[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 57 (Monday, March 26, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14103-14104]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-5454]


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COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY


The National Environmental Policy Act--Collaboration Handbook

AGENCY: Council On Environmental Quality.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) used an interagency 
work group to develop a handbook to help NEPA practitioners improve the 
effectiveness of their NEPA processes through collaboration. The 
handbook focuses on collaboration in the context of the NEPA process, 
outlines general principles, presents useful steps, and provides 
information on methods of collaboration. CEQ invites comments on the 
proposed handbook, ``Collaboration in NEPA--A Handbook for NEPA 
Practitioners,'' that is available from CEQ directly or at http://www.NEPA.gov in the Current Developments section.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted on or before May 4, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the proposed handbook can be requested from CEQ. 
Electronic comments on the proposed handbook and requests for a copy of 
the proposed handbook can be sent to [email protected] with 
the subject line reading ``NEPA Modernization (Collaboration).'' Fax 
written comments and requests to (202) 456-0753 with the subject line 
reading ``NEPA Modernization (Collaboration).'' Electronic or facsimile 
comments or requests are preferred because Federal offices experience 
intermittent mail delays caused by security screening. Written comments 
and requests may also be submitted to ``NEPA Modernization 
(Collaboration), Attn: Associate Director for NEPA Oversight, 722 
Jackson Place, NW., Washington, DC 20503.''

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 handbook, ``Collaboration in NEPA--A Handbook for NEPA 
Practitioners,'' was developed to assist those responsible for 
conducting National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analyses in 
expanding the effective use of collaboration as part of the NEPA 
process. Collaboration is defined for purposes of the handbook as 
seeking agreements at one or more stages of the NEPA process by 
cultivating shared vision, trust, and communication. The main goal of 
the handbook is to

[[Page 14104]]

encourage collaboration by providing examples and case studies that 
show how agencies have collaborated with other agencies and interested 
parties in the past and how agencies can better collaborate throughout 
a NEPA process.
    The handbook describes the context for when collaboration works 
well, provides a basic approach to designing a collaborative NEPA 
process, examines the various opportunities for collaboration 
throughout the NEPA process, and addresses challenges to collaboration 
during the NEPA process. In addition to examples of strategies for 
preventing conflict, the handbook provides examples of Memoranda of 
Understanding, case studies, and resources for practitioners.
    Public comments to the proposed handbook are requested by May 4, 
2007.

    March 19, 2007.
James L. Connaughton,
Chairman, Council on Environmental Quality.
[FR Doc. E7-5454 Filed 3-23-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3125-W7-P