1. (1) “Action” means any activity, initiated by the department or initiated by someone outside state government, which could not have occurred but for the department and which may affect the human environment.
2. (2) “Alternatives” means other actions or activities which may be reasonably available to achieve the same or altered purpose of the proposed action, including the alternative of no action.
3. (3) “Department” means the department of administration.
4. (4) “EA” or “environmental assessment” means a documented brief but comprehensive analysis of a proposed Type II action to determine its environmental impact; to study, develop, and thoroughly describe alternatives; and to determine whether the proposed action constitutes a major state action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment or involving unresolved conflicts in the use of available resources.
5. (5) “EIS” or “environmental impact statement” means a written report prepared pursuant to s. 1.11, Stats., which contains an analysis of anticipated impacts of a proposed action, and alternatives to the proposed action, upon the human environment. The draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) is a preliminary version of the final environmental impact statement (FEIS).
6. (6) “Finding of no significant impact” means a completed environmental assessment which indicates that the proposed action is not a major action which will significantly affect the quality of the human environment and that no EIS is required.
7. (7) “Human environment” means the totality of conditions and influences, both natural and artificial, which surround and affect all organisms, including people.
8. (8) “Major action” means an action which will significantly affect the quality of the human environment.
9. (9) “Resources” means financial, cultural and natural matter and forms as well as labor and materials used and affected by a proposed action if permitted.
10. (10) “Significant effects” means the considerable and important impacts, beneficial or adverse, of actions on the quality of the human environment.

History

History: Cr. Register, February, 1982, No. 314, eff. 3-1-82.