Glossary
Glossary of Terms
- National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
- The allowable concentrations of pollutants in the air as specified by the federal government. The air quality standards are divided into primary standards (based on the air quality criteria and allowing an adequate margin of safety required to protect the public health) and secondary standards (based on the air quality criteria and allowing an adequate margin of safety and requisite to protect the public welfare) from any unknown or expected adverse effects of air pollutants.
- National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)
- The national charter for protecting the environment. NEPA establishes policy, sets goals, and provides means for carrying out the policy. Regulations from 40 CFR 1500–1508 implement the act.
- National Forest Management Act (NFMA)
- A law passed in 1976 that amends the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act and requires the preparation of forest plans.
- National Register of Historic Places (National Register, NRHP)
- A listing of architectural, historical, archeological, and cultural sites of local, state, or national significance. The list of sites was established by the Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and is maintained by the National Park Service.
- NEPA
- National Environmental Policy Act
- NFS
- National Forest System
- No-Action Alternative
- The most likely condition expected to exist in the future if current management direction would continue unchanged.
- NOA
- Notice of Availability
- Notice of Intent (NOI)
- A notice published in the Federal Register to announce the intent to prepare an EIS.
- Noxious Weed
- An undesirable weed species that can crowd out desirable species.
n