NEPA Draft Guidance....Revising Categorical Exclusions...

[NAEPC]

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Draft Guidance, Establishing, Applying, and Revising Categorical Exclusions Under the National Environmental Policy Act
AGENCY: Council on Environmental Quality.
ACTION: Notice of Availability, Draft Guidance, ``Establishing, Applying, and Revising Categorical Exclusions Under the National Environmental Policy Act.''
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SUMMARY: On February 18, 2010, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) announced four steps to modernize, reinvigorate, and ease the use and increase the transparency of implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Enacted in 1970, NEPA is a fundamental tool used to harmonize our economic, environmental, and social aspirations and is a cornerstone of our Nation's efforts to protect the environment. NEPA recognizes that many Federal activities affect the environment and mandates that Federal agencies consider the environmental impacts of their proposed actions before acting.

Additionally, NEPA emphasizes public involvement in government actions affecting the environment by requiring that the benefits and the risks associated with proposed actions be assessed and publicly disclosed. CEQ, which is charged with implementing NEPA, recognizes that it is a visionary and versatile law that can be used effectively to address
new environmental challenges facing our Nation and also to engage the public widely and effectively. Furthermore, CEQ wants to develop more effective and accessible tools for citizen involvement in government decision-making. These actions are designed to provide carefully-tailored new assessment and reporting requirements, facilitate agency compliance with NEPA, and enhance the quality of public involvement in governmental decisions relating to the environment.

Comments due by: April 9, 2010.

For full text of notice visit: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-3531.htm