Definition
A formal document issued by a federal agency at the conclusion of an environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), stating the agency's final decision on a proposed action, the alternatives considered, and the mitigation measures adopted. In aviation, a Record of Decision is most often issued by the FAA following an Environmental Impact Statement for projects such as new runways, airport expansions, or significant changes to airspace and flight procedures.
Plain English
An official paper that states what the FAA (or another federal agency) has decided to do about a major project after studying its environmental effects. It explains the choice, why it was made, and what will be done to reduce harm.
Context Anchor
You may see ROD in FAA airport planning, environmental, or project approval documents, rather than in normal cockpit procedures.
Why Pilots Care
It determines whether proposed changes that affect airports, runways, or flight procedures will actually be built or implemented.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as just any note about a decision. In this context, a record of decision is a formal government document that completes a specific review process.
Example Sentence 1
The FAA issued a Record of Decision approving the new parallel runway after completing the environmental impact review.
Example Sentence 2
Pilots checked the record of decision to confirm the airspace procedure changes would proceed as planned.