[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 23, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8045-8046]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-3531]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY


National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Draft Guidance, 
Establishing, Applying, and Revising Categorical Exclusions Under the 
National Environmental Policy Act

AGENCY: Council on Environmental Quality.

ACTION: Notice of Availability, Draft Guidance, ``Establishing, 
Applying, and Revising Categorical Exclusions Under the National 
Environmental Policy Act.''

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: On February 18, 2010, the Council on Environmental Quality 
(CEQ) announced four steps to modernize, reinvigorate, and ease the use 
and increase the transparency of implementation of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Enacted in 1970, NEPA is a fundamental 
tool used to harmonize our economic, environmental, and social 
aspirations and is a cornerstone of our Nation's efforts to protect the 
environment. NEPA recognizes that many Federal activities affect the 
environment and mandates that Federal agencies consider the 
environmental impacts of their proposed actions before acting. 
Additionally, NEPA emphasizes public involvement in government actions 
affecting the environment by requiring that the benefits and the risks 
associated with proposed actions be assessed and publicly disclosed.
    CEQ, which is charged with implementing NEPA, recognizes that it is 
a visionary and versatile law that can be used effectively to address 
new environmental challenges facing our Nation and also to engage the 
public widely and effectively. Furthermore, CEQ wants to develop more 
effective and accessible tools for citizen involvement in government 
decision-making. These actions are designed to provide carefully-
tailored new assessment and reporting requirements, facilitate agency 
compliance with NEPA, and enhance the quality of public involvement in 
governmental decisions relating to the environment.

DATES: Comments should be submitted on or before April 9, 2010.

ADDRESSES: The NEPA Draft Guidance documents are available at http://www.nepa.gov. Comments on the NEPA Draft Guidance ``Establishing, 
Applying, and Revising Categorical Exclusions under the National 
Environmental Policy Act'' should be submitted electronically to 
[email protected], or in writing to The Council on Environmental 
Quality, Attn: Ted Boling, 722 Jackson Place, NW., Washington, DC 
20503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ted Boling, Senior Counsel, at (202) 
395-5750.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Many Federal actions do not have significant 
effects on the environment. When these actions fall into broad 
categories of activities, agencies may apply a ``categorical 
exclusion'' from further NEPA review. This draft guidance clarifies the 
rules for categorical exclusions and ensures that there is a concise 
public record when agencies apply them. While CEQ previously has sought 
public comments on this matter, this guidance provides additional 
clarifications, so it will seek additional public comment for 45 days. 
Draft guidance documents are now available at the Council on 
Environmental Quality Web site at http://www.nepa.gov.
    Public comments are requested on or before April 9, 2010.


[[Page 8046]]


    February 18, 2010.
Nancy Sutley,
Chair, Council on Environmental Quality.
[FR Doc. 2010-3531 Filed 2-22-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3125-W0-P