In August 2006, SRI International’s Envirotechnical Program prepared the Phase 1 review of regulatory requirements for the National Science Foundation (NSF) Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI), a global-scale sensor deployment program. The review considered established NSF processes and procedures for compliance under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); Executive Order 12114, Environmental Effects of Major Federal Actions Abroad; the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA); and other regulations.

OOI is part of the Ocean Research Interactive Observatory Networks (ORION) program funded by NSF and lead by the Joint Oceanographic Institutions (JOI). OOI will provide an interactive, globally distributed and integrated ocean observatory network to study complex, interlinked ocean processes. This novel approach, which uses in situ cabled and buoyed arrays of sensors and real-time data, will augment traditional shipboard expeditionary research. The three major OOI elements will cover coastal, regional, and global spatial scales.

NEPA requires lead agencies to consider the environmental impacts of major federal actions. NSF policy regarding NEPA is found in 45 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) §640 and supplemental Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations published in 40 CFR §§1500–1508. NEPA analysis for OOI warrants a Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA), and possibly an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Research and supporting documentation for PEA will conclude that either a Finding of No Significant Impact (FNSI) is supported, or that preparation of an EIS is necessary. SRI identified the range of resource topics and prospective impact areas to be evaluated under NEPA and E.O. 12114, including the anticipated effort and timeline for achieving completion of each level of documentation.

SRI has broad experience evaluating the potential effects of new technologies on the human environment, and has a long history supporting NSF directorates. SRI provided evaluation of ultrasound technologies for the Biological Sciences Directorate and analysis of radar array deployment at Sondrestrom, Greenland, for the Geosciences Directorate. Other NSF programs supported by SRI include the Computer and Information Sciences Directorate and the Education and Human Resources Directorate.