Cumulative Impact Assessment: Issues to Consider in Selecting a Cumulative Assessment Method

Because widespread interest in the subject is new, there are no standard or generally recognized methods for cumulative impact assessment. A method should include procedures for (1) evaluating the combined effects of more than one action, (2) evaluating nonadditive, as well as additive, relationships between projects, (3) assessing the combined indirect effect of projects on fish and wildlife populations, in addition to direct effects on the physical environment and fish and wildlife habitats, and (4) assessing any of the 16 types of impacts to 40 species of fish and wildlife.