[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 208 (Wednesday, October 28, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 57664]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-28801]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No. 980817219-8219-01]
RIN 0648-AL58


Revised NOAA Procedures Implementing the National Environmental 
Policy Act

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of Availability; proposed revised environmental review 
procedures for NOAA.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of proposed revised 
environmental review procedures for implementing the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) within the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration. The proposed revisions will update the 
agency's procedures published in 1984, based on changing Agency 
direction, laws, and public concerns. The revisions reflect new 
initiatives and mandates for NOAA, particularly involving the Magnuson-
Stevens Act, Endangered Species Act, and Marine Mammal Protection Act. 
The revisions provide information on preparing NEPA documents and 
streamlining of NEPA and other analyses or documents within NOAA.

DATES: Comments must be received no later than December 14, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to: Susan Fruchter, Acting NEPA 
Coordinator, Office of Policy and Strategic Planning, National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration, Room 5805. Herbert C. Hoover Building, 
Department of Commerce, Washington, DC, 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Archambault or Ramona Schreiber, 
Office of Policy and Strategic Planning, 202-482-5181. A copy of the 
proposed revised NOAA Administrative Order (NAO) 216-6 is available 
from the above contact or via the Internet at: http://www.rdc.noaa.gov/
foia/adrian.html under ``Policies and Administrative 
Manuals that Affect the Public''; ``Notices, Proposed Rules and Final 
Rules''.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NOAA's existing environmental review 
procedures for implementing NEPA appear in NAO 216-6. These procedures 
are consistent with the Council on Environmental Quality's regulations 
for implementing NEPA. These procedures were last revised in 1991. A 
copy of that version is available at http://www.rdc.noaa.gov/
nao/216-6.html.
    The proposed revisions are administrative and procedural 
improvements intended to enhance NOAA's ability to comply with a 
variety of legislative mandates and Executive Orders without 
unnecessarily delaying and duplicating steps in the decisionmaking 
process while ensuring public involvement in decisionmaking. These 
improvements will result in a better understanding of agency roles and 
responsibilities relative to NEPA.
    Notable changes in this version of NAO-216-6 include: 
reorganization of the document such that users can review the general 
requirements for preparing NEPA documents, as well as specific guidance 
on NEPA requirements for particular programs and activities within 
NOAA; incorporation of new policies and procedures to streamline and 
improve NOAA's NEPA compliance; specific guidance for NOAA's NEPA 
responsibilities under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, Endangered Species 
Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and Oil Pollution Act; and 
incorporation of NOAA's requirements under E.O. 12898 issued on 
February 11, 1994, for Environmental Justice in Minority Populations 
and Low-Income Populations; and guidance on NOAA facilities and 
construction projects.
    This document is available by request through the contact 
identified above (see ADDRESSES) as well as via the Internet at: http:/
/www.rdc.noaa.gov/foia/adrian.html under ``Policies and 
Administrative Manuals that Affect the Public''; ``Notices, Proposed 
Rules and Final Rules''.

Classification

    It was determined that this procedural rule is not significant for 
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    The Assistant General Counsel for Legislation and Regulation 
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy, Small Business 
Administration, that this rule will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities because it is a 
procedural rule, and it will have no economic impact on entities. 
Therefore, a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is not required and was 
not prepared.

    Dated: October 21, 1998.
Susan Fruchter,
Director, Office of Policy and Strategic Planning, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 98-28801 Filed 10-27-98; 8:45 am]
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