BLM COUNTDOWN, page-512

The choices for BLM last year were to issue a "Finding of No Significant Impact" (FONSI), which takes very little time, or an "Environmental Impact Statement," which explains at length -- many are more than 100 pages -- why an application is being approved or denied, either in whole or in part. So by now it's obvious that an EIS is what they have been diligently pursuing, perhaps while waiting for some court decisions like the ones from the Tucson copper mine. After all, they conceded that the Environmental Assessment was incomplete. It admitted that the impact on Native American traditions and religion was yet "to be determined." Whatever the bottom line, it will be written with a view to defending it in court, because a year or two of litigation is guaranteed. The CR funds won't be used to pay drillers; it will be needed to hire lawyers.