Results are derived from an online survey of 489 different IDTLs
of 489 different NEPA projects. The sample distribution across
administrative regions, project type, and Environmental Impact
Statements (EISs) versus Environmental Assessments (EAs), reflects
the diversity of the overall population of 1724 NEPA processes
completed during the time period of the study (see Stern and
Predmore, 2011). By contacting the “project managers” of all 1724
NEPA processes completed between January 1, 2007 and December
18, 2009 listed in the U.S. Forest Service Planning, Appeals, and
Litigation (PALS) database, we were able to identify 653 unique
IDTLs that were responsible for 993 separate NEPA processes. To
avoid having multiple surveys filled out by the same person, we
limited the sample using set criteria. When a choice had to be made
concerning which NEPA process should be surveyed for a given
IDTL who served on more than one team, we gave first preference
to EISs over EAs, because the former were rarer in our sample.
Second, we selected the project that was most recently completed.
After selecting NEPA processes using these criteria, our sample
consisted of 653 NEPA processes (436 EAs) that were led by 653
different IDTLs. The response rate among IDTLswas 75%. For further
details on sampling see Stern and Predmore (2011).