What We Do

The Division's Branches work collaboratively to support National Park System units by assisting in resource management planning efforts, coordinating spill response activities, helping in damage assessment and restoration of injured park resources, providing social science expertise, and managing reviews of other federal agency actions that may impact park resources.

Environmental Planning and Compliance Branch

Provides:

• Funding and project management for complex and nationally important National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) planning efforts.

• Guidance, technical assistance, and training on NEPA and other planning and compliance matters.

Resource Protection Branch

Provides:

• Assistance for preparedness and response activities related to oil spills, hazardous material releases, and other incidents.

• Assistance in assessing injured resources and determining damages.

• Management assistance for restoration planning and implementation following resource injuries.

• Economic support for damage assessments, rulemakings, environmental analysis, and other special projects.

Social Science Branch

Provides:

• Promotes state-of-the-art social science related to the mission of the NPS.

• Delivers usable knowledge to NPS managers and the public through the Visitor Service Project, Public Use Statistics Office, Visitor Spending Effects, NPS Comprehensive Survey of the American Public, and other initiatives.

Environmental Information Management Branch

Provides:

• Provides servicewide information technology tools and process coordination to facilitate NPS NEPA activities through two major components:

• Planning Environment and Public Comment (PEPC): Provides information technology tools that support efficient park planning, resource compliance processes, project tracking and public comment.

• Environmental Review: Coordinates reviews of actions proposed by other agencies that may affect NPS resources or programs.