The Public Comment Process: Tips & How-Tos
Written by Alexi Lovechio on May 25th, 2023
The public comment process started with the passing of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in 1970. NEPA aimed to make federal decision-making about environmental issues more transparent and as a way for the public to engage in this process.
NEPA requires federal agencies to prepare environmental assessments (EA) and environmental impact statements (EIS) to assess the impact that their actions will have on people and the environment. It ruled that before approving “major federal actions” that “significantly impact the environment”, federal agencies must take a hard look at environmental consequences and consider alternatives. Projects include dams, timber sales, and highways—anything that involves a federal agency, federal funding, or federal permission.
Federal agencies such as the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management are legally required to consider public opinion (though not required to change the project to address opinions). However, the idea behind NEPA is that ensuring a good process will lead to better environmental outcomes.
When you or your community join the decision-making process through contributing substantive public comments, you have the opportunity to influence the actions of the agency involved. Since its inception, the public has used NEPA as the guiding document for defending forests, wildlife and waterways.
The process
Agencies announce project plans through a Scoping Letter, a general letter where the agency describes the project and asks for initial public comment.
The agency then develops either an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement and releases it for another round of public comment.
After you submit your comments, the agency releases a decision document. Comments can be submitted by mail or electronically.
Federal Land Project Tracking Tips
Ask your local USFS or BLM office to add your name to the “scoping mailing list”.
For Forest Service projects, check out the Schedule of Proposed Actions website to track and monitor plans.
For BLM projects, use the project name or the resource area you are interested in to track and monitor plans here.
Click here for more information on the NEPA process.
Comment Writing Tips
Your comments can be as long or as short as you want.
Make it personal. Tell the agencies why you care and how this project will benefit/affect your community.
Question the accuracy of the information presented, present new information relevant to the future analysis, and contain information which could cause changes or revisions to the project.
Be specific. Clearly discuss the topics/issues you want to see addressed in the project.
How to Submit Comments
Each agency will use a different comment submission portal. The scoping letter, EA, or EIS will include information about how to submit your comments electronically or by mail.
NEPA requires federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of their proposed actions prior to making decisions. This framework allows the public to engage with agency projects and allows community members to have their voices and concerns heard. Protections for clean water, healthy forests, and habitat for wildlife are made possible because individuals like you have spoken up.
Take Action Now!
Take Action Now!
Ready to put your new comment skills to action?
In response to the President’s mature and old-growth Executive Order, both the Forest Service and BLM have announced a proposed pathway for protecting our remaining ancient forests once and for all. This process has the potential to be the biggest piece of conservation policy in decades, but we need your help to get there. The agencies are taking public comments, giving forest and climate advocates — THAT MEANS YOU! — a once-in-a-generation opportunity to call for permanent protections for federal mature and old-growth forests from logging. We have until June 20th to speak for these trees.
To learn more about the NEPA process and how to become involved with local projects, contact alexi@kswild.org.