ABSTRACT
The environmental review process is designed to evaluate all effects (i.e., direct, indirect, and cumulative) and to develop mitigation strategies that eliminate, alleviate, or offset impacts. The evaluation process, however, can be short circuited. Projects can be implemented after an incomplete analysis, or in some cases the process can be waived altogether. In the latter, effects may never be evaluated, resulting in possible damage to the environment and possible future emergency mitigation methods that may be costly and inadequate.
