[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 201 (Wednesday, October 18, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 61468]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-17359]



[[Page 61468]]

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COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY


The National Environmental Policy Act--Guidance on Categorical 
Exclusions

AGENCY: Council on Environmental Quality.

ACTION: Notice extending comment period.

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SUMMARY: By Federal Register notice of September 19, 2006 (71 FR 54816-
54820), the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) notified interested 
parties it was proposing guidance to Federal agencies for establishing 
and for using categorical exclusions in meeting their responsibilities 
under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). CEQ invited 
comments on the proposed guidance, ``Establishing, Revising, and Using 
Categorical Exclusions under the National Environmental Policy Act.'' 
Interested parties have requested that CEQ extend the public comment. 
The deadline for comments was October 27, 2006. By this notice, CEQ is 
extending the public comment period to December 1, 2006. Although the 
time for comments has been extended, CEQ requests that interested 
parties provide comments as soon as possible.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted on or before December 1, 
2006.

ADDRESSES: Electronic or facsimile comments on the proposed guidance 
are preferred because federal offices experience intermittent mail 
delays from security screening. Electronic comments can be sent to NEPA 
Modernization (CE) at [email protected]. Written comments may be 
faxed to NEPA Modernization (CE) at (202) 456-0753. Written comments 
may also be submitted to NEPA Modernization (CE), Attn: Associate 
Director for NEPA Oversight, 722 Jackson Place NW., Washington DC 
20503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Horst Greczmiel, 202-395-5750.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 19, 2006, CEQ published notice 
in the Federal Register requesting public comment on proposed guidance 
to Federal agencies for establishing and for using categorical 
exclusions in meeting their responsibilities under the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
    The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) established a National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Task Force and is now implementing 
recommendations designed to modernize the implementation of NEPA and 
make the NEPA process more effective and efficient. Additional 
information is available on the task force Web site at http://ceq.eh.doe.gov/ntf.
    The proposed guidance, ``Establishing, Revising, and Using 
Categorical Exclusions under the National Environmental Policy Act,'' 
was developed to assist agencies with developing and using categorical 
exclusions for actions that do not have significant effects on the 
human environment and eliminate the need for unnecessary paperwork and 
effort under NEPA for categories of actions that normally do not 
warrant preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS) or 
environmental assessment (EA). Developing and using appropriate 
categorical exclusions promotes the cost-effective use of agency NEPA 
related resources.
    Interested parties have requested that CEQ extend the public 
comment period. The Council believes that by extending the comment 
period we will receive more in-depth comments on the proposed guidance 
published in the Federal Register notice of September 19, 2006 (67 FR 
45510-45512) and also available at http://www.NEPA.gov in the Current 
Developments section. Therefore, the comment period is being extended.
    Public comments are requested by December 1, 2006.

    Dated: October 13, 2006.
James L. Connaughton,
Chairman, Council on Environmental Quality.
 [FR Doc. E6-17359 Filed 10-17-06; 8:45 am]
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