[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 222 (Thursday, November 17, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 81066-81074]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27567]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF031


Revised National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 
publishes this notice to request comments on its draft Companion Manual 
to NOAA Administrative Order NAO 216-6A (``Companion Manual'') 
containing policy and procedures for implementing the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and related authorities. Included in 
the Companion Manual are NOAA's proposed revised categorical exclusions 
(CE) and related extraordinary circumstances. Pursuant to Council on 
Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations, NOAA is soliciting comments on 
its proposed procedures from members of the interested public. 
Additionally, in this notice, NOAA is providing a synopsis of the 
proposed changes to NOAA's CEs to assist the public in reviewing those 
changes.

DATES: Comments on the revised NEPA procedures must be received by 
December 19, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Comments on NOAA's proposed NEPA procedures may be submitted 
through one of these methods: (1) Electronic Submission of Comments: 
Submit electronic comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-HQ-2016-0145, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments; (2) Mail: Send to NOAA NEPA Coordinator, 
Attention Katherine Renshaw, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 15132, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910.
    Instructions: NOAA may not consider comments if they are sent by 
any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after 
the comment period ends. All comments received are a part of the public 
record and NOAA will generally post for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender is publicly accessible. NOAA will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous). NOAA will make this notice and the draft Companion Manual 
available online for public inspection at http://www.nepa.noaa.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please send questions by email to 
[email protected]; or contact Rachel Lipsy at 301-427-8247.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) declares a national policy to promote 
efforts that will prevent or eliminate damage to the environment, 
stimulate the health and welfare of man, and enrich the understanding 
of the ecological systems and natural resources important to the United 
States. NEPA also established the CEQ to, among other things, analyze 
and interpret environmental trends and information, to review and 
appraise programs and activities of the Federal government in light of 
NEPA's purpose, and to develop policies to promote the improvement of 
environmental quality. As part of these responsibilities, the CEQ 
promulgated regulations to implement NEPA (see 40 CFR part 1500 et 
seq.). Those regulations direct Federal agencies to adopt procedures 
for implementing NEPA and to review and revise those policies and 
procedures as necessary to ensure full compliance with the purposes and 
provisions of NEPA.
    NEPA and the CEQ implementing regulations provide for environmental 
review of a proposed government action in the form of an Environmental 
Assessment (EA), Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), or Categorical 
Exclusion (CE). A CE is ``a category of actions which do not 
individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human 
environment,'' and, based on the agency's past experience, does not 
require further NEPA review in the form of either an EA or EIS. See 40 
CFR 1508.4, CEQ, ``Final Guidance for Federal Departments and Agencies 
on Establishing, Applying, and Revising Categorical Exclusions Under 
the National Environmental Policy Act'' (75 FR 75628; December 6, 
2010). A CE does not exempt an action from NEPA review; rather, it is 
one form of environmental review under NEPA. See 75 FR 75631. A CE may 
be applied to a proposed action after the decision maker has carefully 
reviewed the description of the action and determined that it fits 
within the category of actions encompassed by the CE. See 40 CFR 
1508.4. In making this determination, the decision maker must also 
consider whether extraordinary circumstances apply, which would lead to 
a normally categorically excluded action to have the potential for 
significant impacts. Thus, a CE does not eliminate environmental review 
of a proposed action but reduces paperwork and delay and allows an 
agency to efficiently focus its resources on proposed actions with the 
potential for significant environmental effects.
    On April 22, 2016, NOAA issued NOAA Administrative Order 216-6A 
(NAO 216-6A), which updated NOAA's policy for compliance with NEPA, the 
CEQ NEPA regulations, and other related authorities, including 
Executive Order (EO) 12114, Environmental Effects Abroad of Major 
Federal Actions; EO 11988, Floodplain Management; and EO 11990, 
Protection of Wetlands. The NAO authorized the development of a 
Companion Manual entitled Policy and Procedures for Compliance with the 
National Environmental Policy Act and Related Authorities (``Companion 
Manual''). The draft Companion Manual includes NOAA's proposed revised 
CEs as an appendix. NAO 216-6A superseded NOAA Administrative Order NAO 
216-6 dated May 20, 1999 (1999 NAO), with the exception of those 
provisions implementing CEQ regulation 40 CFR 1507.3(b), including the 
NOAA's CEs and related provision for extraordinary circumstances. Those 
provisions temporarily remain in effect until superseded by revised CEs 
and the authorized Companion Manual. Additionally, the National Marine 
Fisheries Service's February 23, 2016 supplement to NAO 216-6, entitled 
``Revised and Updated NEPA Procedures for Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Management Actions,'' remains in effect. The supplement sets forth the 
policies and procedures for NEPA compliance for such actions. For 
convenience, the supplement is reproduced as Appendix C to the 
Companion Manual. Decision makers for such actions may also consider 
and apply the guidance in the Companion Manual to the extent it is 
consistent with the policies and procedures in the supplement.

Process

    NOAA last updated its NEPA Procedures in 1999. In order to ensure 
that its procedures, including CEs and

[[Page 81067]]

extraordinary circumstances, remain appropriate to ensure full 
compliance with the purposes and provisions of NEPA, NOAA began an 
extensive review process. As part of its process for revising the 
agency's NEPA procedures, NOAA convened a Working Group composed of 
representatives across NOAA's Staff and Line Offices. The Working Group 
members conducted significant scoping within their respective offices 
to assess the need for revised NEPA procedures, the need for revised 
CEs, and to gather information relevant to proposed new CEs, including 
information necessary to support the proposed changes. Throughout the 
revision process, NOAA also conducted outreach with other agencies with 
similar missions, and consulted extensively with CEQ. See 40 CFR 
1507.3.
    Upon review of NOAA's overall NEPA procedures, the agency 
determined that its existing procedures would benefit from clarifying 
revisions and that NOAA's CEs would benefit from revisions to clarify 
the scope and applicability and that several new CEs were appropriate 
to improve NEPA review by categorically excluding actions that, based 
on NOAA's experience, have no potential to significantly impact the 
human environment. In some instances, NOAA determined that providing 
additional language to describe the categories of actions covered by an 
existing CE was necessary to clarify the intended scope of that CE. In 
other cases, NOAA determined that the scope of a CE was unclear because 
it covered too many disparate activities with few meaningful 
limitations. The Working Group determined that breaking out components 
of these CEs into discrete CEs that accurately described the category 
of actions to be excluded from further NEPA review and including 
appropriately limiting language clarified the proper scope and 
application of the CE for the decision maker. Additionally, NOAA 
identified CEs that either lacked adequate substantiation or were no 
longer necessary because of mission changes. Accordingly, NOAA proposes 
to eliminate these types of CEs.
    NOAA proposes to substantiate its new and revised CEs by 
benchmarking other agencies' CEs, relying on previously implemented 
actions, and/or relying on the expert opinions of NOAA's professional 
staff, all of which are methods recommended by CEQ to substantiate 
proposed new or revised CEs. See 75 FR 75633-34. Benchmarking means 
that NOAA is substantiating a CE based on other agencies' experience 
with a comparable CE and the administrative record developed by other 
agencies when they established their own CEs. To ensure the CEs that 
NOAA proposes to benchmark properly support NOAA's proposed CEs, NOAA 
analyzed the actions encompassed by other agencies' CEs by considering 
the characteristics of the actions, methods of implementing the 
actions, frequency of the actions, applicable standard operating 
procedures or implementing guidance, and timing and context to 
determine that the actions analyzed by these agencies are sufficiently 
similar to those covered by the proposed CE to offer support for NOAA's 
conclusion that these actions will not result in individually or 
cumulatively significant impacts on the human environment under normal 
circumstances.
    Additionally, and where appropriate, NOAA relied on its 
professional staff to analyze the activities encompassed by the 
proposed CEs and explain the expert's conclusion that those activities 
have no potential for significant effects on the environment. Finally, 
NOAA relied on its own experience with previously implemented actions 
(e.g., EAs that resulted in Findings of No Significant Impacts) to 
determine that the analyses of those actions and the resulting absence 
of environmental effects of those actions support the proposed CE.

Synopsis of Proposed Changes to CEs

Applicable Terms

    Certain terms appear frequently in the language of NOAA's proposed 
CEs to limit their scope and ensure they are applied properly and 
limited to those activities that NOAA has determined have no potential 
for significant impacts. The following list presents and describes 
these terms:
    (1) ``Previously disturbed ground'' refers to land that has been 
changed such that its functioning ecological processes have been and 
remain substantially altered by human activity. The term encompasses 
areas that have been transformed from natural cover to non-native 
species or a developed state, including but not limited to, utility and 
electrical power transmission corridors and rights-of-way, paved and 
unpaved roads, and construction footprints.
    (2) ``Minor'' and ``small-scale'' are terms NOAA considers in the 
context of the particular proposal, including its proposed location. In 
assessing whether a proposed action is small, in addition to the actual 
magnitude of the proposal, NOAA considers factors such as industry 
norms and the relationship of the proposed action to similar types of 
development or activity in the vicinity of the proposed action. When 
considering the size of a proposed facility, for example, NOAA would 
review the surround land uses, the scale of the proposed action 
relative to existing development, and the capacity of existing roads 
and other infrastructure to support the proposed action. When these 
limiting terms are used within a specific CE, the administrative record 
for that CE provides further explanation of their meaning in the 
context of the activity addressed by that CE.
    (3) ``Negligible'' refers to a level of impact that is below 
significant to the point of being hardly detectable. Factors for 
consideration include: Procedures that employ generally accepted 
industry standards or best management practices that have been tested 
and verified at the time an activity is proposed; whether an activity 
has understood or well-documented impacts at the time an activity is 
proposed; whether control and quality measures are in place (e.g., 
monitoring and verification; emergency plans and preparedness); the 
direct, indirect, and cumulative effects of the proposed activity on a 
resource; and the context and intensity of expected discharges or 
deposits and disturbances to resources, like the submerged lands of any 
sanctuary, corals, and other living, cultural, and historical 
resources.

Categorical Exclusions

    NOAA's proposed revised CEs are organized into eight series, based 
on the types of activities encompassed by each group. Series A 
encompasses CEs that pertain to Trust Resource Management Actions. B 
pertains to Trust Resource Authorization and Permitting Actions. C 
pertains to Habitat Restoration Actions. D pertains to Additional 
External Funding. E pertains to Research Actions. F pertains to Real 
and Personal Property Improvement, Maintenance, and Construction 
Actions. G pertains to Operational Actions. Finally, H pertains to 
Acquisition and Leasing Actions.
    The following list presents NOAA's proposed CEs, followed by a 
description of the CE's relationship to the existing CEs from the 1999 
NAO and an explanation of how and why a CE was revised or developed.

Trust Resource Management Actions

    [A1]. ``An action that is a technical correction or a change to a 
fishery management action or regulation, which does not result in a 
substantial change in any of the following: Fishing location, timing, 
effort, authorized gear types, access to fishery resources or harvest 
levels.''

[[Page 81068]]

    NOAA proposes to consolidate components of several CEs from the 
1999 NOA: 6.03a.3(b)(1), 6.03a.3(b)(2), 6.03d.4(a), and 6.03d.4(b). 
NOAA realized in implementing NEPA since 1999 that there were several 
very similar CEs that frequently served the same purpose. NOAA also 
determined that it would be most helpful for practitioners to address 
different types of management plans in separate CEs so that limitations 
to ensure that the category of actions would not result in significant 
impacts were appropriate to the types of management plan in place. 
Accordingly, consolidating these classes of actions into a single CE 
for fishery management actions and regulations clarified the CE's scope 
and applicability for decision makers. The proposed revision limits the 
scope of the CE so that any corrections or changes to which the CE is 
to be applied may not result in a substantial change in fishing 
location, timing, effort, authorized gear types, access to fishery 
resources or harvest levels. The proposed changes and revisions do not 
result in a substantial change in scope or applicability from the 
listed CEs in the 1999 NAO.
    [A2]. ``Preparation of a recovery plan pursuant to section 4(f)(1) 
of the ESA. Such plans are advisory documents that provide consultative 
and technical assistance in recovery planning and do not implement 
site-specific or species-specific management actions. However, 
implementation of specific tasks identified in a recovery plan may 
require an EA or EIS depending on the nature of the action.''
    NOAA proposes to revise CE 6.03e.3(a) by adding ``and do not direct 
site-specific or species-specific management actions'' to the 
definition of consultative. NOAA's use of the language ``. . . advisory 
documents that provide consultative and technical assistance in 
recovery planning and do not direct site-specific or species-specific 
management actions. However, implementation of specific tasks 
identified in a recovery plan may require additional NEPA analysis 
depending on the nature of the action'' further clarifies the proper 
use of the CE and ensures that it is not employed to cover specific 
management actions. The proposed changes and revisions clarify the 
scope and applicability of the CE and do not result in any change in 
scope or applicability from the CE in the 1999 NAO.
    [A3.] ``Temporary fishery closures or extensions of closures under 
section 305(c)(3)(C) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act to ensure public health and safety.''
    NOAA proposes a new CE to cover temporary fishery closures or 
extensions of closures under section 305(c)(3)(C) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to ensure public health 
and safety following a public health emergency or an oil spill.
    [A4.] ``Minor updates to existing national marine sanctuary 
management plans. This CE does not apply to sanctuary designations, 
expansions, changes in terms of designation, or new sanctuary 
management plans.''
    NOAA proposes to consolidate components of two CEs from the 1999 
NOA: 6.03a.3(b)(1) and 6.03a.3(b)(2). NOAA realized in implementing 
NEPA since 1999 that there were several very similar CEs that 
frequently served the same purpose. NOAA also determined that discrete 
CEs with appropriately limiting language specific to different types of 
management plans would be most helpful to decision makers. Accordingly, 
consolidating these classes of actions into a single CE for minor 
updates to existing national marine sanctuary management plans 
clarified the CE's scope and applicability for decision makers. NOAA 
proposes to explicitly limit the use of this CE by not allowing the 
category to be applied to actions that are amendments or changes to a 
management plan that affect sanctuary boundaries or to new sanctuary 
management plans. The National Marine Sanctuaries Act (16 U.S.C. 1431 
et seq.) mandates that the Secretary of Commerce (as delegated to NOAA) 
prepare an environmental impact statement for sanctuary designations 
and boundary changes. The proposed changes and revisions do not result 
in a substantial change in scope or applicability from the listed CEs 
in the 1999 NAO.
    [A5.] ``Updates to existing National Estuarine Research Reserve 
(NERR) management plans, provided that the update does not change NERR 
boundaries or add or significantly change allowable uses, uses 
requiring a permit, or restrictions on uses. This CE does not apply to 
new NERR management plans, or to the execution of any specific action 
subsequently funded to support the updated NERR management plan.''
    NOAA proposes to consolidate components of two CEs from the 1999 
NOA: 6.03a.3(b)(1) and 6.03a.3(b)(2). NOAA realized in implementing 
NEPA since 1999 that there were several very similar CEs that 
frequently served the same purpose. NOAA also determined that discrete 
CEs with appropriately limiting language specific to different types of 
management plans would be most helpful to decision makers. Accordingly, 
consolidating these classes of actions into a single CE for updates to 
existing NERR management plans clarified the CE's scope and 
applicability for decision makers. The CE is limited so that it may not 
be applied to actions where the update changes reserve boundaries and 
the change adds or significantly changes allowable uses requiring a 
permit, or restrictions on uses. Additionally the CE is limited in that 
it does not apply to new NERR management plans, or to the execution of 
any specific action subsequently funded to support the updated NERR 
management plan. The proposed changes and revisions do not result in a 
substantial change in scope or applicability from the listed CEs in the 
1999 NAO.
    [A6.] ``Review and approval of changes to state coastal management 
programs under the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) Sec.  306(e) (16 
U.S.C. 1455(e)) and NOAA's regulations at 15 CFR part 923.''
    NOAA proposes to consolidate components of two CEs: 6.03a.3(b)(1) 
and 6.03a.3(b)(2). NOAA realized in implementing NEPA since 1999 that 
there were several very similar CEs that frequently served the same 
purpose. NOAA also determined that discrete CEs with appropriately 
limiting language specific to different types of management plans would 
be most helpful to decision makers. Accordingly, consolidating these 
classes of actions into a single CE for review and approval of changes 
to state coastal management programs under the CZMA 16 U.S.C. 1455(e) 
and NOAA's regulations at 15 CFR part 923 clarified the CE's scope and 
applicability for decision makers. The Working Group determined that 
these statutory and regulatory limitations appropriately limited the 
scope of the CE so that activities encompassed by the CE have no 
potential for significant effects on the environment under normal 
circumstances.

Trust Resource Authorization and Permitting Actions

    [B1.] ``Issuance of permits or permit modifications under section 
10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA for take, import, or export of endangered 
species for scientific purposes or to enhance the propagation or 
survival of the affected species, or in accordance with the 
requirements of an ESA section 4(d) regulation for threatened 
species.''
    NOAA proposes to make minor revisions to CE 6.03e.3(b) by adding 
section 4(d) of the ESA to the text of the CE. The intent and purpose 
of Sections

[[Page 81069]]

10(a)(1)(a) and 4(d) of the ESA to issue permits for scientific or 
enhancement purposes. The proposed changes and revisions do not result 
in any change in scope or applicability from the CE in the 1999 NAO.
    [B2.] ``Issuance of permits or permit amendments under section 104 
of the MMPA for take or import of marine mammals for scientific 
research, enhancement, commercial or educational photography or public 
display purposes; and issuance of Letters of Confirmation under the 
General Authorization for scientific research involving only Level B 
harassment.''
    NOAA proposes to revise CE 6.03f.2(a) by removing section 101(a)(1) 
of the MMPA from the text of the CE. The reference to section 101(a)(1) 
was incorrect in the 1999 version and the revision corrects this error. 
The proposed revision does not result in any change in the scope or 
applicability of the CE.
    [B3.] ``Issuance of, and amendments to, ``low effect'' Incidental 
Take Permits and their supporting ``low effect'' Habitat Conservation 
Plans under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA.''
    NOAA proposes minor text edits to revise CE 6.03e.3(d) for 
clarification and readability. The proposed revision does not result in 
a substantial change on the scope or applicability of the CE.
    [B4.] ``Issuance of incidental harassment authorizations under 
section 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA for the incidental, but not 
intentional, take by harassment of marine mammals during specified 
activities and for which no serious injury or mortality is 
anticipated.''
    NOAA proposes to maintain CE 6.03f.2(b) and revise the language to 
clarify the proper scope and application of the CE. The 1999 NAO 
included an error that referred to only section 101(a)(5)(A) of the 
Marine Mammal Protection Act--this error has been corrected in this 
revision, which now properly refers to both sections 101(a)(5)(A) and 
101(a)(5)(D). Additionally, the 1999 version of the CE required 
authorizations to be ``tiered from a programmatic environmental 
review'' and this requirement has been removed. NOAA currently reviews 
small take incidental harassment authorizations under NEPA without the 
need for a ``tiering'' process. Accordingly, the proposed revision does 
not result in a substantial change in scope or applicability from the 
CEs in the 1999 NAO.
    NOAA proposes four new CEs--B5, B6, B7, and B8--to cover the 
issuance of, or amendments to general permits, special use permits, 
authorizations, and certifications for activities conducted within 
National Marine Sanctuaries. Previously, NOAA had applied CEs 
6.03c.3(a), 6.03c.3(c), 6.03c.3(d), and 6.03c.(3)(i) to address these 
actions. The Working Group determined that proposing new CEs that 
specifically encompass the actions described in B5, B6, B7, B8, B9, and 
B10 clarified the scope and applicability of the CEs for decision 
makers. Each CE is limited by conditions to ensure that activities 
encompassed by the CEs have no potential for significant effects on the 
environment under normal circumstances.
    [B5.] ``Issuance of, or amendments to, general permits for 
activities that are included in established permit categories at 15 CFR 
part 922 and that meet the regulatory review criteria at 15 CFR part 
922, that limit any potential impacts so that the proposed activity 
will be conducted in a manner compatible with the National Marine 
Sanctuaries Act's primary objective of resource protection.''
    [B6.] ``Issuance of, or amendments to, special use permits for 
activities in a national marine sanctuary that are necessary to either 
establish conditions of access to and use of any sanctuary resource or 
promote public use and understanding of a sanctuary resource and must 
be conducted in a manner that does not destroy, cause the loss of, or 
injure sanctuary resources in accordance with the National Marine 
Sanctuaries Act.''
    [B7.] ``Issuance of or amendments to, authorizations for activities 
allowed by a valid federal, regional, state, local or tribal government 
approval (e.g., leases, permits and licenses) issued after the 
effective date of sanctuary designation or expansion, so long as such 
authorizations are based upon a consideration of the regulatory review 
criteria at 15 CFR part 922, and will only result in negligible effects 
to sanctuary resources.''
    [B8.] ``Issuance of, or amendments to certifications for pre-
existing activities authorized by a valid federal, regional, state, 
local, or tribal government approval (e.g., leases, permits and 
licenses) or rights of subsistence use or access in existence on the 
date of the designation or expansion of any national marine sanctuary 
where the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries issues terms and 
conditions that are either ministerial or prescribe avoidance, 
minimization, or mitigation measures designed to ensure negligible 
effects to sanctuary resources.''
    [B9.] ``Issuance of, or amendments to Papah[amacr]naumoku[amacr]kea 
Marine National Monument (as established by Presidential Proclamation 
8031) permits for activities that are included in established permit 
categories (50 CFR part 404) and that meet the regulatory review 
criteria at (50 CFR 404.11), that limit any potential impacts so that 
the proposed activity will be conducted in a manner compatible with the 
monument's primary objective of resource protection.''
    NOAA proposes a new CE to cover the issuance of, or amendments to 
Papah[amacr]naumoku[amacr]kea Marine National Monument permits for 
activities that are included in established permit categories under 50 
CFR part 404 and that meet the regulatory review criteria under 50 CFR 
404.11.
    [B10.] ``Issuance of, or amendments to, 
Papah[amacr]naumoku[amacr]kea Marine National Monument special ocean 
use permits for activities or use of the monument that are engaged in 
to generate revenue or profits for one or more of the persons 
associated with the activity or use, and do not destroy, cause the loss 
of, or injure monument resources.''
    NOAA proposes a new CE to cover the issuance of, or amendments to 
Papah[amacr]naumoku[amacr]kea Marine National Monument special ocean 
use permits for activities or use of the monument that are engaged in 
to generate revenue or profits for one or more of the persons 
associated with the activity or use, and do not destroy, cause the loss 
of, or injure monument resources.
    [B11.] ``Issuance of Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs) under the 
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and Scientific Research Permits 
(SRPs) and other permits for research that may impact species regulated 
under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (MSA) and the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA). This 
includes permitted research of limited size, magnitude or duration with 
negligible individual or cumulative impacts, which requires temporary 
relief of fishery management regulations.''
    NOAA proposes a new CE to cover the issuance of, or amendments to 
permits or authorizations for activities that are conducted within 
Marine National Monuments other than Papah[amacr]naumoku[amacr]kea that 
are limited in scope so that the potential impacts of the proposed 
activities will be conducted in a manner compatible with a monument's 
primary objective of resource protection, and do not destroy, cause the 
loss of, or injure monument resources.
    [B12.] ``Issuance of Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs) under the 
authority of

[[Page 81070]]

the Magnuson-Stevens Act and Scientific Research Permits (SRPs) and 
other permits for research that may impact species regulated under the 
authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (MSA) and the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA). This includes 
permitted research of limited size, magnitude or duration with 
negligible individual or cumulative impacts, which requires temporary 
relief of fishery management regulations. ``
    NOAA proposes a new CE to cover the issuance of Exempted Fishing 
Permits (EFPs) under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Act and 
Scientific Research Permits (SRPs) and other permits for research that 
may impact species regulated under the authority of the Magnuson-
Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) and the Atlantic 
Tunas Convention Act (ATCA). These revisions are intended to encompass 
activities regarding the issuance of EFPs and SRPs for research 
activities within the scope of the CE and conducted for the benefit of 
fisheries and the environment.

Habitat Restoration Actions

    [C1.] ``Habitat restoration actions, provided that such action: (1) 
Transplants only organisms currently or formerly present at the site or 
in its immediate vicinity (if transplant is a component of the action); 
(2) does not require substantial placement of fill or dredging; (3) 
does not involve any removal of debris, excavation, or conditioning of 
soils unless such removal of debris, excavation, or conditioning of 
soils is geographically limited to the impact area such that site 
conditions will not impede or negatively alter natural processes, is in 
compliance with all permit and disposal requirements,), and will not 
impact critical aquifers or recharge areas; and (4) does not involve an 
added risk of human or environmental exposure to toxic or hazardous 
substances, pathogens, or radioactive materials.

    Notes:  If applicable, limitations and mitigation measures 
identified in the NOAA Restoration Center Programmatic Environmental 
Impact Statement for Habitat Restoration Actions must be followed. 
This CE includes, but is not limited to, response or restoration 
actions under CERLCA, OPA, or NMSA, if such actions are intended to 
restore an ecosystem, habitat, biotic community, or population of 
living resources to a determinable pre-impact condition prior to the 
incident leading to the response or restoration.''

    NOAA proposes to revise the version of CE 6.03b.2 by removing the 
condition that actions encompassed by this CE ``are intended to restore 
an ecosystem, habitat, biotic community, or population of living 
resources to a determinable pre-impact condition.'' NOAA determined 
that removing the requirement ``(1) are intended to restore an 
ecosystem, habitat, biotic community, or population of living resources 
to a determinable pre-impact condition'' clarified the applicability of 
this CE. Previously, the condition limited the CE's application to 
circumstances where NOAA was able to determine the pre-impact condition 
of the resource to be restored and this created confusion as to the 
scope and applicability of the CE. NOAA also added criteria that limit 
the scope of the CE. These four limitations were developed and reviewed 
by the Working Group and included to ensure that this category of 
actions is properly limited in context and intensity such that there is 
no potential for individual or cumulative significant effects on the 
human environment under normal circumstances. Finally, NOAA added the 
requirement that, if applicable, limitations and mitigation measures 
identified in the NOAA Restoration Center Programmatic Environmental 
Impact Statement for Habitat Restoration Actions (June 2015) (RC PEIS) 
must be followed.

Additional External Funding

    [D1.] ``Financial activities for the following financial services: 
(1) Loans for purchase, refinancing, or reconstruction of fishing 
vessels and purchase or refinancing of individual fishing quota through 
the Fisheries Finance Program; (2) Deferred tax program provided to 
fishermen to construct, reconstruct, or acquire fishing vessels through 
the Capital Construction Fund Program; and (3) Compensation to 
fishermen for economic and property losses caused by oil and gas 
obstructions on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf under the Fishermen's 
Contingency Fund.''
    NOAA proposes to break out a portion of CE 6.03c.3(b) to explicitly 
cover only the limited financial activities for specific financial 
services under the Fisheries Finance Program, the Capital Construction 
Fund Program, and the Fisherman's Contingency Fund. The Working Group 
determined that for the vast majority of financial assistance and 
financial services actions, decision makers should look at whether the 
underlying activity to be funded falls within one of the established 
CEs. The activities addressed in proposed D1, however, while 
appropriate for a CE, were not separately addressed in any of the other 
NOAA CEs and thus are proposed here as a separate financial activities 
category. The proposed revision clarifies the scope and applicability 
of the CE.
    [D2.] ``Provision of a grant, a contract or other financial 
assistance to a State, Fishery Management Council or Marine Fisheries 
Commission under 16 U.S.C. 1881a(d).''
    NOAA proposes to break out a portion of CE 6.03c.3(d) to explicitly 
cover the provision of a grant, contract, or other financial assistance 
to a State, Fishery Management Council or Marine Fisheries Commission 
under 16 U.S.C. 1881a(d). Similar to the activities addressed in D1, 
the Working Group determined that the specific provision of funding 
pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 1881(a)(d) was appropriately addressed in a CE 
and not otherwise covered by other NOAA proposed CEs. The proposed 
revision clarifies the scope and applicability of the CE.

Research Actions

    NOAA proposes to break out a portion of CEs 6.03c.3(a) and 
6.03c.3(d) to explicitly cover a variety of research activities with no 
potential for individual or cumulative significant effects under normal 
circumstances. The Working Group determined that it would be more 
appropriate to address research programs and projects with more 
specificity than the existing 1999 CE, which broadly covers all 
``research programs or projects of limited size and duration or with 
only short-term, minor effects on the human environment.'' Instead, 
after an internal scoping process evaluating the types of research 
activities that were routinely and appropriately relying on the 
existing CE, the Working Group developed the following categories of 
activities in proposed CEs E1-E8. For each of the proposed research 
CEs, the Working Group proposed limitations appropriate to the category 
of activities to ensure that the activities covered by each CE have no 
potential for significant effects on the environment under normal 
circumstances.
    [E1.] ``Activities conducted in laboratories and facilities where 
research practices and safeguards prevent environmental impacts.''
    [E2.] ``Social science projects and programs, including economic, 
political science, human geography, demography, and sociology studies, 
including information collection activities in support of studies.''
    [E3.] ``Activities to collect aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric 
data in a non-destructive manner.''

[[Page 81071]]

    [E4.] ``Activities that survey or observe living resources in the 
field with little to no potential to adversely affect the environment 
or interfere with organisms or habitat.''
    [E5.] ``Activities involving invasive techniques or methods that 
are conducted for scientific purposes, when such activities are 
conducted in accordance with all applicable provisions of the 
Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Migratory Bird 
Treaty Act, and Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act. Such activities will be limited to impacting living resources on a 
small scale relative to the size of the populations, and limited to 
methodologies and locations to ensure that there are no long-term 
adverse impacts to benthic habitats, essential fish habitat, critical 
habitat, or listed species.''
    [E6.] ``Research that involves the development and testing of new 
and modified fishing gear and technology in order to reduce adverse 
effects from fishing gear on non-target species.''
    [E7.] ``Collection of data and biological samples on fishing 
vessels or dockside as part of previously authorized commercial and/or 
recreational fishing activities.''
    [E8.] ``Biological, chemical, or toxicological research conducted 
in closed system mesocosm/aquaculture facilities that are conducted 
according to recommended protocols that provide containment and 
disposal of chemicals, toxins, non-native species, etc., in compliance 
with established Federal and state regulatory guidelines, and best 
management practices.''

Real and Personal Property Improvement, Maintenance, and Construction 
Actions

    [F1.] ``Siting, construction (or modification), and operation of 
support buildings and support structures (including, but not limited 
to, trailers and prefabricated buildings) within or contiguous to an 
already developed area (where active utilities and currently used roads 
are readily accessible).''
    NOAA proposes a new CE to cover activities to place and operate 
trailers, modular buildings, storage buildings, or shipping units 
within or contiguous to an already developed area.
    [F2.] ``In-kind replacement of personal property and fixtures and 
other components of real property when such activities do not result in 
a substantial change in the existing construction footprint. In-kind 
replacement includes installation of new components to replace outmoded 
components if the replacement does not result in a substantial change 
to the design capacity, or function of the facility.''
    NOAA proposes to make minor revisions to CE 6.03c.3(e) by breaking 
out a component of this CE into a separate CE. NOAA's use of the 
language ``In-kind replacement includes installation of new components 
to replace outmoded components if the replacement does not result in a 
substantial change to the design capacity, or function of the 
facility'' further clarifies the CE. The proposed changes and revisions 
do not result in any change in scope or applicability from the CEs in 
the 1999 NAO.
    [F3.] ``(a) Routine repair, maintenance, and improvement of real 
and personal property, where such activities are required to maintain 
and preserve buildings, structures, infrastructures, vehicles, and 
equipment in a condition suitable to be used for its designed purpose.
    (b) New construction, expansion and/or improvement of facilities 
where all of the following conditions are met:
    (1) The site is in a developed area and/or a previously disturbed 
site;
    (2) The structure and proposed use are compatible with applicable 
Federal, Tribal, State, and local planning and zoning standards and 
consistent with Federally approved State coastal management programs 
and the National Historic Preservation Act;
    (3) The proposed use will not substantially increase the number of 
motor vehicles, marine vessels, or aircraft at the facility or in the 
area;
    (4) The site and scale of construction or improvement are 
consistent with those of existing, adjacent, or nearby buildings;
    (5) The construction or improvement will not result in uses that 
exceed existing infrastructure capacities (e.g., electrical, roads, 
sewer, water, parking);
    (6) The construction or improvement will not result in operational 
uses that adversely affect the surrounding community (e.g., noise); and
    (7) The community-valued view sheds are not adversely affected.
    (c) Installation, repair, maintenance, and enhancement of public 
access facilities and infrastructure, if the activity:
    (1) Is small-scale and nondestructive;
    (2) Is consistent with applicable right-of-way conditions and 
approved land use plans; and
    This CE does not apply where the project must be submitted to the 
National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) for review and NCPC 
determines that it does not have an applicable Categorical Exclusion.''
    NOAA proposes to break out and merge several portions of the 
following CEs: 6.03c.3(c) ``minor improvements to an existing site 
(e.g., fences, roads, picnic facilities, etc.)''; 6.03c.3(e) ``routine 
facility maintenance and repair''; 6.03c.3(f); 6.03c.3(g); and, 
6.03c.3(i) ``routine maintenance.'' The proposed changes and revisions 
clarify the scope and applicability of the CE.
    [F4]. ``Routine groundskeeping and landscaping activities where 
ground disturbance is limited to previously disturbed areas (e.g., 
previously filled paved, or cleared areas).''
    NOAA proposes to make minor revisions to CE 6.03c.3(e) by breaking 
out a portion of this CE into a separate CE. These types of actions are 
already covered in the portion of CE 6.03c.3(e) in ``grounds-keeping 
activities.'' The CE is limited to activities where ground disturbance 
is limited to previously disturbed areas. The proposed revisions do not 
result in a substantial change in scope or applicability from the CE in 
the 1999 NAO.
    [F5.] ``Installation, operation, maintenance, improvements, repair, 
upgrade, removal, and/or replacement of instruments or instrument 
systems in or on:
    1. An existing structure or object (e.g., tower, antenna, building, 
pier, buoy, terrestrial vehicle, or bridge) or
    2. On previously disturbed (e.g., filled, paved, or cleared) 
ground, or
    3. On undisturbed ground, if the equipment installation, operation, 
and removal will require no or minimal ground disturbance.''
    Microwave/radio communications towers and antennas must be limited 
to 200 feet in height without guy wires. NOAA proposes a new CE to 
cover activities of installing, operating, repairing, maintaining, 
upgrading, removing and/or replacing instruments or instrument systems 
in or on an existing structure or object, or on previously disturbed 
ground or on undisturbed ground that involve either no or minimal 
ground disturbance.
    [F6.] ``The determination that real property is excess to the needs 
of the Agency, when the real property is excessed in conformity with 
General Services Administration procedures or is legislatively 
authorized to be excessed.''
    NOAA proposes a new CE to cover declarations of real property as 
excess in conformance with General Services Administration procedures 
or as legislatively authorized.
    [F7.] ``The disposal, demolition or removal of real property and 
related improvements, buildings and structures, including associated 
site restoration,

[[Page 81072]]

and the disposal of personal property and debris in accordance with all 
applicable agency procedures and legal requirements.''
    NOAA proposes a new CE to cover the disposal, demolition or removal 
of real property and related improvements, buildings and structures, 
including associated restoration, and the disposal of property and 
debris in accordance with all applicable Agency procedures.

Operation Actions

    [G1.] ``Routine administrative actions such as (1) program 
planning, direction and evaluation, (2) administrative tasks, services 
and support including personnel and fiscal management, advisory 
services, document and policy preparation, and records management, and 
(3) development, establishment, and revisions to documents including, 
but not limited to interagency agreements, memoranda of understanding, 
memoranda of agreement, cooperative agreements, and university 
agreements. This CE does not include any associated activities proposed 
in these documents beyond the administrative task of creating and 
establishing the document. Actions subsequently funded by or undertaken 
pursuant to the approved documents may require additional NEPA review 
at the time those actions are proposed.''
    NOAA proposes to break out a portion of CE 6.03c.3(d) to explicitly 
cover program planning, direction and evaluation; administrative tasks; 
development, establishment and revisions to administrative documents, 
including interagency agreements, memoranda of understanding, memoranda 
of agreement, cooperative agreements, and university agreements. Many 
of these types of activities are already covered in the portion of the 
1999 NAO 6.03c.3(d) in ``program planning and budgeting, including 
strategic planning and operational planning . . . executive direction; 
administrative services.'' The proposed revision to break out a portion 
of the 1999 CE does not result in a significant change in scope or 
applicability from the CE in the 1999 NAO.
    [G2.] ``Routine movement of mobile assets, such as vessels and 
aircraft, for homeport reassignments or repair/overhaul, where no new 
support facilities are required.''
    NOAA proposes to break out a portion of CE 6.03c.3(d) to explicitly 
cover routine movement of mobile assets. These types of activities are 
already covered in the portion of the 1999 NAO 6.03c.3(d) in ``ship and 
aircraft operations.'' The CE is limited to the routine movement of 
mobile assets for homeport reassignments or repair/overhaul, where no 
new support facilities to ensure that activities encompassed by the CE 
have no potential for significant effects on the environment under 
normal circumstances.
    [G3.] ``Topographic, bathymetric, land use and land cover, 
geological, hydrologic mapping, charting, and surveying services that 
do not involve major surface or subsurface land disturbance and involve 
no permanent physical, chemical, or biological change to the 
environment.''
    NOAA proposes to break out and revise a portion of CE 6.03c.3(d) to 
cover certain mapping and surveying services and activities. Many of 
these types of activities are already covered in the portion of the 
1999 NAO 6.03c.3(d) in ``mapping, charting, and surveying services.'' 
The CE is limited to activities that do not involve major surface or 
subsurface land disturbance and involve no permanent physical, 
chemical, or biological change to environment. The Working Group 
determined these limitations were necessary to ensure the activities 
encompassed by the CE have no potential for significant effects on the 
environment under normal circumstances.
    [G4.] ``Basic environmental services and monitoring, such as 
weather observations, communications, analyses, and predictions; 
environmental satellite operations and services; digital and physical 
environmental data and information services; air and water quality 
observations and analysis, and IT operations. All such activities must 
be conducted within existing facilities.''
    [G4.] ``Basic environmental services and monitoring, such as 
weather observations, communications, analyses, and predictions; 
environmental satellite operations and services; digital and physical 
environmental data and information services; air and water quality 
observations and analysis, and IT operations. All such activities must 
be conducted within existing facilities.''
    NOAA proposes to break out a portion of CE 6.03c.3(d) to explicitly 
cover environmental satellite and environmental data and information 
service activities, environmental service activities, and air quality 
observations and analysis activities. These types of activities are 
already covered in the portion of the 1999 NAO 6.03c.3(d) in ``basic 
environmental services and monitoring, such as weather observations, 
communications, analyses, and predictions; environmental satellite 
services; environmental data and information services;'' and ``air 
quality observations and analysis.'' The proposed revision to break out 
a portion of the 1999 CE does not result in any change in scope of 
applicability from the CE in the 1999 NAO.
    [G5.] ``Enforcement operations conducted under legislative mandate 
such as the MSA, ESA, MMPA, the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (Lacey), 
and/or the National Marine Sanctuaries Act. This does not include 
bringing judicial or administrative civil or criminal enforcement 
actions which are outside the scope of NEPA in accordance with 40 CFR 
1508.18(a).''
    NOAA proposes to break out a portion of CE 6.03c.3(d) to explicitly 
cover enforcement operations. These types of actions are already 
covered in the portion of the 1999 NAO 6.03c.3(d) in ``enforcement 
operations.'' As noted in the language of the CE, 40 CFR 1508.18(a) 
provides that major federal actions subject to NEPA do not include 
``bringing judicial or administrative civil or criminal enforcement 
actions.'' Accordingly, this CE only covers those enforcement 
operations outside of this scope that would not otherwise be excluded 
from NEPA. The proposed revision to break out a portion of the 1999 CE 
does not result in any change in scope or applicability from the CE in 
the 1999 NAO.
    [G6.] ``Actions that change the NEXRAD radar coverage patterns that 
do not lower the lowest scan elevation and do not result in direct 
scanning of previously non-scanned terrain by the NEXRAD main beam.''
    NOAA proposes no substantive changes to CE 6.03c.3(h). The phrase 
``actions that'' was added for grammatical reasons. The proposed 
revision to break out a portion of the 1999 CE does not result in any 
change in scope or applicability from the CE in the 1999 NAO.
    [G7.] ``Preparation of policy directives, rules, regulations, and 
guidelines of an administrative, financial, legal, technical, or 
procedural nature, or for which the environmental effects are too 
broad, speculative or conjectural to lend themselves to meaningful 
analysis and will be subject later to the NEPA process, either 
collectively or on a case-by-case basis.''
    NOAA proposes to break out a portion of CE 6.03c.3(i) to explicitly 
cover policy directives, order, regulations, and guidance. These types 
of activities are already covered in the portion of the 1999 NAO 
6.03c.3(i) in ``preparation of regulations, Orders, manuals or other 
guidance that implement, but do not substantially change these 
documents''

[[Page 81073]]

and ``policy directives, regulations, and guidelines of an 
administrative financial, legal, technical, or procedures nature, or 
the environmental effects of which are too broad, speculative, or 
conjectural to lend themselves to meaningful analysis and will be 
subject later to the NEPA process, either collectively or case-by-
case.'' The proposed revision to break out a portion of the 1999 CE 
does not result in any change in scope or applicability from the CE in 
the 1999 NAO.
    [G8.] ``Activities that are educational, informational, or advisory 
to other agencies, public and private entities, visitors, individuals, 
or the general public, including training exercises and simulations.''
    NOAA proposes to break out a portion of CE 6.03c.3(i) to explicitly 
cover educational, informational, advisory, and consultative 
activities. These types of activities are already covered in the 
portion of the 1999 NAO 6.03c.3(i) in ``activities which are 
educational, informational, advisory, or consultative to other 
agencies, public and private entities, visitors, individuals or the 
general public.'' The Working Group determined that expressly including 
training exercises and simulations in the text of the CE clarified its 
scope and applicability for decision makers. The proposed revision to 
break out a portion of the 1999 CE does not result in any change in 
scope or applicability from the CE in the 1999 NAO.
    [G9.] ``Actions taken to identify, determine sources of, assess, 
prevent, reduce, remove, dispose, or recycle marine debris when removal 
is undertaken in a non-destructive manner and actions are in accordance 
with Federal, State, and local laws and regulations for environmental 
protection, and where all relevant regulatory consultation, and/or 
permit requirements have been satisfied.''
    NOAA proposes a new CE to cover actions taken to identify, 
determine sources of, assess, prevent, reduce, remove, dispose, or 
recycle marine debris. The CE is limited by the requirement that 
actions encompassed by the CE must be undertaken in a non-destructive 
manner and in accordance with Federal, State, and local laws and 
regulations for environmental protection and all relevant regulatory 
consultation and/or permit requirements have been satisfied.

Acquisition and Leasing Actions

    [H1.] ``Procurement of labor, equipment, materials, data and 
software needed to execute mission requirements in accordance with 
applicable procurement regulations, executive orders, and policies. 
This includes, but is not limited to, procurement of mobile and 
portable equipment that is stored in existing structures or 
facilities.''
    NOAA proposes to break out a portion of CE 6.03c.3(e) and broaden 
the coverage of the CE to include activities to procure labor, 
equipment, materials, and software necessary to execute NOAA's mission, 
including, but not limited to the purchase of mobile and portable 
equipment to be stored in existing structures or facilities. A portion 
of these activities are already covered in the portion of the 1999 NAO 
6.0303.c(e) in ``procurement contracts for NEPA documents.''
    [H2.] ``Procurement of space by purchase or lease of or within an 
existing facility or structure in accordance with applicable 
procurement regulations, executive orders, and policies when there is 
no change in the general type of use, no new construction of buildings 
or utilities, and minimal change in design from the previous occupancy 
level.''
    NOAA proposes to break out a portion of CE 6.03c.3(e) to explicitly 
cover procurement by purchase or lease of space within a previously 
occupied structure. These types of activities are already covered in 
the portion of the 1999 NAO 6.03c.3(e) in ``acquisitions of space 
within an existing previously occupied structure, either by purchase or 
lease, where no change in the general type or use and minimal change 
from previous occupancy level is proposed.'' The proposed revision to 
break out a portion of the 1999 CE does not result in any change in 
scope or applicability from the CE in the 1999 NAO.
    [H3.] ``Outgranting of government-controlled property in accordance 
with applicable regulations, executive orders, and policies to a 
Federal entity for any purpose consistent with the existing land or 
facility use or to a non-Federal entity, when the use will remain 
substantially the same.''
    NOAA proposes to break out a portion of the CE in the 1999 NAO 
6.03c.3(e) to explicitly cover outgranting of government-controlled 
space. These types of activities are already covered in the portion of 
the 1999 NAO 6.03c.3(e) in ``out-lease or license of government-
controlled space, or sublease of government-leased space to a non-
Federal tenant when the use will remain substantially the same.'' The 
proposed revision to break out a portion of the 1999 CE does not result 
in any change in scope or applicability from the CE in the 1999 NAO; 
the change in terminology from ``out-lease'' to outgranting is intended 
to more accurately capture the type of action covered.
    [H4.] ``Acquisition of real property (including fee simple estates, 
leaseholds, and easements) that is not acquired through condemnation of 
a lease interest, and will not result in significant change in use and 
does not involve construction or modification.''
    NOAA proposes to break out a portion of the CE in the 1999 NAO 
6.03c.3(e) to explicitly cover procurement and lease of land. These 
types of activities are already covered in the portion of the 1999.
    NAO 6.03c.3(e) in ``acquisition of land which is not in a 
floodplain or other environmentally sensitive area and does not result 
in condemnation.'' NOAA proposes to remove the portion of the CE 
explicitly stating ``which is not in a floodplain or other 
environmentally sensitive area.'' NOAA revised its extraordinary 
circumstances to include environmental, historic, or cultural unique 
areas and floodplains, and therefore no longer required the text to be 
explicit within this CE. The proposed revision to break out a portion 
of the 1999 CE does not result in any change in scope or applicability 
from the CE in the 1999 NAO.
    [H5.] ``Granting easements or rights of entry to use NOAA 
controlled property for activities that, if conducted by NOAA, could be 
categorically excluded. Grants of easements or rights-of-way for the 
use of NOAA controlled real property complementing the use of existing 
rights-of-way or real property use for use by vehicles (not to include 
significant increases in vehicle loading); electrical, telephone, and 
other transmission and communication lines; water, wastewater, 
stormwater, and irrigation pipelines, pumping stations, and facilities; 
and similar utility and transportation uses.''
    NOAA proposes to create a new categorical exclusion to encompass 
the activity of granting an easement or right of entry to use NOAA-
controlled property for activities that could be categorically excluded 
if conducted by NOAA.
    [H6.] ``Relocation of employees into existing Federally-owned or 
commercially leased office space within the same metropolitan area not 
involving a substantial increase in the number of motor or other 
vehicles at a facility.''
    NOAA proposes to break out a portion of CE 6.03c.3(e) to explicitly 
cover relocation of employees. These types of actions are already 
covered in the portion of the 1999 NAO 9.03c.3(e) in ``relocation of 
employees into existing Federally-owned or commercially

[[Page 81074]]

leased office space within the same metropolitan area not involving a 
substantial number of employees or a substantial increase in the number 
of motor vehicles at a facility.'' The proposed revision to break out a 
portion of the 1999 CE does not result in any change in scope or 
applicability from the CE in the 1999 NAO.
    [H7.] ``Transferring real property to a non-Federal entity, an 
agency other than GSA, as well as to States, local agencies and Indian 
Tribes, including return of public domain lands to the Department of 
the Interior.''
    NOAA proposes a new CE to cover the transfer of real property to a 
federal agency other than the General Services Administration as well 
as to a non-Federal entity, including States, local agencies, and 
Indian tribes. This proposed CE also applies to the return of public 
domain lands to the Department of the Interior.

    Dated: November 9, 2016.
Lois J. Schiffer,
General Counsel, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2016-27567 Filed 11-16-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-12-P