This final Programmatic EIS is prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to assess the environmental impacts of NOAA's proposed action to fund or otherwise implement coastal habitat restoration activities through its existing programmatic framework and related procedures. Projects implemented by NOAA vary in terms of their size, complexity, geographic location, and NOAA involvement, and they often benefit a wide range of habitat types and affect a number of different species. Fish passage, hydrologic/tidal reconnection, shellfish restoration, coral recovery, salt marsh and barrier island restoration, erosion prevention, debris removal, and invasive species removal, are among the project types implemented by NOAA through its various programs. Impacts from two alternatives are described. The preferred alternative is a current management, or "no action," alternative. The second alternative consists of providing technical assistance only.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)