Definition
A formal document, prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), that examines whether a proposed federal action — such as building a new runway, changing an instrument procedure, or modifying airspace — would have significant environmental effects. The EA either concludes with a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) or determines that a more detailed Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required.
Plain English
A study the FAA or another agency does before changing something at an airport or in the airspace, to check whether it will harm the environment. If no major harm is found, the project can move ahead. If there might be major harm, a bigger study is required.
Context Anchor
Seen in FAA, airport planning, airspace, and airport construction documents, especially when a project may affect the area around an airport.
Derivation
From Latin 'assessare', meaning 'to evaluate or judge'. An environmental assessment is literally an evaluation of environmental effects — a check before action, not a final judgment.
Why Pilots Care
EAs often precede changes that directly affect pilots: new approach procedures, runway extensions, airspace redesigns, or noise-abatement requirements. Knowing the term helps when reading airport master plans or comment notices.
Intuition Check
Do not read environmental assessment as a casual opinion about whether something is good for nature. In this FAA context, it means a formal review of possible environmental effects before a proposed action moves forward.
Example Sentence 1
The FAA published an EA for the proposed runway extension and concluded with a Finding of No Significant Impact.
Example Sentence 2
Pilots reviewed the EA findings posted at the terminal to understand upcoming runway changes.