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The typography of environmental impact statements: Criteria, evaluation, and public participation

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Abstract

Guidelines for implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act state that environmental impact statements (EISs) shall use “appropriate graphics.” We examined one component of graphics, typography, identifying applicable criteria from the literature and applying them to 150 EISs prepared by seven agencies. We found that the EISs ranged widely in typographic quality. The average EIS met fewer than seven of ten criteria; 12% were considered unreadable. The results suggest that weak typography may seriously limit public review of EISs. Agencies are encouraged to make typography a serious component of their public participation programs.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Business and Public Administration, University of Alaska, 99801, Juneau, Alaska

    Thomas J. Gallagher

  2. School of Agriculture and Land Resource Management, University of Alaska, 99775, Fairbanks, Alaska

    Wendy S. Jacobson

Authors
  1. Thomas J. Gallagher
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  2. Wendy S. Jacobson
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Gallagher, T.J., Jacobson, W.S. The typography of environmental impact statements: Criteria, evaluation, and public participation. Environmental Management 17, 99–109 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02393798

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