Mitigation

Mitigation means measures that avoid, minimize, or compensate for adverse effects caused by a proposed action or alternatives as described in an environmental document or record of decision and that have a connection to those adverse effects. Mitigation includes, in general order of priority:
(1) Avoiding the adverse effect altogether by not taking a certain action or parts of an action.
(2) Minimizing the adverse effect by limiting the degree or magnitude of the action and its implementation.
(3) Rectifying the adverse effect by repairing, rehabilitating, or restoring the affected environment.
(4) Reducing or eliminating the adverse effect over time by preservation and maintenance operations during the life of the action.
(5) Compensating for the adverse effect by replacing or providing substitute resources or environments.

Source

40 CFR § 1508.1

Scoping language

The following definitions apply to the regulations in this subchapter. Federal agencies shall use these terms uniformly throughout the Federal Government.