[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 161 (Tuesday, August 20, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53931-53932]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-21038]


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COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY


National Environmental Policy Act Task Force

AGENCY: Council on Environmental Quality.

ACTION: Notice extending comment period.

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SUMMARY: By Federal Register notice of July 9, 2002 (67 FR 45510-
45512), the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) notified interested 
parties it had formed a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) task 
force (Task Force) and invited comment on the proposed nature and scope 
of NEPA Task Force activities. The Task Force seeks ways to improve and 
modernize NEPA analyses and documentation and foster improved 
coordination among all levels of government and the public, and 
solicits examples of effected NEPA implementation practices to develop 
a publication of case studies including examples of best practices.
    Interested parties have requested that CEQ extend the public 
comment. The deadline for comments was August 23, 2002. By this notice, 
CEQ is extending the public comment period to September 23, 2002. 
Although the time for comments has been extended, CEQ requests that 
interested parties provide information about examples of effective NEPA 
implementation practices and examples of best practices as soon as 
possible.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted on or before September 23, 
2002.

ADDRESSES: Electronic or facsimile comments are preferred because 
federal offices experience intermittent mail delays from security 
screening. Electronic written comments can be sent to the NEPA Task 
Force through the Web site at http://ceq.eh.doe.gov/ntf/ which provides 
a form for responding to questions posed in the July 9, 2002, notice as 
well as a direct electronic mail link to [email protected]. Written 
comments may be faxed to the NEPA Task Force at (801) 517-1021. Written 
comments may also be submitted to the NEPA Task Force, P.O. Box 221150, 
Salt Lake City, UT 84122.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rhey Solomon by phone at (202) 456-
5432.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 9, 2002, CEQ published notice in the 
Federal Register requesting public comment on current NEPA implementing 
practices and procedures in the following areas: technology,

[[Page 53932]]

information management, and information security; federal and 
intergovernmental collaboration; programmatic and tiered analyses; and 
adaptive management and monitoring and evaluation plans. In addition, 
it was announced that the NEPA Task Force would look at other NEPA 
implementation issues such as the level of detail included in agencies' 
procedures and documentation for promulgating categorical exclusions, 
the utility and structure of format for environmental assessment 
documents, and implementation practices that would benefit other 
agencies.
    A number of interest groups and individuals have requested that CEQ 
extend the public comment period. The Council believes that by 
extending the comment period a better collection of best practices can 
be assembled and greater in-depth responses will result to the 
questions posed in the Federal Register notice of July 9, 2002 (67 FR 
45510-45512). Therefore, the comment period is being extended by 30 
days.
    Public comments are requested by September 23, 2002.

    Dated: August 14, 2002.
James L. Connaughton,
Chairman, Council on Environmental Quality.
[FR Doc. 02-21038 Filed 8-19-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3125-01-M