[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 176 (Monday, September 11, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54862-54863]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-23164]


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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

National Institute of Justice

[OJP(NIJ)-1288]


Notice of Availability of the Finding of No Significant Impact 
and the Environmental Assessment for NIJ's Crime Laboratory Improvement 
Program--DNA

AGENCY: Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice 
(NIJ), Justice.

ACTION: Notice of availability of FONSI and EA.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Assessment, which is available to the 
public, concludes that the DNA improvement funding of the Crime 
Laboratory Improvement Program will not have a significant impact on 
the quality of the human environment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For copies of the Environmental 
Assessment, please contact: A. Trent DePersia, NIJ Environmental 
Coordinator, National Institute of Justice, 810 7th Street, N.W., Room 
7252, Washington, DC 20531; Phone:(202) 305-4686; E-mail: 
[email protected]. Copies of the Environmental Assessment are also 
available on NIJ's Website at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/crimelabenviron.htm.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Program Description

    The National Institute of Justice (NIJ), 42 U.S.C. Sec. 3722, as 
required by the Council on Environmental Quality's regulations, 40 CFR 
parts 1500 through 1508, has prepared an Environmental Assessment for 
the Crime Laboratory Improvement Program (CLIP)-DNA. The Purpose of 
CLIP is to provide equipment, supplies, and training to State and local 
crime laboratories to increase or expand their capabilities and 
capacities to perform various types of forensic analysis, such as 
biological evidence analysis (including DNA testing), trace evidence 
analysis, fingerprint comparison, toxicology, and firearm and tool mark 
analyses. This program responds to the criminal justice system's need 
for access to accurate and timely forensic laboratory services to

[[Page 54863]]

develop investigative leads and solve crimes. This phase of CLIP 
funding (CLIP--DNA) will be directed specifically to DNA laboratory 
improvements.

Environmental Assessment

    NIJ will award grants to State and local crime laboratories through 
a competitive solicitation process. NIJ expects to award approximately 
30 CLIP grants per year, dependent upon appropriations. The 
Environmental Assessment concludes that the funding of this program 
will not have a significant impact on the quality of the human 
environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement will not be 
prepared for the funding of this program.

    Dated: September 5, 2000.
Julie Samuels,
Acting Director, National Institute of Justice.
[FR Doc. 00-23164 Filed 9-8-00; 8:45 am]
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