Writing Effective Comments to Keep Our Trails Open Training

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) plays a pivotal role by requiring federal agencies to assess the impact of their proposed actions. One crucial aspect of the NEPA process is the public comment period, during which concerned individuals and organizations can provide feedback on proposed projects. Writing effective comments is a critical step in preserving access for all users to our public lands. UPLA together with BlueRibbon Coalition and Salt Lake Offroad Expo (SLOREX) are partnering to bring you a training seminar on how to write effective comments in NEPA actions.

Understanding NEPA and Public Participation: NEPA, enacted in 1970, aims to integrate environmental considerations into federal decision-making processes. It mandates that federal agencies assess the environmental impact of proposed projects and involve the public in the decision-making process. Public participation is a cornerstone of NEPA, as it recognizes the diverse perspectives and expertise that the public can bring to the table.

The Importance of Effective Comments: Effective comments play a vital role in influencing the outcome of NEPA actions. Agencies are required to consider and respond to substantive comments during the decision-making process, making it crucial for comments to be well-reasoned, fact-based, and relevant to the environmental analysis. Well-crafted comments can highlight potential environmental concerns, propose alternatives, and contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the project’s impact.

Challenges in Comment Writing: Despite the importance of public participation, many individuals and organizations face challenges in writing effective comments for NEPA actions. Common issues include a lack of understanding of the NEPA process, technical complexities in project documentation, and difficulties in navigating regulatory language. As a result, comments may not effectively convey concerns, suggestions, or alternative solutions.

The Solution: UPLA, BlueRibbon, and SLOREX will be offering free training at the Mountain America Expo Center on February 29, the day before SLOREX opens. The session will be recorded and professionally edited as a valuable online resource we can use in the future.

Save the Date for now and Watch for more information about attending the session.