NEPA Resources

The National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) is a procedural statute requiring Federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of their proposed actions prior to making RFSI subaward decisions.

The resources located on this page will assist RFSI applicants and states with understanding NEPA, federal environmental regulations, and other laws/statutes that may apply to the RFSI program.

• Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for AMS Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Cooperative Agreement Program (pdf)

NEPA Forms

• Applicant Environmental Questionnaire (pdf) - The Applicant Environmental Questionnaire can be used by States/Territories to obtain project information and details from subaward applicants.
• AMS ENV-A: Environmental Pre-Screening Worksheet (pdf) - The AMS-ENV-A, Environmental Pre-Screening Worksheet will be used by the State/Territory to review all RFSI subaward projects.
• AMS ENV-B: Environmental Screening Worksheet (pdf) - The AMS-ENV-B, Environmental Screening Worksheet will be used by States/Territory when necessary to complete an environmental review of a project.

Resources

• AMS Workflow RFSI Program (pdf)– A visual diagram of the process for evaluating project for compliance with the PEA using the NEPA forms.
• Environmental Resource List Handout (pdf) - The Resource Document for Completing Environmental Screening is a guide for States/Territories to utilize in conducting RFSI subaward environmental reviews.
• RFSI THPO Consultation Template (docx) - The THPO Consultation template will be used by States/Territories when a Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) needs to be consulted about a subaward project. The State/Territory will complete the template and send it to AMS(lara.s.shockey@usda.gov) for signature. Once signed by AMS, the State/Territory will forward the consultation letter to the appropriate THPO.

Training Recordings

• Self-guided NEPA training - This video, developed by USDA AMS, provides guidance to State Recipients for preparing environmental reviews of Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) subaward project proposals. Guidance provided is applicable to the RFSI Program.
• January 24, 2024 - RFSI Environmental Compliance Awareness Training Presentation (pdf) - The RFSI Environmental Compliance Awareness Training presentation that took place in January 2024.
• RFSI Environmental Advanced Compliance Training Presentation - March 2024 (pdf)- The RFSI Environmental Advanced Compliance Training presentation that took place in March 2024.