[Title 40 CFR 1501.4]
[Code of Federal Regulations (annual edition) - July 1, 2002 Edition]
[Title 40 - PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT]
[Chapter V - COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY]
[Part 1501 - NEPA AND AGENCY PLANNING]
[Sec. 1501.4 - Whether to prepare an environmental impact statement.]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]


40PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT282002-07-012002-07-01false1501.4Sec. 1501.4PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENTCOUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITYNEPA AND AGENCY PLANNING
Sec. 1501.4  Whether to prepare an environmental impact statement.

    In determining whether to prepare an environmental impact statement 
the Federal agency shall:
    (a) Determine under its procedures supplementing these regulations 
(described in Sec. 1507.3) whether the proposal is one which:
    (1) Normally requires an environmental impact statement, or
    (2) Normally does not require either an environmental impact 
statement or an environmental assessment (categorical exclusion).
    (b) If the proposed action is not covered by paragraph (a) of this 
section, prepare an environmental assessment (Sec. 1508.9). The agency 
shall involve environmental agencies, applicants, and the public, to the 
extent practicable, in preparing assessments required by 
Sec. 1508.9(a)(1).
    (c) Based on the environmental assessment make its determination 
whether to prepare an environmental impact statement.
    (d) Commence the scoping process (Sec. 1501.7), if the agency will 
prepare an environmental impact statement.
    (e) Prepare a finding of no significant impact (Sec. 1508.13), if 
the agency determines on the basis of the environmental assessment not 
to prepare a statement.
    (1) The agency shall make the finding of no significant impact 
available to the affected public as specified in Sec. 1506.6.
    (2) In certain limited circumstances, which the agency may cover in 
its procedures under Sec. 1507.3, the agency shall make the finding of 
no significant impact available for public review (including State and 
areawide clearinghouses) for 30 days before the agency makes its final 
determination whether to prepare an environmental impact statement and 
before the action may begin. The circumstances are:

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    (i) The proposed action is, or is closely similar to, one which 
normally requires the preparation of an environmental impact statement 
under the procedures adopted by the agency pursuant to Sec. 1507.3, or
    (ii) The nature of the proposed action is one without precedent.