Environmental Impact Reports
Welcome to Environmental Health & Safety's Environmental Impact Report (EIR) informational website at the University of Virginia. This page is intended to assist project managers in understanding the requirements for completing EIRs for construction projects at State-owned facilities. Without a signed letter from the Governor's office verifying that the EIR has been completed and approved, funds cannot legally be released to begin construction.
The construction of the John Paul Jones Arena.
The purpose of an EIR is to:
- Assess the general potential environmental effects of the proposed project thus potentially allowing the University to avoid unforeseen construction costs associated with environmental impacts,
- Ensure that the appropriate local, state, and federal agencies are aware of the project and thus can comment on or request changes in the project to protect the environment,
- Ensure the internal UVA environmental policies are followed,
- Ensure that new facilities are compliant with the State's environmental and pollution prevention policies, and
- Provide for an internal UVA environmental evaluation of the project by the Architect’s office, the Director of Facilities Management, and other key UVA staff.
The EIR process is a vital, but easily overlooked part of any University construction project. Once the completed EIR is submitted to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), by law, the DEQ is entitled to a 60-day review period, thus, it is imperative for project managers to request that an EIR be submitted for their project long before they intend to break ground. This website provides all of the information that a project manager will need to get the EIR for their project submitted accurately and in a timely fashion.
If you have any questions regarding Environmental Impact Reports, requirements, or the EIR website, please contact Jeff Sitler at js2zf@virginia.edu, 982-4901, or Jess Wenger at jsw6d@virginia.edu, 982-5540.
