the requirements of the Georgia Environmental Policy Act when they propose actions that may have a significant impact on the environment.20

Tiering: The process of incorporating by reference the analysis and conclusions of a broader Environmental Effects Report or Environmental Impact Statement into a more specific or site-specific environmental review document. Tiering helps to avoid duplication of effort and allows agencies to focus on the unique impacts of a proposed action.21

Footnotes

  1. O.C.G.A. § 12-16-3(1) ↩

  2. O.C.G.A. § 12-16-3(2) ↩

  3. O.C.G.A. § 12-16-4(b)(3) ↩

  4. O.C.G.A. § 12-16-4(a) ↩

  5. O.C.G.A. § 12-16-3(6) ↩

  6. O.C.G.A. § 12-2-2(c) ↩

  7. O.C.G.A. § 12-16-4(d) ↩

  8. O.C.G.A. § 12-16-4(e) ↩

  9. O.C.G.A. § 12-2-1 ↩

  10. O.C.G.A. § 12-16-1 ↩

  11. O.C.G.A. § 12-16-3(8) ↩

  12. O.C.G.A. § 12-16-3(9) ↩

  13. O.C.G.A. § 12-16-4(b)(4) ↩

  14. O.C.G.A. § 12-16-5(a) ↩

  15. O.C.G.A. § 12-16-5(b) ↩

  16. O.C.G.A. § 12-16-2(2) ↩

  17. O.C.G.A. § 12-16-4(f) ↩

  18. O.C.G.A. § 12-16-4(b)(1) ↩

  19. O.C.G.A. § 12-16-3(14) ↩

  20. O.C.G.A. § 12-16-3(15) ↩

  21. O.C.G.A. § 12-16-4(c) ↩

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A Note to Our Readers: We hope this guide is a valuable resource in helping you better understand the . However, it's not a substitute for professional advice and doesn't cover every scenario. Always consult with regulatory bodies and professionals for the most current advice and project-specific guidance.