This Guide provides a brief description of how our environmental laws protect you and your community and an overview of the role of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) in assuring that these laws are administered properly and fairly. It also provides general information about the procedures the EAB follows in making decisions. It is intended principally for citizens without formal legal training who are involved in matters pending before the EAB. If you find yourself involved in a legal matter before the EAB, or would like to participate in a legal matter pending before the EAB, this booklet can answer some of your questions about the EAB and direct you to sources of more detailed information. This Guide only provides general guidance about the EAB and its procedures. For you to be able to participate effectively in an EAB legal proceeding, reading the specific statutes and regulations that apply to your case is a must, as is consulting the EAB's Practice Manual (June 2004), which contains additional information about EAB procedures and model forms for appeal documents.