National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Opportunities for Consulting Soil Scientists.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Opportunities for Consulting Soil Scientists

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and subsequent amendments requires an environmental document such as an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), Environmental Assessment (EA), or a Categorical Exclusion (CE) for any federally-funded project or projects that have other aspects of federal involvement.  These documents can also include 4(f) and 6(f) investigations.  These environmental documents typically require clearance in the Section 106 process for a cultural resources assessment for above-ground cultural resources necessitating historical/architectural investigations and for below-ground cultural resources necessitating archaeological investigations; ecological surveys involving protected species and habitat; wetland delineation, waterway permitting, and mitigation; environmental site assessments and remedial design; air quality analysis; and noise analysis and abatement design.  Many NEPA opportunities are available to consulting soil scientists in support of this required process depending upon the soil scientist’s educational background and professional expertise.  Soil Science is a diverse profession that can directly involve or interface with pedology, edaphology, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and modeling, agriculture, horticulture, silviculture, soil conservation, soil erosion and sediment control, stormwater management, environmental science, natural resources, civil engineering, structural engineering, environmental engineering, geology, archaeology, geotechnical engineering, and planning.  This diversity of backgrounds and expertise is conducive to the support of NEPA and provides opportunities for the expanding practice of the soil science profession.