Legal Definitions - major action

In environmental law, a major action refers to any project, activity, or undertaking that has the potential to cause a significant impact on the natural environment. Because of this potential for substantial environmental change, such actions typically require a thorough review process, often called an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. This assessment helps to identify, evaluate, and mitigate any adverse effects before the project can proceed, as mandated by various state laws and federal legislation like the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Here are some examples illustrating what constitutes a major action:

• Construction of a New Interstate Highway:

  Scenario: A state transportation department proposes building a new multi-lane interstate highway that would traverse several miles of undeveloped forest, cross a significant river, and require the filling of several acres of wetlands.

  Explanation: This project is a major action because its construction would involve extensive land clearing, alteration of natural habitats, potential disruption of aquatic ecosystems, and increased noise and air pollution. These are all significant environmental impacts that would necessitate a comprehensive environmental assessment to study the potential harm, evaluate alternative routes, and develop strategies to minimize ecological damage.

• Development of a Large-Scale Mining Operation:

  Scenario: A mining company plans to open a new open-pit mine covering hundreds of acres in a remote mountainous region, which involves removing large quantities of earth, constructing processing facilities, and creating waste rock piles.

  Explanation: This undertaking qualifies as a major action due to the profound and lasting environmental changes it would cause. The mining process can lead to deforestation, soil erosion, water contamination from runoff, habitat destruction for local wildlife, and significant alteration of the landscape. An environmental assessment would be crucial to analyze these impacts, assess risks to water quality and biodiversity, and outline reclamation plans for the site.

• Expansion of a Major Seaport:

  Scenario: A port authority intends to expand its facilities by dredging a deeper shipping channel, constructing new cargo terminals, and reclaiming land from a coastal estuary that serves as a critical nursery ground for marine life.

  Explanation: This project is considered a major action because it has the potential for significant environmental consequences on a sensitive marine ecosystem. Dredging can disturb benthic habitats and release contaminants, while land reclamation directly destroys wetlands and shallow-water areas vital for fish and bird species. An environmental assessment would be required to evaluate the impacts on marine biodiversity, water quality, and coastal processes, and to propose measures to mitigate these effects.