While the contents of NEPA reports are often complex and can take months or years to develop, the steps in the process of developing a NEPA document are always the same:

1. A project is proposed, for example a grazing permit renewal or a new dirt tank
   • This may be initiated by the agency, by you for a project on your allotment, or cooperatively with the agency
2. Initial evaluation to determine if the project will likely have environmental impacts
   • For common project types, there are agency policies that determine if further review is needed
3. If environmental impacts are likely, the agency prepares an Environmental Assessment
   • Most grazing permits and range improvements will require an Environmental Assessment
   • The public, including ranchers, can and should participate in the Environmental Assessment process
4. The NEPA process can now follow two different paths: A Finding of No Significant Impact and a final decision by the agency, or a more detailed Environmental Impact Statement.
   • For most grazing permit renewals and range improvements, the NEPA process ends with final decision based on the Environmental Assessment
5. If it is determined a project will have significant environmental impacts, a full Environmental Impact Statement is required. The steps in this process are detailed on the Full EIS Process page.