In order to support self-resilience and to safeguard human health and the environment, USAID seeks to systematically address the environmental risks associated with its initiatives. The process of assessing these risks is called Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which USAID implements in accordance with its environmental procedures contained in 22 CFR 216 (referred to as Reg. 216) and USAID Automated Directives System, Chapter 204 (ADS 204). EIA is also commonly known as the Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) process.

The IEE process requires the development and approval of certain environmental documents, as well as the appropriate management of required documents and records. To facilitate this process, USAID has developed a set of Global Templates, which are publicly available on the USAID Environmental Procedures Hub. Some of the available templates include, but are not limited to:

• IEE Document: Used to justify and document Threshold Decisions (e.g., Negative or Positive Determinations) for one or more proposed actions.
• Request for Categorical Exclusion (RCE): Used when all proposed actions are eligible for Categorical Exclusion per 22 CFR 216.2(c). 
• Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (EMMP): Used to document indicators/criteria for monitoring the implementation and effectiveness of mitigation measures and establish timing and responsible parties.

To streamline processes and better align with other Bureaus and Missions, the Bureau for Global Health (GH) plans to transition to the use of USAID’s Global Templates for the Reg. 216 process at the start of the next calendar year. In the interim, stakeholders may continue to use the GH Templates, but it is recommended that any new documents developed during the remainder of 2019 use the Global Templates.

Use of the Global Templates will become mandatory
for GH mechanisms beginning 1 January 2020.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact: ghcompliancesupport@usaid.gov.