Indirect And Cumulative Effects (ICE) Analysis

The implementing regulations for NEPA [CEQ regulations (40CFR -- 1500 -1508)] require federal agencies to consider the effects of their actions, including direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts. Indirect effects are defined as those caused by the proposed action and are later in time or farther removed in distance but are still reasonably foreseeable. Cumulative impact is the impact on the environment which results from the incremental impact of the proposed action when added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions.

Skelly and Loy has conducted multiple ICE analyses as part of NEPA studies. Our experience includes a wide range of geographic areas including rural and urban project areas and encompassing communities experiencing stagnated economic growth in addition to those feeling development pressures related to thriving economies and population growth.

Skelly and Loy's staff is adept at defining the geographic area affected by a project, coordinating with local planning agencies and developers to delineate past, present, and reasonably foreseeable development actions, and identifying resources that may be affected. Our staff uses cost-effective GIS tools and web-based resource databases to conduct the ICE analyses and determine the potential for significant effects. We have participated in the development of multiple local comprehensive plans to be used to mitigate the effects of planned actions that were determined to have potential for significant indirect and/or cumulative effects as a result of a federal action/project, including two large interstate construction projects servicing rural areas of Pennsylvania.

Subservices: