The Ambassador Niagara Signature Bridge Project has begun preliminary consultation with both regulatory agencies and the public as part of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) environmental review process that we expect to undertake. The formal scoping process will begin following designation of the United States Department of State as Lead Agency.

Prior to this designation, the Ambassador Niagara Signature Bridge Group must submit a Presidential Permit that includes a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA). The regulatory purpose of the Presidential Permit is stated in Executive Order 11423 of August 16, 1968 (33 Fed. Reg. 11741), "The proper conduct of the foreign relations of the United States requires that executive permission be obtained for the construction and maintenance of facilities connecting the United States with a foreign country." Permits are required for facilities that span the international border, classified as inter alia, bridges, pipelines, tunnels, conveyor belts, and tramways. The agency that issues the Presidential Permit must find that the project serves national interest.

This Draft EA, by law, must comply with NEPA, the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA), and Executive Order 12898 of February 11, 1994, preserving environmental justice. This Draft EA will form the foundation of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) that will be developed for public review and comment.