Each significant adverse effect and impact with proposed mitigation measures and alternatives that would reduce or avoid that effect or impact;

Areas of potential controversy identified in the pre-application TAC meeting; and
Issues to be resolved including the choice among alternatives and whether or how to mitigate the significant effects.
 

Project Description.
The description of the project shall contain the following information but shall not supply extensive detail beyond that needed for evaluation and review of the environmental impact:
 

The precise location and boundaries of the proposed development project. Such location and boundaries shall be shown on a detailed topographical map. The location of the project shall also appear on a regional map;

A statement of the objectives sought by the proposed development project. The statement of objectives should include the underlying purpose of the project; and

A general description of the project’s technical, economic, and environmental characteristics, considering the principal engineering proposals if any and supporting public service facilities.

Environmental Setting.
The EIR shall include a description of the physical environmental conditions in the vicinity of the project as they exist at the time the environmental analysis is commenced, from the County, area, community, regional, and state perspectives. This environmental setting will constitute the baseline physical conditions by which the County determines whether an adverse effect or impact is significant. Knowledge of the County and the regional setting is critical to the assessment of environmental impacts, and shall analyze environmental, archaeological, cultural, historic, habitat and scenic resources that are rare or unique to the County and region and would be affected by the project. The EIR shall demonstrate that the significant environmental effects and impacts of the proposed project were adequately investigated and discussed and it shall permit the significant adverse effects or impacts of the project to be considered in the full environmental context. A geotechnical investigation and report shall be required.

Significant Environmental Effects.
The EIR shall identify and focus on the significant environmental effects of the proposed development project. In assessing the impact of a proposed project on the environment, the EIR shall limit its examination to changes in the existing physical conditions in the affected areas as they exist at the time environmental analysis is commenced. Direct and indirect significant effects and impacts of the project on the environment shall be clearly identified and described, giving due consideration to both the short-term and long-term effects and impacts. The discussion shall include relevant specifics of the area, the resources involved, physical changes and alterations to soil conditions, water, environmentally sensitive lands and ecological systems, changes induced in the human use of the land, health and safety problems caused by physical changes, and other aspects of the resource base such as historical, cultural and archaeological resources, scenic vistas.

Significant Environmental Effects Which Cannot Be Avoided.
The EIR shall describe significant adverse effects and impacts, including those which can be mitigated but not reduced to a level of insignificance. Where there are effects and impacts that cannot be alleviated without an alternative design, their implications and the reasons why the development project is being proposed shall be described.

Significant Irreversible Environmental Changes.
Uses of nonrenewable resources during the initial and continued phases of the development project may be irreversible since a large commitment of such resources makes removal or non-use thereafter unlikely. Primary effects and impacts and, particularly, secondary effects and impacts (such as highway improvements required to provide access to a previously inaccessible area) generally commit future generations to similar uses. Irreversible damage can result from environmental and other accidents associated with the development project. Irretrievable commitments of resources should be evaluated to assure that such current consumption is justified. Applicant shall comply with all federal and New Mexico statutes and regulations regarding climate change.

Other Adverse Effects.
The EIR shall discuss other characteristics of the project which may significantly affect the environment, either individually or cumulatively. The EIR shall discuss the characteristics of the project which may decrease the area’s suitability for other uses, such as mixed use, industrial, residential, commercial, historical, cultural, archaeological, environmental, public and nonprofit facilities, eco-tourism or scenic uses.

See § 6.3.10 Mitigation Measures.
See § 6.3.11 Consideration and Discussion of Alternatives to the Proposed Project.

Organizations and Persons Consulted. The EIR shall identify all federal, state, or local agencies, tribal governments, or other organizations or entities, and any interested persons consulted in preparing the draft.

See § 6.3.13 Discussionof Cumulative Impacts.

Approved land use documents, including the SGMP and any applicable area, district or community plans, shall be used in cumulative impact analysis. A pertinent discussion of cumulative effects and impacts, contained in one or more previously certified final EIR development projects may be incorporated by reference.

See § 6.3: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (EIR) for complete, detailed information.