NASA Procedures and Guidelines
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NPR 8580.1 Eff. Date: November 26, 2001 Cancellation Date:	Implementing The National Environmental Policy Act And Executive Order 12114
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APPENDIX B. Glossary/Definitions

Council on Environmental Quality

The President's Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) was established by the enactment of NEPA. The CEQ was charged with developing regulations to be followed by all Federal agencies in developing and implementing their own specific NEPA implementation policies and procedures.

environmental evaluation

An environmental evaluation is the analysis of the environmental effects of proposed actions, including alternative proposals. The analyses are carried out from the very earliest of planning studies for the action in question and are the materials from which the more formal environmental assessments, environmental impact statements, and public record of decisions are made.

Environmental Management Office

Each NASA Center and Component Facilities have an Environmental Management Office (EMO) which is usually delegated the responsibility for implementing NEPA. The EMO may have a different designation. EMO's perform the working level functions of the NEPA process.

exceptional action EA

An exception action environmental assessment (EA) addresses an action that is closely similar to one that normally requires an EIS, but it is unclear an EIS is required; or is national in scope (i.e., multi-centered with environmental impacts at two or more NASA Centers, Component Facilities, or geographic locations), subject to national environmental controversy; or may require a mitigative FONSI.

Headquarters Environmental Management Division

The Headquarters Environmental Management Division (HQ/EMD) assists the Assistant Administrator for Institutional and Corporate Management in implementing assigned environmental management duties and responsibilities for NEPA functions. HQ/EMD is available for consultation and nonlegal advice to other NASA entities for implementing assigned environmental responsibilities under NEPA.

Human Space Flight (HSF)

Human Space Flight (HSF), which encompasses activities similar in scope to SAT activities but which are primarily focused on human space flight. Examples include the national fleet of Space Shuttle Orbiters, the main engines, launch sites, mission operations, initial spares, production tooling and supporting activities, launch operations, and tracking and data acquisition.

Mission support (MS)

Mission support (MS) includes four subcategories: (1) Research and Program management (Personnel and related costs, Travel and Research Operations Support); (2) Construction of Facilities (Discrete projects, minor revitalization and construction, facility planning and design, and environmental compliance); (3) Safety, Reliability and Quality Assurance; and (4) Space Communication Services.

mitigative FONSI

A mitigative Finding Of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is directly linked to an EA in which mitigative measures are incorporated to avoid substantial environmental impacts or to reduce impacts, individually or cumulatively, to a non-significant level.

NASA facility

NASA facility is defined to include NASA Headquarters, NASA Centers, and their Component Facilities.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et. seq.)

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended sets the Nation's policy and goals for protection and enhancement of the environment, and is a procedural statute for application by all Federal agencies. NEPA also established the President's Council on Environmental Quality.

national scope

National scope is defined as being multicentered, involving environmental impacts occurring at two or more NASA Centers (including NASA HQ), Component Facilities or geographic locations.

public

The public is defined as individuals (i.e., public citizens), community and private organizations, and environmental interest groups.

Science, Aeronautics, and Technology (SAT)

Science, Aeronautics, and Technology (SAT), which encompasses research and development activities directed towards attaining the objectives of a specific mission, project, or program. This category includes NASA aeronautics and space program elements, such as the development of new propulsion systems, spacecraft development and operations, flight projects, science instrument development and operations, and space transportation systems.

Sponsoring Entity

Sponsoring Entities, for purposes of this NPR, include NASA Headquarters, NASA Centers (including Component Facilities), Strategic Enterprises, Program and Staff Offices. In the case of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the Sponsoring Entity shall be deemed to be the NASA Headquarters Office of Space Science (OSS). NASA OSS personnel may call upon and utilize the technical resources available through the JPL operating contractor.

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