[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 42 (Thursday, March 4, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9878-9879]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-4501]


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COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY


Draft Principles and Standards Sections of the ``Economic and 
Environmental Principles and Guidelines for Water and Related Land 
Resources Implementation Studies''; Initiation of Revision and Request 
for Comments

AGENCY: Council on Environmental Quality.

ACTION: Notice of the extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: This notice extends the comment period on a notice published 
in the Federal Register on December 9, 2009 (74 FR 65102). The original 
date that the comment period would end was March 5, 2010. That date 
will now be extended until April 5, 2010.
    Section 2031 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (Pub. 
L. 110-114) directs the Secretary of the Army to revise the ``Economic 
and Environmental Principles and Guidelines for Water and Related Land 
Resources Implementation Studies,'' (P&G) dated March 10, 1983, 
consistent with a number of considerations enumerated in the statute. 
The Administration has initiated the development of uniform planning 
standards for the development of water resources that would apply to 
water resources development programs and activities government-wide, to 
agencies in addition to the traditional water resources development 
agencies covered under the current Principles and Guidelines: the Army 
Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation (Interior), Natural Resources 
Conservation Service (USDA), and Tennessee Valley Authority. Therefore, 
the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), in coordination with the 
Office of Management and Budget, has implemented a two phase 
interagency process revising the planning guidance. The first phase 
focused on facilitating interagency revisions to the ``Principles and 
Standards'' (Chapter I of the existing P&G) of Principles and 
Guidelines for planning water resources projects. The second phase will 
address revisions to the Procedures (Chapters II through IV of the 1983 
P&G).
    Upon approval of the revised ``Principles and Standards'' and the 
future revision of the Procedures, the entire revision will apply to 
Federal water resources implementation studies including project 
reevaluations and modifications except those commenced prior to the 
issuance of the revised guidance. The purpose of this notice is

[[Page 9879]]

to provide an opportunity for interested individuals and organizations 
to submit comments on the revised ``Principles and Standards''. Using 
these comments and those from the National Academy of Sciences, CEQ 
will lead an interagency effort to finalize the Principles and 
Standards and draft the Procedures sections of the Principles and 
Guidelines.
    Draft Document For Review: The draft ``Principles and Standards'' 
for review can be accessed on the Internet at  http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/initiatives/PandG/ or, upon 
request, will be provided by mail or e-mail.

DATES: CEQ is extending the written comments period, they will be 
accepted through April 5, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted in writing to the Council on 
Environmental Quality, Attn: Terry Breyman, 722 Jackson Place, NW., 
Washington, DC 20503, via e-mail to [email protected], FAX 202-456-6546, 
or submitted via the CEQ Web page at http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/initiatives/PandG/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terry Breyman, Deputy Associate 
Director for Natural Resources, at 202-456-9721.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Council on Environmental Quality in 
conjunction with the Office of Management and Budget is seeking 
comments on the revised draft of the ``Principles and Standards'' 
(Chapter I of the 1983 P&G) which is the first phase. Revision of 
Chapters II through IV of the Procedures will be initiated at a later 
date. Written comments should be submitted to Terry Breyman, 722 
Jackson Place, NW., Washington, DC 20503 or via e-mail to 
[email protected] or FAX 202-456-6546. Comments may also be submitted 
directly to the Council of Environmental Quality Web page at http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ceq/initiatives/PandG/. To help 
understand the changes, the following background documents will be made 
available by mail or e-mail or they may be accessed at the Internet 
addresses indicated: ``Economic and Environmental Principles and 
Guidelines for Water and Related Land Resources Implementation Studies 
dated March 10, 1983 (http://www.usace.army.mil/CECW/PlanningCOP/Documents/library/Principles_Guidelines.pdf) Water Resources 
Development Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-114) at http://www.usace.army.mil/CECW/PlanningCOP/Documents/library/hr1495_pl110-114.pdf.

    Dated: February 26, 2010.
Nancy H. Sutley,
Chair, Council on Environmental Quality.
[FR Doc. 2010-4501 Filed 3-3-10; 8:45 am]
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