Section 327IAC11-3-6. "Significantly affecting the quality of the human environment" defined

   "Significantly affecting the quality of the human environment" means, in relation to a major state action, the following:

(1) An action that, when analyzed according to the context and intensity of the action, has an adverse, rather than beneficial, impact on the natural and physical environment and the relationship of people with that environment.

(2) Impacts may be direct, meaning they occur at the same time and place, or indirect, meaning the impacts caused by the action occur later in time or farther removed in distance, but are still reasonably foreseeable.

(3) The significance of an action may vary with the setting of the proposed action. Both short-term and long-term effects are relevant.

(4) The intensity of an action means the severity of the impact on the environment. Considerations include the following:

(A) The degree to which the proposed action affects human health or safety.

(B) Unique characteristics of the geographic area such as proximity to one (1) or more of the following:

(i) Historic or cultural resources.

(ii) Park lands.

(iii) Prime farmlands.

(iv) Wetlands.

(v) Karst areas.

(vi) Other ecologically critical areas, including the habitat of endangered or threatened species.

(C) The degree to which the action may cause loss, impairment, or destruction of significant:

(i) scientific;

(ii) cultural; or

(iii) historical;

resources.

(5) Significance cannot be avoided by terming an action temporary or breaking it down into several smaller component actions. Significance exists if it is reasonable to anticipate a cumulatively significant impact on the environment.

(Water Pollution Control Division; 327 IAC 11-3-6; filed Feb 9, 2010, 9:29 a.m.: 20100310-IR-327080210FRA; readopted filed Jun 6, 2016, 11:50 a.m.: 20160706-IR-327160141BFA)