Environmental assessment refers to the formal process used to predict the positive and negative consequences of a plan, policy, program, or project prior to the decision to move forward with the proposed action. An impact assessment may propose measures to modify impacts to acceptable levels or to investigate new technological solutions. The International Association of Impact Assessment defines environmental assessment as the process of identifying, predicting, evaluating, and mitigating the biophysical, social, and other effects of development proposals before major decisions and commitments are made. Environmental assessments do not require compliance to a scheduled environmental outcome, but rather they require managers to account for environmental values in their decisions and to justify them in light of detailed environmental studies and public comments on the potential ...