Case Study and Analysis of Environmental Impact Assessment in the United States of America and Formulation of Reference Manual Environmental assessment practices originated from National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 in the United States of America is a meaningful reference. Environmental protection is the ultimate goal despite distinctive differences of administrative and legislative processes between the two nations. During the period from February to December in 2012, the study synthesizes how the United States operates environmental impact assessment, accomplishing following matters: (A) Collection reference materials and books, (B) Analysis of U.S. environmental impact assessment related acts and rules and regulations, (C) Compilation of U.S. environmental impact assessment process, and illustration of whether a proposed action is determined as a categorical exclusion (CE), environmental assessment (EA), or environmental impact statement (EIS), (D) Case study of the process to commission a third party contractor, (E) Formulation of “Reference Manual of Environmental Impact Assessment Practices in the United States.” (F) Two seminars were arranged in late November, one in central region and the other in northern Taiwan, with participants from central and local governments, as well as planning consultants in private sector, to discuss differences of environmental impact assessments between the two nations.

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS);Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI);Categorical Exclusion (CE)