[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 245 (Friday, December 20, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 70328-70353]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-26336]



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Vol. 84

Friday,

No. 245

December 20, 2019

Part III





 Department of Defense





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Department of the Army





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32 CFR Part 651





Environmental Analysis of Army Actions; Proposed Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 84 , No. 245 / Friday, December 20, 2019 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 70328]]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

32 CFR Part 651

[Docket ID: USA-2019-HQ-0017]

RIN 0702-AB02


Environmental Analysis of Army Actions

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Army is revising its procedures for 
implementing the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and 
the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) NEPA regulations. These 
proposed revisions clarify and update the regulation, incorporate 
current Army NEPA procedures and practices, and revise and add 
categorical exclusions (CXs), reduce paperwork and delays, and promote 
better decisions consistent with national environmental policy set 
forth in NEPA.

DATES: Consideration will be given to all comments received by February 
18, 2020.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by 32 CFR part 651, 
Docket No. USA-2019-HQ-0017 and/or by Regulatory Information Number 
(RIN) 0702-AB02 or by any of the following methods:
    [squ] Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    [squ] Mail: Department of Defense, Office of the Chief Management 
Officer, Directorate for Oversight and Compliance, 4800 Mark Center 
Drive, Mailbox #24, Suite 08D09, Alexandria, VA 22350-1700.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name 
and docket number or RIN for this Federal Register document. The 
general policy for comments and other submissions from members of the 
public is to make these submissions available for public viewing at 
http://www.regulations.gov as they are received without change, 
including any personal identifiers or contact information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Guldenzopf, Ph.D., Office of the 
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, Environmental, Safety, and 
Occupational Health, Director for Environmental Quality, (571) 256-
7822.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

A. Background and Authority for This Rulemaking

    This rule is a revision of the Department of the Army procedures at 
32 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 651 for implementing the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) last revised on March 
29, 2002 and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) NEPA 
regulations, CFR parts 1500-1508.
    NEPA establishes national policy and goals for protection of the 
environment. Section 102(2) of NEPA contains certain procedural 
requirements for the attainment of these goals. In particular, all 
Federal agencies are required to give appropriate consideration to the 
environmental effects of their proposed actions in their decision-
making and to prepare detailed environmental statements on 
recommendations or reports significantly affecting the quality of the 
human environment.
    Authorities for this rule are 5 U.S.C. 301, NEPA, and 40 CFR parts 
1500-1508. Under 5 U.S.C. 301, the head of a military department may 
prescribe regulations for the government of the department, the conduct 
of its employees, the distribution and performance of its business, and 
the custody, use, and preservation of its records, papers, and 
property. NEPA requires Federal agencies to analyze their proposed 
actions to determine if they could have significant environmental 
effects. The CEQ NEPA implementing regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508) 
require Federal agencies to adopt supplemental NEPA implementing 
procedures, including agency-specific CXs, and to provide opportunity 
for public review prior to adoption (40 CFR 1507.3).

B. Process Used by Army in the Development of the Proposed Revisions

    The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and 
Environment, as the Army proponent of this regulation, directed the 
revision of this part to align the regulation with current Army 
practices and procedures, and update CXs.
    A subject matter expert team was formed to analyze and contribute 
to the development of the revision. The professionals comprising the 
team were current Army environmental experts with significant NEPA 
planning and compliance experience, including the preparation of 
environmental documentation such as CX records of environmental 
consideration, environmental assessments (EAs), environmental impact 
statements (EISs), findings of no significant impact, and records of 
decision. Army subject matter experts were supported by a legal working 
group comprised of experienced environmental law attorneys from the 
Army's Office of the General Counsel, Office of the Judge Advocate 
General, and Command-level Staff Judge Advocates with advanced 
education and experience, providing legal and policy advice to Federal 
agency decision-makers, managers, and practitioners on environmental 
planning and compliance responsibilities.
    To determine if changes should be considered for existing CXs and 
if new CXs should be considered, Army environmental subject matter 
experts reviewed numerous existing NEPA documents to determine classes 
of actions which, when implemented, resulted in no significant 
individual or cumulative environmental effects. The Army reviewed other 
federal agency CXs to identify actions similar to those frequently 
carried out by the Army, and evaluated these other agency CXs to 
determine classes of actions for which a similar Army CX would be 
appropriate. Each CX that currently appears in the existing 32 CFR part 
651, in addition to the proposed new CXs, was carefully reviewed in 
concept, coverage, applicability, and wording. Each revised and new CX 
was cautiously crafted with the goal of balancing increased 
administrative efficiency in NEPA compliance while avoiding the 
potential for misinterpretations and misapplications of exclusionary 
language that could lead to non-compliance with NEPA requirements. The 
Army carefully considered the anticipated cumulative impacts of each 
proposed new or revised CX, relying upon either the experiences of 
other Federal agencies' application of their own CXs, the cumulative 
effects analyses contained within the Army's NEPA analyses (both site-
specific/project-level and programmatic), or both. In summary, the Army 
developed the proposed new and modified CXs and associated 
administrative records to conform to the requirements of NEPA as well 
as the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), its implementing 
regulations, and the subsequent body of case law pertaining to the 
APA's application as it relates to NEPA.
    The CEQ was integral in the process to ensure that proposed changes 
to the Army's CXs meet NEPA requirements. Army provided the CEQ with 
proposed draft changes and justifications for each proposed change to 
32 CFR part 651. Many of the changes that the Army is proposing are 
administrative in nature to clarify application of a particular CX.

[[Page 70329]]

    All changes to the CXs are substantiated within the 
``Administrative Record for Revisions to Department of the Army 
Categorical Exclusions'', available for review at https://denix.osd.mil/army-32cfr651/.

C. Summary of the Proposed Changes

1. Proposed Revisions Generally

    The proposed rule fully revises the Department of the Army NEPA 
procedures. The revisions to the proposed regulation include a 
reorganization and consolidation of the subparts. The changes were made 
to reduce repetitive language, to simplify and streamline the rule, and 
to update procedures to align with current Army organization and 
policies. The proposed revisions and rationale are provided in Table 1.

                                      Table 1--Proposed Revisions Generally
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Proposed
             Subpart                    Section          subpart     Proposed section           Rationale
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A--Introduction.................  651.1 Purpose......          A   651.1 Purpose,       Update section title and
                                                                    Scope, and           content, reorganization
                                                                    Applicability.       and reduction of
                                                                                         section paragraphs to
                                                                                         simplify and organize
                                                                                         requirements.
                                  651.2 References...          A   651.2 References...  Minor updates to
                                                                                         content.
                                  651.3 Explanation            A   651.3 Definitions,   Update section title and
                                   of abbreviations                 Terms, and           content, addition of
                                   and terms.                       Abbreviations.       section paragraphs
                                                                                         introduce key terms
                                                                                         upfront to eliminate
                                                                                         confusion.
                                  651.4                        A   651.5 Army NEPA      Reorganization of
                                   Responsibilities.                Compliance           sections to list
                                                                    Responsibilities.    responsibilities prior
                                                                                         to policy, new section
                                                                                         title, new section
                                                                                         number, and update of
                                                                                         content to incorporate
                                                                                         current Army
                                                                                         organization and
                                                                                         policy.
                                  651.5 Army Policies          A   651.4 Army NEPA      Reorganization of
                                                                    Policy.              sections and update of
                                                                                         content to incorporate
                                                                                         current Army
                                                                                         organization and
                                                                                         policy.
                                  651.6 NEPA analysis          A   651.5 Army NEPA      Reorganization of
                                   staffing.                        Compliance           sections to consolidate
                                                                    Responsibilities.    all responsibilities
                                                                                         and update of content
                                                                                         to incorporate current
                                                                                         Army organization and
                                                                                         policy.
                                  651.7 Delegation of          A   651.5 Army NEPA      Reorganization of
                                   authority for non-               Compliance           sections to consolidate
                                   acquisition                      Responsibilities.    all responsibilities
                                   systems.                                              into one section and
                                                                                         update of content to
                                                                                         incorporate current
                                                                                         Army organization and
                                                                                         policy.
                                  651.8 Disposition            A   651.5 Army NEPA      Reorganization of
                                   of final documents.              Compliance           sections to consolidate
                                                                    Responsibilities.    all responsibilities
                                                                                         into one section to
                                                                                         incorporate current
                                                                                         Army organization and
                                                                                         policy
B--NEPA and the Decision Process  651.9 Introduction.  ..........  Removed............  Language/section
                                  651.10 Actions               B   651.6 Army NEPA       obsolete.
                                   Requiring                        Review.             Reorganization of
                                   environmental                                         sections to consolidate
                                   analysis.                                             NEPA procedures into
                                                                                         one section, update of
                                                                                         content to incorporate
                                                                                         current Army
                                                                                         procedures.
                                  651.11                       B   651.6 Army NEPA      Reorganization of
                                   Environmental                    Review.              sections to consolidate
                                   review categories.                                    NEPA procedures into
                                                                                         one section, update of
                                                                                         content to incorporate
                                                                                         current Army
                                                                                         procedures.
                                  651.12 Determining           B   651.6 Army NEPA      Reorganization of
                                   appropriate level                Review.              sections to consolidate
                                   of NEPA analysis.                                     NEPA procedures into
                                                                                         one section, update of
                                                                                         content to incorporate
                                                                                         current Army
                                                                                         procedures.
                                  651.13 Classified            B   651.8 Security       Reorganization of
                                   actions.                         Review and           section (new title and
                                                                    Clearance Policy     new section number) and
                                                                    for NEPA Documents.  update of content to
                                                                                         incorporate current
                                                                                         Army procedures for
                                                                                         security reviews.
                                  651.14 Integration           B   651.7 NEPA           Reorganization of
                                   with Army planning.              Principles and       sections to consolidate
                                                                    Practices.           NEPA principles and
                                                                                         practices into one
                                                                                         section, update of
                                                                                         content to incorporate
                                                                                         current Army
                                                                                         procedures.
                                  651.15 Mitigation            B   651.7 NEPA           Reorganization of
                                   and monitoring.                  Principles and       sections to consolidate
                                                                    Practices.           NEPA principles and
                                                                                         practices into one
                                                                                         section, update of
                                                                                         content to incorporate
                                                                                         current Army
                                                                                         procedures.
                                  651.16 Cumulative            B   651.7 NEPA           Reorganization of
                                   impacts.                         Principles and       sections to consolidate
                                                                    Practices.           NEPA principles and
                                                                                         practices into one
                                                                                         section, update of
                                                                                         content to incorporate
                                                                                         current Army
                                                                                         procedures.
                                  651.17               ..........  Deleted............  Environmental justice
                                   Environmental                                         addressed through other
                                   justice.                                              compliance processes.
C--Records and Documents........  651.18 Introduction  ..........  Removed............  Language/section
                                                                                         obsolete.
                                  651.19 Record of             B   651.6 Army NEPA      Reorganization of
                                   environmental                    Review.              sections to consolidate
                                   consideration.                                        NEPA review procedures
                                                                                         into one section.
                                  651.20                       B   651.6 Army NEPA      Reorganization of
                                   Environmental                    Review.              sections to consolidate
                                   assessment.                                           NEPA review procedures
                                                                                         into one section.
                                  651.21 Finding of            B   651.6 Army NEPA      Reorganization of
                                   No Significant                   Review.              sections to consolidate
                                   Impact.                                               NEPA review procedures
                                                                                         into one section.
                                  651.22 Notice of             B   651.6 Army NEPA      Reorganization of
                                   intent.                          Review.              sections to consolidate
                                                                                         NEPA review procedures
                                                                                         into one section.
                                  651.23                       B   651.6 Army NEPA      Reorganization of
                                   Environmental                    Review.              sections to consolidate
                                   Impact Statement.                                     NEPA review procedures
                                                                                         into one section.
                                  651.24 Supplemental          B   651.7 NEPA           Reorganization of
                                   EAs and                          Principles and       sections to consolidate
                                   Supplemental EISs.               Practices.           NEPA principles and
                                                                                         practices into one
                                                                                         section, update of
                                                                                         content to incorporate
                                                                                         current Army
                                                                                         procedures.
                                  651.25 Notice of             B   651.6 Army NEPA      Reorganization of
                                   availability.                    Review.              sections to consolidate
                                                                                         NEPA review procedures
                                                                                         into one section.
                                  651.26 Record of             B   651.6 Army NEPA      Reorganization of
                                   Decision.                        Review.              sections to consolidate
                                                                                         NEPA review procedures
                                                                                         into one section.
                                  651.27 Programmatic          B   651.6 Army NEPA      Reorganization of
                                   NEPA Analyses.                   Review.              sections to consolidate
                                                                                         NEPA review procedures
                                                                                         into one section.
D--Categorical Exclusions.......  651.28 Introduction  ..........  Removed............  Language/section
                                                                                         obsolete.
                                  651.29 Determining            C  651.11 Army CX       Changes to extraordinary
                                   when to use a CX                 Screening Criteria.  circumstances are
                                   (screening                                            provided in the
                                   criteria).                                            Categorical Exclusions
                                                                                         Administrative Record
                                                                                         (https://denix.osd.mil/army-32cfr651).

[[Page 70330]]

 
                                  651.30 CX actions..           C  651.12 Army CXs....  Administrative change:
                                                                                         Section number change,
                                                                                         title change
                                  651.31 Modification           C  651.12 Army CXs....  Administrative change:
                                   to the CX list.                                       Section number change,
                                                                                         title change.
E--Environmental Assessment.....  651.32 Introduction          D   651.13 Introduction  Section number update
                                  651.33 Actions               D   651.14 Actions        due to regulation
                                   normally requiring               Normally Requiring   reorganization.
                                   an EA.                           an EA.              Section number update
                                                                                         due to regulation
                                                                                         reorganization.
                                  651.34 EA                    D   651.15 Contents of   Reorganization of
                                   Components.                      the EA. 651.16       sections to clarify EA
                                                                    Contents of the      requirements.
                                                                    FONSI.
                                  651.35 Decision              D   651.17 EA Review     Reorganization of
                                   process.                         Process.             sections to clarify EA
                                                                                         requirements.
                                  651.36 Public                D   651.17 EA Review     Reorganization of
                                   involvement.                     Process.             sections to clarify EA
                                                                                         requirements.
                                  651.37 Public                D   651.17 EA Review     Reorganization of
                                   availability.                    Process.             sections to clarify EA
                                                                                         requirements.
                                  651.38 Existing              B   651.7 NEPA           Reorganization of
                                   Environmental                    Principles and       sections to consolidate
                                   Assessments.                     Practices.           NEPA principles and
                                                                                         practices into one
                                                                                         section, update of
                                                                                         content to incorporate
                                                                                         current Army
                                                                                         procedures.
                                  651.39 Significance          E   651.19 Actions       Moved to the EIS section
                                                                    Normally Requiring   to consolidate with
                                                                    an EIS.              actions normally
                                                                                         requiring EIS
                                                                                         discussion.
F--Environmental Impact           651.40 Introduction  ..........  651.18 Introduction  Section number update
 Statement.                       651.41 Conditions            E   651.19 Actions        due to regulation
                                   requiring an EIS.           E    Normally Requiring   reorganization.
                                  651.42 Actions               E    an EIS.             Section number update
                                   normally requiring              651.19 Actions        due to regulation
                                   an EIS.                          Normally Requiring   reorganization.
                                  651.43 Format of                  an EIS.             Section number and title
                                   the EIS.                        651.20 Contents of    update due to
                                  651.44 Incomplete                 the EIS.             regulation
                                   Information.                    651.21 Incomplete     reorganization.
                                                                    or Unavailable      Section number and title
                                                                    Information.         update due to
                                                                                         regulation
                                                                                         reorganization.
                                                                                        Section number and title
                                                                                         update due to
                                                                                         regulation
                                                                                         reorganization.
                                  651.45 Steps in              E   651.22 EIS Process,  Reorganization and
                                   preparing and                    651.23 Record of     breakdown of EIS
                                   processing an EIS.               Decision, 651.24     requirements for
                                                                    Implementation of    clarity.
                                                                    Decision, 651.25
                                                                    Federal Register
                                                                    Publication of
                                                                    Army Actions.
                                  651.46 Existing              B   651.7 NEPA           Reorganization of
                                   EISs.                            Principles and       sections to consolidate
                                                                    Practices.           NEPA principles and
                                                                                         practices into one
                                                                                         section.
G--Public Involvement and the     651.47 Public        A, D and E  651.4 Army NEPA      Incorporation of public
 Scoping Process.                  involvement.                     Policy, 651.5 Army   involvement procedures
                                                                    NEPA Compliance      for various NEPA
                                                                    Responsibilities,    activities throughout
                                                                    651.16 Contents of   the regulation.
                                                                    the FONSI, 651.22
                                                                    EIS Process.
                                  651.48 Scoping               E   651.22 EIS Process.  Reorganization of
                                   Process.                                              sections to consolidate
                                                                                         EIS requirements.
                                  651.49 Preliminary           E   651.22 EIS Process.  Reorganization of
                                   Phase.                                                sections to consolidate
                                                                                         EIS requirements.
                                  651.50 Public                E   651.22 EIS Process.  Reorganization of
                                   interaction phase.                                    sections to consolidate
                                                                                         EIS requirements.
                                  651.51 The Final             E   651.22 EIS Process.  Reorganization of
                                   phase.                                                sections to consolidate
                                                                                         EIS requirements.
                                  651.52 Aids to               E   651.22 EIS Process.  Reorganization of
                                   information                                           sections to consolidate
                                   gathering.                                            EIS requirements.
                                  651.53               ..........  Deleted............  Language/section
                                   Modifications of                                      obsolete.
                                   the scoping
                                   process.
H--Environmental effects of       651.54 Introduction          G   651.28 Overview....  Section number and title
 major army action abroad.                                                               update due to
                                                                                         regulation
                                                                                         reorganization.
                                  651.55 Categorical           G   654.29 Use of        Section number and title
                                   exclusions.                      Categorical          update due to
                                                                    Exclusions.          regulation
                                                                                         reorganization.
                                  651.56                       A   651.5 Army NEPA      Reorganization of
                                   Responsibilities.                Compliance           sections to consolidate
                                                                    Responsibilities.    responsibilities into
                                                                                         one section to
                                                                                         incorporate current
                                                                                         Army organization and
                                                                                         policy.
Appendices                        Appendix A--         ..........  Appendix A--         Appendix updated to
                                   References.                      References.          incorporate current
                                                                                         references.
                                  Appendix B--                  C  Subpart C (651.9-    Reorganization of the
                                   Categorical                      651.12).             regulation for ease of
                                   exclusions.                                           use--CX list
                                                                                         incorporated into
                                                                                         Subpart C. Changes to
                                                                                         CXs are discussed on
                                                                                         page 11.
                                  Appendix C--         ..........  Subpart F (651.26    Incorporated within
                                   Mitigation and                   Mitigation and       Subpart F for
                                   monitoring.                      651.27 Mitigation    consolidation purposes.
                                                                    and Monitoring).
                                  Appendix D--Public   ..........  Subpart F (651.22).  Incorporated within
                                   participation plan.                                   Subpart F for
                                                                                         consolidation purposes.
                                  Appendix E--Content  ..........  Subpart F (651.22).  Incorporated within
                                   of the                                                Subpart F for
                                   Environmental                                         consolidation purposes.
                                   Impact Statement.
                                  Appendix F--         ..........  Appendix B.........  Appendix number update
                                   Glossary.                                             due to regulation
                                                                                         reorganization,
                                                                                         definitions updated.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 70331]]

2. Proposed Revisions to Categorical Exclusions

    32 CFR part 651, appendix B, lists the current Army CXs. The CX 
list has been integrated into the proposed subpart C, ``Categorical 
Exclusions and Records of Environmental Consideration''.

D. Expected Impact of the Proposed Rule

    The proposed rule revises internal Army procedures allowing for 
consistent implementation across the Army for NEPA responsibilities. 
Promulgating CXs will reduce government spending on compliance and 
shorten project timelines for those activities that do not need a 
detailed analysis. The Army currently prepares approximately 8,000 CXs 
annually. The Army expects the proposed changes will increase use of 
CXs and shorten project approvals.

E. Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) and Executive 
Order 13563 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review)

    Executive Orders 13563 and 12866 direct agencies to assess all 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public 
health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). This rule 
has been designated a ``significant regulatory action'', although not 
economically significant, under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866 
and was submitted to OMB for review. The revision is not a ``major'' 
rule within the meaning of Executive Order 12866 and the Congressional 
Review Act.

F. Executive Order 13771 (Reducing Regulation and Controlling 
Regulatory Costs)

    This proposed rule is not expected to be subject to the 
requirements of E.O. 13771 (82 FR 9339, February 3, 2017) because it is 
expected to be related to agency organization and management.

G. Alternatives

    1. No Action. No action would result in continued use of the 
current regulation that contains outdated roles, responsibilities, 
procedures, and a limited CX list. This would result in increasing 
inefficiencies in Army NEPA analyses and could unnecessarily delay Army 
actions which do not individually or cumulatively have a significant 
effect on the human environment.
    2. Next Best Alternative. The next best alternative to a complete 
revision of the regulation would be a revision of the CXs only. This 
would allow for use of new CXs instead of preparation of environmental 
assessments, but would not address changes and resulting inefficiencies 
in Army roles, responsibilities and procedures that have changed 
significantly since the regulation was first published in 2002.

H. The Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Army has determined this this action is not subject to the 
relevant provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5, U.S.C. 601.

I. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    The Army has determined that the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act does 
not apply because the proposed rule does not include a mandate that may 
result in estimated costs to State, local, or tribal governments in the 
aggregate, or the private sector, of $100 million or more.

J. National Environmental Policy Act and Executive Order 12898 (Federal 
Actions To Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and 
Low-Income Populations)

    This Part implements the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(NEPA), and specifies the Army's policies and responsibilities for the 
early integration of environmental considerations into planning and 
decision-making. Army has determined that the proposed regulations 
would not have a significant effect on the environment because they do 
not authorize any activity or commit resources to a project that may 
affect the environment. Therefore, Army does not intend to conduct a 
NEPA analysis of these proposed regulations for the same reason that 
CEQ does not require any Federal agency to conduct NEPA analysis for 
the development of agency procedures for the implementation of NEPA and 
the CEQ regulations.
    E.O. 12898 requires agencies to make achieving environmental 
justice part of its mission by identifying and addressing, as 
appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse human health or 
environmental effects of its programs, policies, and activities on 
minority populations and low-income populations. Army has analyzed this 
proposed rule and determined that it would not cause disproportionately 
high and adverse human health or environmental effects on minority 
populations and low-income populations.

K. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Army has determined that this proposed rule does not impose 
reporting or recordkeeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995.

L. Executive Order 12630 (Government Actions and Interference With 
Constitutionally Protected Property Rights)

    The Army has determined that Executive Order 12630 does not apply 
because the proposed rule does not impair private property rights.

M. Executive Order 13045 (Protection of Children From Environmental 
Health Risk and Safety Risks)

    The rule is issued with respect to existing environmental 
guidelines and laws. Therefore, this rule should not directly impact 
this executive order.

N. Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)

    Executive Order 13132 requires that Executive departments and 
agencies identify regulatory actions that have significant federalism 
implications. A regulation has federalism implications if it has 
substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship or 
distribution of power between the Federal Government and the States, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among various levels 
of Government. This organization has determined that this rule has no 
federalism implications that warrant the preparation of a Federalism 
Assessment in accordance with Executive Order 13132.

List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 651

    Categorical exclusions, Environmental analysis, Environmental 
assessments, Environmental impact statements.


0
For reasons stated in the preamble, the Department of the Army proposes 
to revise 32 CFR part 651 to read as follows:

PART 651--ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS OF ARMY ACTIONS

Sec.
Subpart A-Introduction
651.1 Purpose, scope, and applicability.
651.2 References.
651.3 Definitions, terms, and abbreviations.
651.4 Army NEPA policy.
651.5 Army NEPA compliance responsibilities.
Subpart B--Army National Environmental Policy Act Implementation
651.6 Army NEPA review.
651.7 NEPA principles and practices.
651.8 Security Review and Clearance Policy for NEPA documents.

[[Page 70332]]

Subpart C--Categorical Exclusions and Records of Environmental 
Consideration
651.9 Categorical exclusions and screening criteria general 
information.
651.10 Record of environmental consideration.
651.11 Army CX screening criteria.
651.12 Army CXs.
Subpart D--Environmental Assessments
651.13 Introduction.
651.14 Actions normally requiring an EA.
651.15 Contents of the EA.
651.16 Contents of the FONSI.
651.17 EA review process.
Subpart E--Environmental Impact Statements
651.18 Introduction.
651.19 Actions normally requiring an EIS.
651.20 Contents of the EIS.
651.21 Incomplete or unavailable information.
651.22 EIS process.
651.23 Record of decision.
651.24 Implementation of decision.
651.25 Federal Register publication of Army actions.
Subpart F--Mitigation and Monitoring
651.26 Mitigation.
651.27 Mitigation monitoring and enforcement.
Subpart G--Environmental Effects of Major Army Actions Abroad
651.28 Overview.
651.29 Use of categorical exclusions.

Appendix A to Part 651--References

Appendix B to Part 651--Glossary

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.; 40 CFR parts 1500-1508; E.O. 
12114, 44 FR 1957, 3 CFR, 1979 Comp., p. 356.

Subpart A--Introduction


Sec.  651.1  Purpose, scope, and applicability.

    (a) This part implements: The provisions of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 4321, et 
seq.; the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations for 
implementing NEPA, 40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508; and establishes the 
Army's procedures for NEPA compliance. If there are any inconsistencies 
between this part and 40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508, as may be 
subsequently amended, the requirements of 40 CFR parts 1500 through 
1508 shall prevail. The Army proponent for this part shall review this 
part every five years after publication to determine if such amendments 
or other circumstances require revision of this part.
    (b) This part requires analysis and systematic examination of the 
environmental consequences associated with implementing proposed Army 
actions, public participation, and integration of environmental 
considerations into Army planning and decision-making.
    (c) This part applies to the: Department of the Army, Active Army, 
Army Reserve, Joint Bases for which the Army is the lead component, the 
Army's Acquisition process, functions of the Army National Guard (ARNG) 
involving Federal funding, and functions for which the Army is the 
Department of Defense (DoD) executive agent (hereinafter, the term 
``Army'' has the meaning described in this section). This part does not 
apply to Civil Works functions of the US Army Corps of Engineers 
(USACE) or to combat or combat-related activities in a combat or 
hostile fire zone. This part applies to relevant actions within the 
United States, which is defined as all States; the District of 
Columbia; territories and possessions of the United States; and all 
waters and airspace subject to the territorial jurisdiction of the 
United States.


Sec.  651.2  References.

    Required and related publications are listed in appendix A of this 
part.


Sec.  651.3  Definitions, terms, and abbreviations.

    (a) The following definitions apply to this part:
    (1) Army proponent (proponent)--The Army unit, element, or 
organization that has the requirement for a proposed Army action and is 
responsible for initiating and/or carrying the action out is the 
proponent. The proponent is responsible for compliance with NEPA and 
this part, and for ensuring that the appropriate NEPA analyses, public 
participation, and documentation is completed prior to a decision on 
the proposed action. The proponent or designee signs Records of 
Environmental Consideration, (RECs) Environmental Assessments (EAs), 
and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), and is responsible for 
development and retention of the administrative record documenting NEPA 
compliance.
    (2) Army approving official (approving official)--The approving 
official is the Army military or civilian official who on behalf of the 
Army approves and signs decision documents (Findings of No Significant 
Impact (FONSIs), and Records of Decision (RODs)). The proponent may 
function as the approving official, and approve and sign decision 
documents.
    (3) Active Guard and Reserve Duty--The term ``active Guard and 
Reserve duty'' means active duty performed by a member of a reserve 
component of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps, or full-time 
National Guard duty performed by a member of the National Guard 
pursuant to an order to full-time National Guard duty, for a period of 
180 consecutive days or more for the purpose of organizing, 
administering, recruiting, instructing, or training the reserve 
components. See 10 U.S.C. 101(d)(6)(A).
    (4) Adverse (impact or effect)--Impacts or effects of an action 
that are detrimental and may require some degree of mitigation to 
address the impact or to reduce the impact to a level that is not 
significant.
    (5) Categorical exclusion--A category of action that the Army has 
determined has no individual or cumulative significant effect on the 
human or natural environment, and for which no formal analysis under 
NEPA is required.
    (6) Controversy/controversial--Within the meaning of NEPA, and as 
used in this part, ``controversy'' and ``controversial'' refers to a 
major disagreement regarding the factual evidence pertaining to the 
effects of a proposed action on the quality of the human environment, 
rather than to the unpopularity or the amount of public opposition to a 
proposed action. Public opposition to a proposed action does not make 
that action controversial so as to require an EIS.
    (7) Environmental harm--Environmental harm results when an action 
may cause wide-scale, unmitigated, irreparable and irreversible 
detrimental effects, degradation, or damage to environmentally 
sensitive resources.
    (8) Decision documents: NEPA decision documents are Findings of No 
Significant Impact (FONSIs), and Records of Decision (RODs). The 
proponent may function as the approving official.
    (9) Environmental officer--An individual assigned to a table of 
organization and equipment (TO&E), or table of distributions and 
allowances (TDA) organization, or unit to accomplish environmental 
compliance requirements on behalf of his or her responsible commander, 
director, or supervisor. For the ARNG, environmental officers may serve 
in Federal positions under title 32 of the CFR or as a Federal 
Technician in Active Guard and Reserve Duty (AGR) status. In the event 
that the ARNG environmental officer is not a Federal civilian employee 
or a Federal Technician in AGR status, NEPA related actions requiring 
signature must be signed by a Federal Technician, AGR, or Federal 
civilian employee in the ARNG

[[Page 70333]]

environmental officer's chain of command.
    (10) Environmental planning--Actively incorporating environmental 
considerations into informed decision-making in order to balance 
environmental concerns with mission requirements, technical 
requirements, economic feasibility, and long-term sustainability of 
Army operations.
    (11) Environmentally sensitive resources--Includes but is not 
limited to: Species that are federally listed as threatened or 
endangered or are candidates for such listing; threatened or endangered 
species critical habitat; migratory birds; Bald and Golden Eagles; 
prime or unique agricultural lands; coastal zones; designated 
wilderness or wilderness study areas; National Wildlife Refuges and 
National Parks; wild and scenic rivers; floodplains; wetlands; riparian 
areas; sole source aquifers; other natural resources of concern; 
paleontological resources, historic properties including sites, 
buildings, structures, districts, and objects eligible for or included 
in the National Register of Historic Places; Native American human 
remains and cultural items; archeological resources; Indian sacred 
sites; protected tribal resources including tribal trust resources, 
natural resources, and properties of traditional or customary religious 
or cultural importance retained by or reserved by or for Indian tribes 
through treaties, statutes, judicial decisions, or E.O.s.
    (12) Effect--Effects and impacts as used in this part are 
synonymous. Effects or impacts includes ecological, aesthetic, 
historic, cultural, economic, social, or health, whether direct, 
indirect or cumulative. Effects or impacts may be detrimental or 
adverse, and/or beneficial.
    (13) Extraordinary circumstances--Factors or circumstances in which 
a normally excluded action may have a significant environmental effect 
that then requires further analysis in an environmental assessment (EA) 
or an environmental impact statement (EIS).
    (14) Federal agency--Means all agencies of the Federal Government. 
It also includes for the purposes of this part those federally-
recognized Indian tribes, States, and units of local governments that 
have assumed NEPA responsibilities for a Federal agency action under 
appropriate authority. It does not mean the Congress, the Judiciary, or 
the President.
    (15) Foreign nations--Any geographic area (land, water, and 
airspace) that is under the jurisdiction of one or more foreign 
governments. It also refers to any area under military occupation by 
the United States alone or jointly with any other foreign government. 
Includes any area that is the responsibility of an international 
organization of governments; also includes contiguous zones and 
fisheries zones of foreign nations.
    (16) Global commons--Geographical areas outside the jurisdiction of 
any nation. They include the oceans outside territorial limits and 
Antarctica. They do not include contiguous zones and fisheries zones of 
foreign nations.
    (17) Impact--Impacts and effects as used in this part are 
synonymous. Impacts or effects includes ecological, aesthetic, 
historic, cultural, economic, social, or health, whether direct, 
indirect or cumulative. Effects or impacts may be detrimental or 
adverse, and/or beneficial.
    (18) Major Federal action--The term ``major Federal action'' has 
the same definition as that stated in 40 CFR 1508.18.
    (19) Mitigated FONSI--When mitigation is a component or factor of 
the proposed action (e.g., mitigation by design) and is so identified 
in the FONSI in order to reduce impacts to less than significant 
levels.
    (20) NEPA analysis--NEPA analysis is the analytic process involved 
in NEPA review.
    (21) Approving official (also Army approving official)--The 
approving official is the Army military or civilian official who on 
behalf of the Army approves and signs.
    (22) NEPA document--A NEPA document is the report that documents 
the NEPA analysis and its results.
    (23) Proponent (also Army proponent)--The Army unit, element, or 
organization that has the requirement for a proposed Army action and is 
responsible for initiating and/or carrying the action out is the Army 
proponent. The proponent is responsible for compliance with NEPA and 
this part, and for ensuring that the appropriate NEPA analyses, public 
participation, and documentation is completed prior to a decision on 
the proposed action. The proponent or designee signs RECs, EAs, and 
EISs, and is responsible for development and retention of the 
administrative record documenting NEPA compliance.
    (24) NEPA review--NEPA review is the process of project and program 
review under NEPA.
    (25) Non-developmental item (NDI)--An NDI is any previously 
developed item of supply used exclusively for government purposes by a 
Federal Agency, a State or local government, or a foreign government 
with which the United States has a mutual defense cooperation 
agreement; any item described above that requires only minor 
modifications or modifications of the type customarily available in the 
commercial marketplace in order to meet the requirements of the 
processing department or agency.
    (26) Preparers--Government or contract personnel from a variety of 
disciplines who prepare NEPA documents. They are primarily responsible 
for the accuracy of the document. May include key government subject 
matter expert document reviewers and contributors who provide 
substantive language for inclusion or whose editorial directions drive 
the substantive contents of the final NEPA document.
    (27) Previously disturbed land--Land that has been changed such 
that its functioning ecological processes have been and remain altered 
by human activity. The phrase encompasses areas that have been 
transformed from native vegetation to nonnative species or a managed 
state.
    (28) Significance (of effects or impacts)--The significance of 
environmental effects or impacts is determined by examining both the 
context and intensity of the proposed action. All effects should be 
evaluated to determine the intensity or severity of impacts or effects 
and the analysis should establish, for each environmental resource 
warranting analysis, the threshold at which significance is reached. 
The threshold enables the determination of significant or less-than-
significant impact. The evaluation of impacts must consider direct and 
indirect effects, short-term and long-term effects, adverse and 
beneficial effects, and cumulative effects. Potential impacts that may 
occur when a proposed action will have an overall beneficial effect 
must be analyzed for significance. If the proposed action could result 
in significant effects to the environment that cannot be mitigated to a 
level below significance, an EIS must be prepared prior to initiating 
action. Significant effects of socioeconomic consequences alone do not 
require an EIS. Significant beneficial effects alone do not require an 
EIS.
    (29) Staff or staffing--When used as a verb in this part, the term 
refers to the coordination of an action to obtain concurrence or 
approval.
    (30) Tiering--Tiering refers to the coverage of general matters 
such as a proposed DoD-wide or Army-wide program or policy in a broad 
EIS or Programmatic EA, with subsequent narrower environmental analyses 
(such as Command, installation, or site-

[[Page 70334]]

specific levels) adopting by reference the general discussions and 
concentrating solely on the issues specific to the analysis 
subsequently prepared.
    (31) Undisturbed land--Land in its natural state or land which has 
reverted to its natural state where ecological processes remain 
unattended by human activity.
    (b) Abbreviations used in this part are explained in the glossary 
in appendix B of this part.


Sec.  651.4  Army NEPA policy.

    (a) The regulatory procedures in this part must be met by 
proponents prior to implementing a proposed Army action affecting the 
environment. Army proponents will integrate NEPA review into Army 
project and program planning at the earliest possible time to ensure: 
Army actions are implemented in compliance with environmental laws, 
regulations, Executive orders (E.O.), Army and DoD policies and 
directives; delays and issues are minimized; and stakeholder and public 
involvement occurs as required. NEPA compliance does not substitute for 
or replace the need to comply with other independent environmental 
statutes (such as the Clean Water Act (CWA), Clean Air Act (CAA), 
Endangered Species Act (ESA), National Historic Preservation Act 
(NHPA), among others, Executive orders (E.O.s)), and other state and 
Federal agency requirements. All applicable environmental requirements 
that must be met for proposed Army actions should be taken into account 
in the NEPA analysis.
    (b) The success of the Army's war-fighting readiness mission relies 
on access to and use of realistic natural landscapes and environmental 
conditions that would be experienced during combat. The NEPA evaluation 
of these critical environmental resources enables effective military 
readiness training, material development; and the ability to rapidly 
acquire, test, and field critical war-fighting materiel for our 
Soldiers. NEPA also supports the Army's ability to effectively 
implement military construction activities, industrial operations, and 
Army modernization and future capabilities.
    (c) The Army NEPA review process in this part defines 
responsibilities, appropriate levels of NEPA review, ensures 
alternatives are considered in Army decision-making, makes certain the 
public is involved in the NEPA review process as required, and that the 
analysis of environmental and socioeconomic impacts occurs in a manner 
that avoids, minimizes, or mitigates environmental impacts. The 
proponent will use the NEPA review process to inform Federal and state 
agencies, local governments, federally-recognized Indian Tribes, Alaska 
Natives, Native Hawaiians, non-governmental stakeholders, and members 
of the public about the potential environmental and socioeconomic 
impacts of proposed Army actions and proposed measures to address those 
impacts. Communication, cooperation, government-to-government 
consultation with federally-recognized Indian Tribes, and, as 
appropriate, collaboration between governmental and non-governmental 
entities are important elements of the NEPA review.
    (d) Army decision-makers will use the results of the NEPA review in 
order to be informed, and to inform the public about the impacts that 
their decisions may have on environmental resources such as natural 
resources including soils, forests, rangelands, fish and wildlife, 
threatened and endangered species, wetlands, water quality, air 
quality, cultural resources including historic buildings, archeological 
sites, other historic properties, Native American sacred sites, and 
other resources under Army stewardship. The NEPA process will also 
inform decision-makers and the public of the potential socioeconomic 
impacts that their decisions may have on surrounding communities. Army 
decision-makers will balance mission requirements with socioeconomic 
and environmental concerns, technical requirements, economic 
feasibility, and long term resiliency, will inform stakeholders and the 
public, and will document their decisions using the NEPA process and 
appropriate decision documents.
    (e) Proponents will ensure that NEPA compliance is timely, 
effective, efficient, and adequately resourced, and will implement 
measures to optimize the NEPA process whenever possible. NEPA 
optimizing measures achieve more effective NEPA reviews and timely 
conclusion of the NEPA process. Measures to optimize the NEPA process 
include but are not limited to: A planning and coordination process for 
EISs to develop and confirm the description of the proposed action and 
alternatives prior to publication of the Notice of Intent; use of 
programmatic NEPA documents and tiering where appropriate; reduced 
attention on minor issues and extraneous background data and increased 
focus on critical issues; inclusion of information by reference to 
other documents; reduction of internal Army review-cycle times; 
adoption of other independent statutory requirements into the NEPA 
process where appropriate and allowed; and using categorical exclusions 
and mitigated FONSIs whenever applicable; and by reducing the length of 
environmental documents by means such as meeting appropriate page 
limits.


Sec.  651.5  Army NEPA compliance responsibilities.

    (a) The Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations, Energy and 
Environment) (ASA (IE&E)). (1) The ASA (IE&E) is the Army's responsible 
official for NEPA policy and compliance, and is the proponent for this 
part.
    (2) The ASA (IE&E) ensures the Army's actions affecting or 
impacting the environment are executed consistent with law, regulation, 
and policy. The ASA (IE&E) will, through the Deputy Assistant Secretary 
of the Army for Environment, Safety and Occupational Health (DASA 
(ESOH)):
    (i) Represent the Army NEPA Program to counterpart offices in the 
Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), the military services, CEQ, 
and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), among others.
    (ii) Communicate and advocate Army NEPA policies and programs to 
Congressional members and oversight committees, other Federal agencies, 
non-governmental organizations, federally-recognized Indian Tribes, 
Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and the public.
    (iii) Approve Federal Register (FR) publication of Army NEPA 
Notices of Intent (NOIs) and Notices of Availability (NOAs), 
Information for Members of Congressional Delegations, Questions and 
Answers, and Press Releases in accordance with Sec.  651.25.
    (iv) Coordinate FR publication of Army actions with the Army 
Federal Register Liaison Officer.
    (v) Serve as the Secretary of the Army's (SA) responsible official 
for environmental analyses abroad.
    (vi) Address exemption requests and emergency actions according to 
Sec.  651.6(b).
    (vii) Review this part every five years after publication and 
determine if amendments to 40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508 or other 
circumstances require revision of this part.
    (b) The Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and 
Technology) (ASA (ALT)). The ASA (ALT) is the Army Acquisition 
Executive and leads the execution of the Army's acquisition function 
and the acquisition management system; supervises the life cycle 
management and sustainment of Army weapon systems and equipment from 
research and development through test and evaluation, acquisition, 
logistics,

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fielding, and disposition; appoints, manages, and evaluates program 
executive officers and manages the Army Acquisition Corps and Army 
Acquisition Workforce. As the Army Acquisition Executive, the ASA (ALT) 
requires:
    (1) Army acquisition programs and procedures comply with NEPA 
requirements as set forth in this part, and Department of Defense 
Directive 5000.01, Department of Defense Instruction 5000.02, Operation 
of the Defense Acquisition System (http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/
), and implementing Army publications to include Army Regulation (AR) 
70-1, Army Acquisition Policy, AR 73-1, Test and Evaluation Policy, and 
the discretionary guidance contained within Department of the Army 
Pamphlet 70-3, Army Acquisition Procedures (http://www.apd.army.mil/), 
as well as the Defense Acquisition Guidebook.
    (2) Environment, safety, and occupational health (ESOH) planning in 
a Systems Engineering Plan (SEP); documentation of the results of the 
planning in a Programmatic ESOH Evaluation (PESHE) as an addendum to 
the SEP (the PESHE is for planning purposes and does not constitute or 
substitute for NEPA compliance).
    (3) Integration of environmental considerations early in the 
acquisition process as part of the capability requirements document 
development and as part of the Analysis of Alternatives.
    (4) Acquisition Program Executive Officers (PEOs) and Acquisition 
Program/Project/Product Managers (who acts as the Materiel Developer 
(MATDEV)) (PMs) prepare and maintain a NEPA Compliance Schedule 
covering all known or projected system-related activities, events, or 
proposed actions that may trigger a requirement for NEPA documentation.
    (5) Acquisition PEOs and PMs function as the proponent for their 
respective acquisition actions and ensure the appropriate NEPA 
documentation is prepared prior to acquisition activities, events, or 
proposed actions. As part of the materiel fielding package PEOs and 
PMs, in coordination with fielding locations, will prepare a 
comprehensive evaluation of environmental information and potential 
environmental issues obtained during the system specific acquisition 
process. The materiel fielding package containing the comprehensive 
evaluation of environmental information and potential site specific 
environmental issues will be provided to each fielding location.
    (6) Acquisition PEOs and Acquisition Program/Project/Product 
Managers comply with the procedures in this part and:
    (i) Coordinate NEPA documentation for acquisition with the 
appropriate stakeholders.
    (ii) Make NEPA documents for acquisition available to the approving 
official prior to implementation of proposed actions.
    (iii) Serve as the approving official where appropriate and sign or 
appoint a designee to sign NEPA documents for acquisition actions.
    (iv) Maintain the NEPA administrative record for their acquisition 
and ensure they are placed in the Army NEPA repository in a timely 
manner.
    (v) Provide installations with NEPA documents and associated 
analyses prepared during the acquisition process. The Installation 
Commander is responsible for ensuring that NEPA documentation has been 
completed prior to fielding new materiel at their installation.
    (7) Middle-Tier Acquisitions (MTA), the MTA Decision Authority, and 
PEOs and PMs designated as an MTA Decision Authority comply with the 
requirements of NEPA by implementing this part in manner consistent 
with MTA actions to rapidly prototype and field high priority military 
capabilities.
    (c) The Deputy Chief of Staff (DCS), G-9. DCS, G-9 is the Army 
Staff (ARSTAF) proponent for Army military construction, master 
planning, real property management, and base realignment and closure. 
DCS, G-9 assists and supports the ASA (IE&E) in all aspects of Army 
NEPA requirements and collaborates across the ARSTAF to ensure actions 
are fully coordinated. The DCS, G-9 will:
    (1) Designate a DCS, G-9 environmental officer responsible for NEPA 
program management.
    (2) Advise Army agencies in the preparation of NEPA analyses.
    (3) Review and coordinate NEPA analyses and documents for Army 
actions, and NEPA analyses and documents submitted by other DoD 
components and other Federal agencies for actions of interest to or 
effecting the Army.
    (4) Monitor proposed Army policy and program documents that have 
environmental implications to determine compliance with NEPA 
requirements and ensure integration of environmental considerations 
into decision-making processes.
    (5) Prepare Army NEPA guidance for implementing this part, NEPA 
program metrics, and oversee NEPA initiatives executed by the Army 
Commands, Service Component Commands, and Direct Reporting Units.
    (6) Monitor proponent implementation and execution of NEPA 
requirements, E.O. 12114 and 32 CFR part 187 requirements, and develop 
and execute guidance, programs, and initiatives to address problem 
areas.
    (7) Apply this part when planning and executing overseas actions, 
where appropriate in light of applicable statutes and Status of Forces 
Agreements (SOFAs).
    (8) Provide guidance and ensure commanders implement the 
requirements of E.O. 12114 and this part.
    (9) Support DASA (ESOH) in all aspects of Army NEPA requirements.
    (10) Advise headquarters organizations on process to secure funding 
for NEPA requirements.
    (11) Maintain manuals and guidance for optimizing NEPA analyses in 
accordance with Sec.  651.4(e) for major Army programs and make this 
guidance accessible to Army personnel and, as appropriate, the public.
    (12) Maintain a record of command and installation NEPA points of 
contact (POCs) in the Army.
    (13) Review NEPA training at all levels of the Army, including 
curricula at Army, DoD, other service, and other agency and 
institutions. Review of DoD, other service, and other NEPA training is 
limited to training affecting the Army.
    (14) Designate and maintain an electronic Army-wide NEPA repository 
for all Army EAs and EISs, FONSIs and RODs.
    (15) Advise Army agencies regarding participation as a NEPA 
cooperating agency.
    (d) Deputy Chief of Staff G-3/5/7. The Deputy Chief of Staff (DCS), 
G-3/5/7 is responsible for stationing the force. Any proposed 
stationing action which meet criteria set forth in AR 5-10 requires DCS 
G-3/5/7 coordination and Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA) 
senior leadership approval. All proposed actions impacting training 
mission will be coordinated with the DCS, G-3/5/7. The DCS G-3/5/7:
    (1) Serves as or designates G-3/5/7 proponents and G-3/5/7 
approving officials for Army actions under G-3/5/7 responsibility.
    (2) Identifies the requirement to conduct NEPA early in the 
stationing planning process.
    (3) Integrates NEPA, and NEPA optimizing measures into the 
strategic stationing decision framework.
    (4) Ensures the appropriate NEPA analysis, document, and review 
process

[[Page 70336]]

occurs to inform senior leaders prior to final stationing decisions.
    (e) The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Financial Management 
and Comptroller (ASA (FMC)). The ASA (FMC) ensures Army NEPA compliance 
requirements are supported in annual authorization requests.
    (f) The Army General Counsel. The Army General Counsel (GC) 
provides legal advice and review to the SA and ASA (IE&E) on all 
environmental matters, to include interpretation and compliance with 
NEPA and Federal implementing regulations, the requirements of E.O. 
12114, and other applicable legal authority. Determines the final Army 
position on legal questions and issues related to NEPA. Serves as the 
point of contact between the Army and OSD Office of General Counsel and 
General Counsels of other services and Federal agencies with regard to 
Army NEPA compliance.
    (g) The Judge Advocate General (TJAG). TJAG provides legal advice 
to the ARSTAF and assistance in NEPA interpretation, Federal 
implementing regulations, the requirements of E.O. 12114, and other 
applicable legal authority; determine the legal sufficiency for Army 
EISs, EAs of national concern or interest, and other NEPA documentation 
as appropriate; and interface with the Army GC and the Department of 
Justice on NEPA-related litigation.
    (h) The Army Surgeon General. The Surgeon General provides 
technical expertise and guidance to proponents in the Army, as 
requested, to assess public health, industrial hygiene, and other human 
health aspects of proposed programs and projects.
    (i) The Chief, Public Affairs. The Chief, Public Affairs:
    (1) Provides communication plan development guidance to enable 
appropriate public involvement on Army actions. Provides public affairs 
guidance on conducting public meetings for NEPA processes and on 
issuing public announcements such as NOIs, scoping, and NOAs.
    (2) Reviews and coordinates planned public announcements on actions 
of national concern or interest, and actions that will undergo an EIS 
process, with appropriate ARSTAF elements, ASA (IE&E) and the Office of 
the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs (OASD (PA)).
    (3) Assists in the issuance of appropriate press releases to 
coincide with the publication of notices in the FR.
    (4) Provides assistance, as requested, to Army Public Affairs 
Officers (PAOs) regarding the development and release of public 
involvement materials.
    (j) The Chief of Legislative Liaison. The Chief of Legislative 
Liaison notifies Members of Congress of pending actions including those 
that will be published in the FR. The Chief will:
    (1) Provide guidance on issuing Congressional notifications for 
NEPA notifications that will be published in the FR.
    (2) Review proposed Congressional notifications on actions.
    (3) Issue Congressional notifications prior to the publication of 
NEPA notifications in the FR.
    (k) Commanders of Army Commands, the Director of the ARNG, Chief, 
U.S. Army Reserve and Commanding General of U.S. Army Reserve Command, 
Army Service Component Commands, and Direct Reporting Units (Commands). 
These Commands will:
    (1) Apply policies and procedures of this part to programs and 
actions within their staff responsibility, except for state-funded 
operations of the ARNG.
    (2) Assume proponency for their proposed actions.
    (3) Assign a command environmental officer responsible for NEPA 
program management, and report the individual by name to DCS, G-9.
    (4) For programs and actions within their staff responsibility that 
require a NEPA notice to be published in the FR, staff the FR 
publication package for review at HQDA; see Sec.  651.25.
    (5) Establish procedures for identification of the appropriate 
proponent and delineate responsibilities for the NEPA review process 
within their command. Develop and implement Command-wide NEPA guidance, 
as needed, in coordination with the DCS, G-9.
    (6) Assist in the review and staffing of NEPA documentation 
prepared by or affecting subordinate elements.
    (7) Maintain the capability (personnel and other resources) to 
comply with the requirements of this part and include provisions for 
NEPA requirements through the Program Planning and Budget Execution 
System (PPBES) process.
    (8) ARNG installations consist of the 54 States and Territories and 
are commanded by a state government official, The Adjutant General 
(TAG).
    (i) TAGs have authority over ARNG personnel and resources within 
the States and Territories they command. As a state government 
official, TAGs cannot function as the proponent or Army approving 
official. TAGs will review and validate NEPA documents prepared for 
projects within their command, and will forward those NEPA documents to 
the Director, ARNG.
    (ii) The Director, ARNG or designee serves as the proponent and 
approving official for ARNG actions. The Director, ARNG or designee 
signs RODs for ARNG EISs, and FONSIs for ARNG EAs.
    (iii) ARNG Records of Environmental Consideration (RECs) are signed 
at the installation level by ARNG environmental officers that serve in 
Federal positions in title 32 of the CFR. In the event that the ARNG 
environmental officer is not a federal civilian employee, or a Federal 
Technician in Active Guard and Reserve Duty (AGR) status, the ARNG RECs 
are signed by a Federal Technician, AGR, or Federal civilian employee 
in the ARNG environmental officer's chain of command.
    (l) The Commander, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command 
(TRADOC). In addition to responsibilities as a proponent, as 
applicable, the Commander, TRADOC will:
    (1) Ensure that NEPA requirements are understood and incorporated 
in the Officer Foundation Standards (OFS).
    (2) Integrate environmental considerations into doctrine, 
organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel, 
facilities, and policy (DOTMLPF-P) processes.
    (3) Include environmental officer representation on all Integrated 
Concept Teams (ICTs) involved in requirements determinations.
    (4) Ensure that TRADOC Capability Managers retain and transfer 
environmental analyses or data to the MATDEV upon approval of the 
materiel Capabilities Requirements Documents.
    (5) Ensure that environmental considerations are incorporated into 
the Capabilities Requirements Documents.
    (m) Installation Commanders. For the purposes of this part, 
Installation Commander refers to all Army Commanders and senior 
civilian managers of land holding organizations who serve as the senior 
executive for installation activities and are responsible for day-to-
day operation and management of installations. Commanders who execute 
land holding functions may be referred to by different titles for 
different Army organizations. For an Installation Management Command 
installation, these responsibilities fall upon the Garrison Commander 
(the Senior Commander's senior executive for installation activities), 
or the Garrison Manager. For other Army commands, this function may be 
served by an Installation Commander; for the Reserves,

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Commanders of U.S. Army Reserve Readiness Divisions and Mission Support 
Commands (MSCs); for ARNG see Sec.  651.5(l) for commander 
responsibilities. Commanders of arsenals or depots may have these same 
terms in their title (``Depot Commander''), and are also included in 
this section, as are commanders of Government-owned, Contractor-
Operated (GOCO) facilities. This section is intended to refer to all 
commanders and senior civilian managers of land holding organizations, 
regardless of title. The description ``land holding'' is intended to 
encompass all resources and areas, such as surface and subsurface 
waters and airspace within the command and/or control of the land 
holding commander. Hereinafter, the term ``Installation Commander'' has 
the meaning described in this section. Installation Commanders will:
    (1) Establish an installation NEPA compliance program and evaluate 
its performance.
    (2) Serve as, or designate a proponent and approving official for 
installation sponsored actions requiring NEPA compliance.
    (3) Ensure NEPA requirements associated with fielding new materiel 
at their installation have been met.
    (4) Plan, program, and budget for installation NEPA requirements, 
and initiate the NEPA review of installation proposed actions early in 
the planning process.
    (5) Ensure that proposed actions subject to NEPA are coordinated by 
appropriate organizations.
    (6) Ensure installation staff elements, tenants, and others 
incorporate NEPA requirements early in the planning of proposed 
actions.
    (7) Maintain an administrative record of all installation NEPA 
documents and associated information, and ensure NEPA documents are 
deposited in the Army NEPA Repository.
    (8) Ensure NEPA awareness and/or training is provided for 
professional staff, installation-level proponents, and document 
reviewers (for example, master planning, range operations, acquisition 
support staff, etc.).
    (9) In coordination with the proponent, ensure mitigation measures 
specified in NEPA documents are carried out, and that a mitigation and 
monitoring plan is developed and implemented as needed.
    (10) Consult on a government-to-government basis with federally-
recognized Indian Tribes.
    (11) Implement NEPA optimizing measures as appropriate.
    (12) Review, validate, concur, or co-sign and approve (as 
appropriate) NEPA documentation for proposed actions prepared by other 
Army or DoD organizations that will take place in the area over which 
the Installation Commander has authority. The Installation Commander 
may authorize a designee to concur or co-sign on their behalf.
    (13) Designate an Installation environmental officer responsible 
for NEPA program management who will:
    (i) Assist proponents in integrating the NEPA process into their 
activities and programs.
    (ii) Advise the commander on NEPA matters and enable early 
coordination with the proponent for proposed actions requiring NEPA 
documentation.
    (iii) Prepare and coordinate NEPA documents as directed by the 
Installation Commander.
    (iv) Serve as the proponent, and/or as the approving official if 
designated, for installation sponsored actions.
    (v) Advise his/her organization on the selection, preparation, and 
completion of NEPA analyses and documentation, as well as the possible 
extent of required mitigation (see Subpart F), for those proposed 
actions for which the organization is the proponent and for those NEPA 
analyses of others that will impact or involve the environmental 
resources or mission activities for which the organization has 
oversight.
    (vi) Develop and publish local NEPA guidance and procedures.
    (vii) Identify additional environmental information needed to 
support informed Army decision-making.
    (viii) Assist proponents to identify issues, impacts, and possible 
alternatives and/or mitigation measures relevant to specific proposed 
actions.
    (ix) Ensure mitigation measures are implemented, and mitigation 
monitoring occurs to ensure that mitigation measures are accomplished.
    (x) Assist in completion of agency, stakeholder, and public 
coordination. Request PAO review and assistance with all public 
communications and events.

Subpart B--Army National Environmental Policy Act Implementation


Sec.  651.6  Army NEPA review.

    (a) Army actions that may involve some level of NEPA compliance 
generally include, but are not necessarily limited to:
    (1) Policies, regulations, plans, and procedures that affect the 
use or management of the environment.
    (2) Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) activities; 
acquisition program actions; and real property and facility management 
actions.
    (3) Projects involving facility construction, renovation, or 
demolition.
    (4) Military operations and activities including training, flight 
operations, overall operation of installations, and test and evaluation 
programs.
    (5) Actions that require licenses for operations or special 
material use, including a Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) license, 
an Army radiation authorization, and Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA) air space requests (new, renewal, or amendment).
    (6) Materiel acquisition, development, testing, fielding, operation 
and support, disposal, and/or modification.
    (7) Transfer and use of weapons systems or other personal property 
to the ARNG or Army Reserve.
    (8) Research and development including areas such as genetic 
engineering, laser testing, and electromagnetic pulse generation.
    (9) The planned use of land acquired through leases, easements, 
permits, licenses, out-grants, or other entitlement for use, to include 
donation, exchange, barter, or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). 
Examples include grazing leases, grants of easement for highway right-
of-way, and requests by the public to use land for special events such 
as sporting events, air shows, or carnivals.
    (10) Federal contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, subsidies, 
loans, or other forms of funding such as Government-Owned, Contractor-
Operated (GOCO) industrial plants or housing and construction via 
third-party contracting.
    (11) Request for approval to use, store, or dispose of non-DoD 
radiation sources, hazardous or toxic material, or hazardous or toxic 
wastes on Army land, when permitted by law.
    (12) Stationing actions that result in increases, reductions, or 
realignments of military and civilian personnel.
    (b) Special circumstances. The following are special circumstances 
addressing exemptions and emergency actions.
    (1) Exemption by law. NEPA itself does not contain a statutory 
exemption. NEPA exemptions in other statutes must apply to DoD and/or 
the Army and must prohibit, exempt, or make impossible full compliance 
with the NEPA procedures. While some aspects of Army decision-making 
may be exempted from NEPA, other aspects of an action may still be 
subject to NEPA review. Army proponents who believe a proposed Army 
action qualifies for an

[[Page 70338]]

exemption from NEPA will, at the earliest practicable time, notify 
their chain of command and DASA (ESOH). DASA (ESOH) will coordinate 
with the appropriate OSD office, and will request a binding legal 
opinion regarding the applicability of the exemption from Army OGC. 
Congressional direction to the Army to take an action does not 
constitute an exemption from NEPA.
    (2) Emergencies. (i) The Army will not delay an emergency action 
necessary for national defense, security, or preservation of human life 
or property to comply with this part. The Army's on-site commander 
dealing with the emergency will consider the probable environmental 
consequences of proposed actions, and will minimize environmental 
damage to the maximum degree practicable, consistent with protecting 
human life, property, and national security.
    (ii) Where emergency circumstances make it necessary for a 
responsible Army official to take an action with significant 
environmental impact without observing the provisions of this part, the 
Army official will, at the earliest practicable time, notify their 
chain of command and DASA (ESOH). The responsible Army official will 
consult with CEQ as soon as reasonably possible about alternative 
arrangements. This section applies only to actions necessary to control 
the immediate effects of the emergency.
    (iii) Where the significance of the impacts are unknown but are 
anticipated to be less than significant, and emergency circumstances 
make it necessary to take an action without observing the provisions of 
this part, the responsible Army official will, at the earliest 
practicable time, notify their chain of command and the DASA (ESOH). If 
the action is ongoing, an appropriate NEPA review will be prepared as 
soon as practicable.
    (iv) After-action reports may be required at the discretion of the 
DASA (ESOH).
    (v) State call-ups of ARNG during a natural disaster or other state 
emergency are excluded from the notification requirements of this 
section.
    (c) Levels of Army NEPA review. The following are the levels of 
NEPA review that a proposed Army action may be subject to:
    (1) CX. This level of NEPA review addresses actions that normally 
do not require an EA or an EIS. A CX is applicable where the Army has 
determined that certain actions do not individually or cumulatively 
have a significant effect on the human environment. Requirements for 
application of a CX are further described in this part. The Army uses a 
Record of Environmental Consideration (REC) to document the application 
of certain CXs. Army CXs and RECs are addressed in subpart C of this 
part.
    (2) EA. Proposed Army actions not covered by paragraphs (b) and 
(c)(1) of this section must be analyzed to determine if they could 
cause significant impacts to the environment. The EA is the basis for 
determining that impacts would not be significant, are mitigated to 
less than significant, or that an EIS is required. The EA requires 
analysis of the magnitude of impacts and evaluation of their 
significance. The EA findings are documented in either a FONSI or an 
NOI (to prepare an EIS). This process requires public review of the 
signed EA and draft FONSI. The format and requirements for the EA are 
addressed in subpart D of this part.
    (3) EIS. When an action clearly has significant impacts or when an 
EA cannot be concluded by a FONSI, an EIS must be prepared. An EIS is 
initiated by the NOI published in the FR. An EIS examines the 
environmental effects of the proposed action and reasonable 
alternatives as well as potential measures to mitigate adverse effects. 
This process requires formal interaction with the public, to include a 
scoping process, opportunities for public review of the Draft EIS, and 
the incorporation of public comments. The format and requirements for 
the EIS are addressed in subpart E of this part.
    (4) Programmatic EA or EIS. Army agencies may analyze proposed 
actions at a programmatic level for programs and actions that are 
similar in nature or broad in scope and/or that involve decisions 
related to multiple locations to eliminate repetitive discussions of 
the same issues and focus on the key points at each appropriate level 
of project review. When a programmatic EA or EIS has been prepared, any 
subsequent EIS, EA, or REC on an action included within the entire 
program or policy (particularly a site-specific action) can ``tier'' 
off the original analyses, eliminating duplication. The subsequent 
documents need only summarize issues discussed in the broader statement 
and concentrate on the issues specific to the subsequent, site-specific 
action.


Sec.  651.7  NEPA principles and practices.

    (a) Synchronizing environmental reviews. (1) Proponents will ensure 
that permitting, compliance, consultation, and coordination required by 
other applicable independent environmental statutes and regulations is 
completed prior to execution of the decision document (FONSI or ROD). 
The proponent will incorporate the information and requirements 
resulting from these independent compliance actions into the NEPA 
document to identify and assess potential environmental impacts and 
mitigation measures.
    (2) NEPA compliance does not replace the procedural or substantive 
compliance requirements of other independent environmental statutes and 
regulations. The NEPA analysis summarizes and consolidates the 
information resulting from compliance with other independent 
environmental statutes and regulations into a single NEPA document. 
This ensures the approving official has a comprehensive view of the 
environmental issues and understands the full scope of potential 
environmental consequences.
    (3) Decision documents will be forwarded to the planners, 
designers, and/or implementers to ensure the actions and mitigation 
measures occur as specified in the decision document and are 
incorporated as needed during project execution.
    (b) Analyzing connected actions. (1) The Army will analyze impacts 
of connected actions within the same NEPA review. Connected actions are 
actions that are closely related, and include: Actions that 
automatically trigger other actions that may require a higher level of 
analysis; those that cannot or will not proceed unless another action 
is taken previously or simultaneously; and those that are 
interdependent parts of a larger action and depend on the larger action 
for their justification.
    (2) Segmentation is the impermissible separation of connected 
actions into different NEPA analyses for the purposes of, or having the 
result of, avoiding the appearance of significance of the total action. 
Segmentation includes defining an action too narrowly to avoid a higher 
level of analysis. The use of a programmatic NEPA document and 
subsequent tiering of NEPA analyses is permissible and does not 
constitute improper segmentation.
    (3) The rapidly and continuously evolving nature of the national 
defense mission, and the sheer size, nation-wide geographic 
distribution, and inherently hierarchical organization of the Army, 
often require that higher-headquarter decisions are made without a 
complete analysis of the multitude of connected actions, alternatives, 
and impacts at the site-specific, installation level. Such actions are 
best analyzed using a programmatic tiered NEPA approach, with the 
local-level analyses focused on alternatives for the best 
implementation of the higher-level decision.

[[Page 70339]]

    (c) Cumulative impacts. NEPA documents must assess cumulative 
impacts.
    (d) Preparing the administrative record. The proponent is 
responsible for maintaining the complete administrative record for the 
proposed action, and for providing copies of the record to the relevant 
environmental officer responsible for NEPA program management if 
requested. The administrative record includes all documents and 
information used to make the decision. All documentation and supporting 
administrative records will be retained by the installation staff 
responsible for NEPA program management, at the installation where the 
proposed action takes place. The administrative record will be retained 
for a minimum of six years after signature of the decision document or 
the completion of the action, any required mitigation is complete, or 
the information is no longer valid, whichever is later. For 
programmatic NEPA analyses, the proponent will keep NEPA documentation 
and supporting administrative records. The proponent will ensure that 
EAs/FONSIs and final EISs/RODs are uploaded into the Army NEPA 
repository as designated by DCS, G-9.
    (e) Preparing a Supplemental EA or Supplemental EIS. When 
significant new or previously unknown circumstances or information 
relevant to the environmental effects or impacts of an action are 
revealed, the proponent will determine if the completed NEPA 
documentation is adequate. If the completed NEPA documentation is 
adequate, or if a CX is applicable to the changes or to the new 
circumstances or information, a REC may be prepared. If conditions 
warrant a Supplement EA or a Supplemental EIS, these documents are 
prepared and processed in the same way as the original EA or EIS. No 
new scoping is required for a Supplemental EIS filed within one year of 
the filing of the original ROD.
    (f) Addressing response actions. Response actions implemented in 
accordance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, 
and Liability Act (CERCLA) or the Resource Conservation and Recovery 
Act (RCRA) do not require separate NEPA review. Where appropriate, 
CERCLA and RCRA analysis and documentation should incorporate the 
values of NEPA.
    (g) Joint basing applicability. This part applies to joint bases 
for which the Army is the supporting component. This part applies to 
supported military components on joint bases where the Army is the 
supporting component. Supported Army proponents on a joint base where 
another military service is the supporting component will follow the 
supporting military component's NEPA regulations. Under joint base 
agreements, the supporting service component provides installation 
management services to the supported service component including 
management functions associated with NEPA documentation financed by 
supported components.
    (h) Army as NEPA lead agency. In some cases, other Federal 
agencies, and local, state, regional, or tribal governments or agencies 
will have sufficient jurisdiction by law or special expertise with 
respect to a proposed Army action that the NEPA process would benefit 
from the participation of the organization. When appropriate, the 
proponent for an action should determine whether these entities have an 
interest in becoming a cooperating agency. If cooperating agency status 
is established, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) or MOU is required to 
document specific expectations, roles, and responsibilities, including 
analyses to be performed, time schedules, availability of pre-
decisional information, and other issues. Cooperating agencies use 
their own funds, and the designation of cooperating agency status 
neither enlarges nor diminishes the decision-making status of any 
Federal entity leading or cooperating in the action.
    (i) Army as NEPA cooperating agency. In cases where other agencies 
take actions that can impact the Army mission, the Army may have some 
special or unique expertise or jurisdiction by law. In those 
circumstances, the Army may be a NEPA cooperating agency and provide 
information or technical expertise to a lead agency, approve portions 
of a proposed action under Army control, ensure the Army has an 
opportunity to be involved in an action of another Federal agency that 
will affect the Army, and provide review and approval of the portions 
of NEPA documents that affect the Army.
    (j) Other reports. Army proponents may publish fact sheets and/or 
supplemental information documents on complex or long-term NEPA reviews 
to keep the public informed on the status of the proposed action.
    (k) Greenhouse gas (GHG) and climate change. When defining the 
scope of NEPA analysis, the proponent determines whether and to what 
extent GHG emissions and climate change effects warrant analysis. When 
the proponent determines that reasonably foreseeable GHG emissions are 
substantial enough to warrant quantification, the proponent should:
    (1) Quantify those GHG emissions where information and 
quantification tools are available, and where quantification would be 
practicable and not overly speculative.
    (2) Where quantification would not be practicable or would be 
overly speculative, the proponent should include a qualitative 
analysis.
    (3) Emissions should be reasonably foreseeable, there must be a 
sufficiently close causal relationship.
    (4) Proponents are not required to quantify effects where 
information necessary for quantification is unavailable, not of high 
quality, or the complexity of identifying emissions would make 
quantification overly speculative.
    (5) A direct and indirect effects analysis of GHG emissions is 
sufficient and a separate cumulative impact analysis for GHG emissions 
is not required.
    (6) Proponents are not required to develop cost benefit analyses, 
including Social Cost of Carbon (SCC). SCC analyses were not intended 
for socio-economic analysis under NEPA or decision-making on individual 
actions, including project-level decisions.
    (l) Information inclusion. Proponents should identify and eliminate 
from further consideration any insignificant issues and information 
that is not relevant or important to determining the environmental 
effects of a proposed action. This also includes issues and information 
which have been covered in a previous environmental review.
    (m) NEPA time limits. Proponents should strive to achieve 
completion of:
    (1) EAs within one year. One year is measured from the date of the 
proponent's decision to prepare an EA to the publication of a final EA.
    (2) EISs within two years. Two years is measured from the date of 
the issuance of the NOI to the date a ROD is signed.


Sec.  651.8  Security review and clearance policy for NEPA documents.

    The proponent will ensure NEPA documents intended for public 
release undergo operational security review and are cleared for public 
release. Security review and clearance protects classified information, 
controlled unclassified information, unclassified information that may 
individually or in aggregate lead to the compromise of classified 
information, militarily critical information and other information that 
if disclosed is deemed an operational security risk.
    (a) Classified proposals, and proposed actions involving 
classification of

[[Page 70340]]

information, militarily critical and other information whose disclosure 
is deemed a risk to national defense operational security does not 
relieve the proponent of the NEPA compliance requirement to assess and 
document the effects of their proposed action on the environment.
    (b) Information may be considered militarily critical if it 
addresses the following subjects or affects the operations security 
thereof:
    (1) New weapons or weapons systems, or significant modifications or 
improvements to existing weapons or weapons systems, equipment, or 
techniques.
    (2) Military operations and significant exercises of national or 
international significance.
    (3) Command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, 
surveillance, and reconnaissance; information operations and 
cyberspace; weapons of mass destruction; improvised explosive devices; 
and computer security.
    (4) Military activities or application in space; nuclear weapons, 
including nuclear weapons effects research; defense from chemical and 
biological warfare and threats; initial fixed weapons basing; and arms 
control treaty implementation.
    (5) Any other contemporary topic that is so designated by the 
appropriate authority.
    (c) Proponents will follow all applicable DoD and Army information 
security regulations (including AR 380-5 Department of the Army 
Information Security Program) for proposed actions and NEPA analyses 
involving classified information, or military critical and other 
information deemed a risk to operational security. EAs and EISs which 
address classified proposals, contain classified information, 
militarily critical or other information deemed an operational security 
risk will be safeguarded, and may be restricted from public 
dissemination.
    (d) When classified information, militarily critical or other 
information deemed an operational security risk can be reasonably 
separated from other information, an unclassified and publically 
releasable NEPA document will be prepared and processed in accordance 
with this part. Classified information, militarily critical and other 
information deemed an operational security risk will be safeguarded, 
restricted from public dissemination, and provided to reviewers and 
approving officials in accordance with AR 380-5. Critical program 
information will be kept separated and provided to reviewers and 
decision-makers in accordance with the appropriate distribution 
statement.
    (e) When classified information, militarily critical and other 
information deemed an operational security risk is an integral part of 
the analysis of a proposal such that a meaningful NEPA document cannot 
be produced for public dissemination, the proponent will: Ensure that 
the appropriate NEPA analysis is prepared by individuals with 
appropriate expertise and clearance levels, consider environmental 
effects in accordance with Sec.  651.1(b), safeguard and restrict the 
resulting NEPA document from public dissemination, and ensure that the 
approving official is fully informed of the environmental consequences 
of the proposed action prior to making a decision regarding the action. 
The proponent will retain the NEPA document and associated NEPA 
analyses as part of the administrative record for the proposed action 
in accordance with applicable Army information security regulations.

Subpart C--Categorical Exclusions and Records of Environmental 
Consideration


Sec.  651.9  Categorical exclusions and screening criteria general 
information.

    (a) CXs are categories of actions with no individual or cumulative 
significant effect on the human or natural environment, and for which 
neither an EA nor an EIS is required. The use of a CX is intended to 
reduce paperwork and eliminate delays in the initiation and completion 
of proposed actions that have no significant impact. Proponents must 
apply the Army CX screening criteria to determine if a CX is applicable 
to their proposed action. The Army CX screening criteria are at Sec.  
651.11 and the Army CXs are at Sec.  651.12.
    (b) Specific screening criteria must be applied to determine if a 
CX is appropriate and applicable. The screening criteria must be 
applied to ensure that no extraordinary circumstances or effects on 
environmentally sensitive resources exist, or to ensure that any 
effects on environmentally sensitive resources have been addressed 
through a prior NEPA document or by compliance with other environmental 
statutes and regulations.
    (c) If no CX is appropriate, the potential environmental impacts of 
the proposed action must be analyzed in an EA/FONSI or an EIS/ROD 
before it may proceed. Where documentation is needed to clarify that 
the proposed action is adequately covered by a prior completed NEPA 
document, a REC is prepared to that effect (Sec.  651.10).


Sec.  651.10  Record of environmental consideration.

    (a) A REC is a signed statement that briefly describes a proposed 
action, and documents that the action has received NEPA review. A REC 
has no prescribed format, as long as it contains all relevant 
information required to support its conclusions.
    (b) RECs are used to:
    (1) Document how an action qualifies for a CX when a REC is 
required for the CX and that it is not a major Federal action or has no 
potential for significant effects on the environment;
    (2) Document where other environmental statutory or regulatory 
compliance requirements (other than NEPA) have been used to address 
potential impacts to environmentally sensitive resources;
    (3) Describe how a prior completed NEPA document applies to the 
current proposed action such that the proposed action has already been 
adequately analyzed in a completed NEPA document; and
    (4) Identify new or additional information and document a 
determination that amendment or supplementation of a previously 
completed EA or EIS is not needed, even in light of the new or 
additional information. In such circumstances, an additional 
information document may be prepared and attached to the REC.
    (c) REC content. (1) RECs must document the basis for the 
determination that a CX is applicable, including the conclusions 
reached during application of the screening criteria. The REC must 
expressly state that screening criteria were applied.
    (1) RECs may include by reference relevant and readily available 
documents, and new or additional information.
    (2) When used to document that a proposed action is adequately 
covered within a previously completed EA or EIS, the REC should state 
the applicable EA or EIS title, date, date of FONSI or ROD, and the 
location of record copies.
    (3) While a REC may document compliance with the requirements of 
NEPA, it does not fulfill the requirements of other environmental 
statutes and regulations. The REC should reference compliance with 
other environmental statutes and regulations. Appropriate interagency 
correspondence can be referenced in and/or attached to the REC to 
document compliance with other environmental statutes and regulations.

[[Page 70341]]

    (4) RECs must address all connected actions associated with the 
proposed action.
    (d) REC coordination and signature. RECs will be coordinated with 
appropriate Army offices as determined by the proponent. RECs require 
one signature, and are signed by the approving official, or their 
designee. RECs can only be signed by Army military personnel or a 
Federal civil service employee. RECs must be dated and include the 
estimated date or timeframe of the proposed action. RECs must be signed 
prior to the start of the proposed action. A REC need not be published 
or made available to the public for comment, but must be kept by the 
proponent with the project file for the proposed action and, subject to 
operations security review, may be made available to the public on 
request.
    (e) Once a REC is signed, the NEPA process is concluded, and the 
proposed action may proceed.
    (f) More than one CX may apply to a proposed action. Not all 
applicable CXs may require a REC; however, a REC should discuss all 
connected actions, including those that are covered by an applicable CX 
that does not require a REC, to clarify that the actions were analyzed 
and not segmented.


Sec.  651.11  Army CX screening criteria.

    The Army Screening Criteria are as follows:
    (a) The proposed action has not been segmented (see Sec.  
651.7(b)(2)).
    (b) Determine if the proposed action involves extraordinary 
circumstances that would preclude the use of a CX. Extraordinary 
circumstances that preclude the use of a CX are:
    (1) Unique characteristics of the affected site or region in which 
the proposed action is located indicate a reasonable likelihood of 
significant effects (direct, indirect, or cumulative) on public health, 
safety, or the environment.
    (2) Possible effects on the environment are highly uncertain or the 
proposed action involves unique or unknown risks.
    (3) Scope or size of the proposed action is substantially greater 
than what is typical or what is described in otherwise applicable CXs.
    (4) Implementation of the proposed action would require a 
substantive revision to a management plan and an EA or EIS for the 
management plan is required prior to the plan revision being finalized 
or approved.
    (5) Reasonable likelihood that the proposed action would result in 
discharges or emissions of pollutants above a de-minimis level and/or 
reportable quantities, and the discharge or emission is not otherwise 
alleviated through another environmental process (e.g., discharge or 
emission permit).
    (6) Reasonable likelihood of violating an applicable Federal, 
state, or local law or requirement imposed for the protection of the 
environment.
    (7) Effects on the quality of the environment likely to be highly 
controversial.
    (8) Would establish a precedent (or make decisions in principle) 
for future or subsequent actions that are reasonably likely to have a 
future significant effect.
    (9) Introduction/employment of materials or technology for which 
potential impacts on the environment are unproven.
    (c) A CX may not be used if a proposed action would adversely 
affect an environmentally sensitive resource unless the adverse effect 
is addressed through another environmental compliance process (for 
example, Endangered Species Act (ESA), Native American Graves 
Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), Integrated Natural Resources 
Management Plans (INRMPs) adhering to the Sikes Act, Migratory Bird 
Treaty Act (MBTA), Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA), 
Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), National Historic Preservation Act 
(NHPA), Clean Water Act (CWA), etc.). A REC is required to document the 
use of another environmental compliance process to address potential 
impacts to environmentally sensitive resources. The term 
``environmentally sensitive resources'' is defined in appendix B, 
Section II, of this part.
    (d) The use of a CX does not relieve the proponent from compliance 
and consultation requirements under other statutes, regulations, and 
permits.


Sec.  651.12  Army CXs.

    (a) Army CXs. Army CXs are grouped under common types of 
activities, see paragraphs (b) through (i) of this section.
    (1) CXs that require a REC are so identified. If a CX does not 
require a REC, no documentation is necessary. The screening criteria 
must be analyzed to provide sufficient detail to demonstrate that no 
extraordinary circumstances exist that would preclude the use of a CX.
    (2) Proposed actions may not be segmented in order to meet the 
requirements of a CX.
    (3) The list of CXs is subject to continual review and 
modification. Requests for additions or changes to the CXs (along with 
justification) should be staffed, through channels, to the ODASA 
(ESOH). Subordinate Army headquarters may not modify the CX list 
through supplements to this part.
    (4) More than one CX may be cited for a given proposed action.
    (b) Administrative measures. (1) Routine law and order activities 
performed by civilian and military police, physical plant protection 
and security personnel, and civilian natural resources and 
environmental law officers. This includes defense support to civil 
authorities and search and rescue operations.
    (2) Emergency or disaster assistance provided to Federal, state, or 
local entities (REC required).
    (3) Preparation, revision, and promulgation of regulations, 
policies, directives, procedures, manuals, and guidance documents that 
implement HQDA or other Federal agency regulations, policy, procedures, 
manuals, and guidance documents that have been the subject of previous 
NEPA review or do not have substantial impacts on the environment.
    (4) Proposed administrative activities and operations to be 
conducted in an existing structure that are within the scope and 
compatibility of the present functional use of the structure. This 
includes all routine administrative functions of any kind; examples 
include, but are not limited, to military and civilian personnel 
recruitment, hiring, paying, supervision, and management; budgets, 
appropriations, and contracts planning, administration, and management; 
documents and records preparation, management, and distribution; 
investigations, inspections, analyses, and studies planning, execution, 
and documentation; educational and public outreach material development 
and distribution; and communications, briefs, and staffing actions.
    (5) Routine management of buildings, facilities, utilities, 
training areas, and ranges in order to support routine use and enable 
timely maintenance and repair. This CX includes all management 
activities to enable and maintain the full functionality of the site.
    (6) Routine morale, welfare, and recreation activities not 
involving off-road recreational vehicles.
    (7) Deployment of military forces on a temporary duty or training 
basis where existing facilities are used for their intended purposes 
consistent with the scope and size of existing mission.
    (8) Routine travel and movement of personnel, vehicles, watercraft, 
aircraft, equipment, and other materiel and commercial goods.

[[Page 70342]]

    (9) Approval of asbestos or lead-based paint management plans 
drafted in accordance with applicable laws and regulations (REC 
required).
    (10) Special events and routine community relations events, whether 
on or off the installation. These include educational, technical, 
advisory, and consultation activities where the Army engages with 
communities, government, private organizations and individuals, 
federally-recognized Indian tribes, and the general public. Such events 
include for example, ceremonies, funerals (to include state funerals), 
open houses, town halls, air shows, athletic events, flyovers, Earth 
Day events, and concerts. (REC required for air shows and flyovers).
    (11) Temporary closure or temporary restriction of access to roads, 
trails, recreational areas, and/or any lands within the boundaries of a 
military installation or within DoD real estate lease agreement land 
holdings in order to protect human or animal life, other natural or 
cultural resources, or for military training or security/law 
enforcement purposes (REC required).
    (12) Reductions and realignments of civilian and/or military 
personnel that fall below the thresholds for actions reportable to 
Congress, as prescribed by statute (for example, 10 U.S.C. 2687(a)(2) 
and 10 U.S.C. 993). This includes reorganizations and reassignments 
with no changes in force structure, unit redesignations, and routine 
administrative reorganizations and consolidations. (REC required when 
the net change in military and civilian authorizations at a military 
installation meets the threshold for forwarding a stationing package to 
the DCS, G-3/5/7).
    (13) Relocation of personnel into existing federally-owned (or 
state-owned in the case of ARNG) or commercially-leased space. (REC 
required when the net change in military and civilian authorizations at 
a military installation meets the threshold for forwarding a stationing 
package to the DCS, G-3/5/7).
    (14) An Army action occurring on another military service's 
property where the action qualifies for a CX of that military service, 
or for actions on property designated as a Joint Base or Joint Region 
that qualifies for a CX of any of the military services included as 
part of the Joint Base or Joint Region. When the Army proponent chooses 
to use another military service's CX to cover a proposed action, the 
proponent must have written confirmation that the other service does 
not object to using their CX to cover the Army action. The Army 
proponent will include that written confirmation in the administrative 
record for the proposed action. The Army official making the CX 
determination must ensure the application of the CX is appropriate and 
that the Army proposed action was a type contemplated when the CX was 
established by the other service, and that no extraordinary 
circumstances exist. (REC required).
    (15) An Army action occurring on another Federal agency's property, 
or on property where another Federal agency is operating, that 
qualifies for a CX of the other Federal agency. If the Army chooses to 
use the other Federal agency's CX to cover the proposed Army action, 
the Army proponent must have written confirmation that the other agency 
does not object to using their CX to cover the Army action. The Army 
proponent will include that verification in the administrative record 
for the proposed action. The Army proponent must determine that the 
Army action fits within the other Federal agency's CX, is of a similar 
type and scope as the action categorically excluded by the other 
Federal agency, and no extraordinary circumstances exist. (REC 
required).
    (c) Construction and demolition. (1) Construction of new, 
alteration of existing (to include replacement or upgrades), and 
additions to existing buildings, facilities, structures (to include 
towers that do not present a collision hazard to military aircraft), 
launch pads, utility systems, and communication systems on previously 
disturbed land and/or on undisturbed land, provided there are no more 
than 5 cumulative acres of surface disturbance to undisturbed land. 
(REC required). This does not include construction of facilities 
intended primarily for the transportation, distribution, storage, 
treatment, and disposal of solid waste, medical waste, and hazardous 
waste. The terms ``previously disturbed land'' and ``undisturbed land'' 
are defined in appendix B, Section II, of this part.
    (2) Construction of new and expansion of existing parking lots and 
hardening of tank trails and turn pads on previously disturbed land 
and/or on undisturbed land, provided there are no more than 5 
cumulative acres of surface disturbance to undisturbed land. If a 
parking lot design will replicate the pre-development hydrology, 
limitation may be extended to 10 acres (REC required). The terms 
``previously disturbed land'' and ``undisturbed land'' are defined in 
appendix B, Section II, of this part.
    (3) Placement and replacement of targetry and other stationary 
equipment on existing ranges provided there are no more than 5 
cumulative acres of surface disturbance to undisturbed land (REC 
required). The term ``undisturbed land'' is defined in appendix B, 
Section II, of this part.
    (4) Installation of fencing, utility systems, and communication 
systems that use existing right-of-way, and installation of airfield 
communication and safety equipment (REC required).
    (5) Construction, placement, installation, or relocation of 
machinery and equipment (for example, analytical laboratory apparatus, 
electronic hardware, maintenance equipment, and health and safety 
equipment) from another site or structure to the new or altered 
building/facility/site, assuming the uses of the relocated items will 
be similar to their former uses (REC required).
    (6) Demolition of buildings, structures, or other improvements and 
disposal of debris therefrom, or removal of a part thereof for 
disposal, in accordance with applicable requirements, to include 
requirements associated with removal of asbestos, polychlorinated 
biphenyls (PCBs), lead-based paint, and other special hazards. For 
historic districts, sites, buildings, structures, or objects eligible 
for or included in the National Register of Historic Places, all 
requirements of the NHPA must be met (REC required).
    (7) Road or trail construction on existing rights-of-ways or on 
previously disturbed areas to dimensions that meet design standards 
that permit safe vehicle operation (REC required).
    (8) Construction, in accordance with applicable permits, of new or 
improved low water crossing and fording areas on existing trails or 
roads used for training purposes, and storm water conveyances for storm 
water management, safety, and other purposes. Construction or 
improvements must permit the flow of water across the crossing/fording. 
Total ground area disturbed per low water crossing area must not exceed 
5 acres. (REC required).
    (9) Minor renovations and additions, in accordance with applicable 
permits, to waterfront facilities, including mooring piles, fixed 
floating piers, existing piers, unburied power cables, and maintenance 
and replacement of existing oil booms. (REC required).
    (10) Actions in unsewered areas on lands within the boundaries of a 
military installation or within DoD real estate lease agreement land 
holdings involving the replacement of existing small (total capacity 
less than approximately 250,000 gallons per day) on-site wastewater and 
sewage systems, providing the new on-site systems do not relocate 
existing discharge (REC required).

[[Page 70343]]

    (11) Construction or installation, to include modification, of 
fencing, gates, grates, walls, small enclosures, stakes, signage, 
cattle guards, and other small appurtenances or devices (for example, 
raptor electrocution prevention devices) attached to the land for the 
purposes of security or to otherwise protect human life, animal life, 
or other resources.
    (12) Construction and modernization of common small arms ranges on 
previous or existing range sites in Army training and testing areas 
requiring total disturbance of approximately 40 acres or less, without 
change to noise contours that would potentially increase noise impacts 
to sensitive receptors and without change to existing Surface Danger 
Zones (SDZs). This includes the construction of a Range Operations 
Control Area, which contains common range support facilities and 
parking. This CX also includes the demolition of any old structures on 
the previously disturbed sites. Small arms ranges typically include 
weapons that fire ammunition that is .50 caliber or less and hand or 
launched grenades (REC required).
    (13) Reconstruction, repair, restoration, retrofitting, or 
replacement of any facility, structure, road, or trail (including 
fencing, gates, parking lots, erosion control structures, storm water 
control structures, roads, trails, revegetation, removal of debris, or 
any other infrastructure improvement), that was in use and operation, 
or was under construction, and was damaged or destroyed due to a 
natural event, including but not limited to wildfires, floods, 
earthquakes, landslides, weather events; or an accident, vandalism, or 
an act of terrorism; and which will substantially conform to the 
preexisting design, function, and location as the original (REC 
required; will include consideration of anticipated temporary 
construction impacts).
    (d) Cultural and natural resources. (1) Regeneration of an area to 
native tree species and other native vegetation species including: Site 
preparation; post-fire rehabilitation activities (such as tree 
planting, fence replacement, or habitat restoration); timber stand and/
or wildlife habitat improvement activities that do not include the use 
of herbicides and do not require more than 1 mile of road construction; 
and restoration of wetlands, streams, riparian areas, and other water 
bodies. This does not include forestry operations (REC required).
    (2) Implementation of hunting and fishing policies or regulations 
that are consistent with state and local regulations and Tribal Treaty 
rights.
    (3) Scientific studies, surveys, data collection, monitoring, and 
information gathering activities that are minimally intrusive to the 
environment. Examples include, but are not limited to topographic 
surveys; bird counts; wetland mapping; use of remote sensing 
technologies; geophysical investigations using sonar; inventories, 
evaluation, and mitigation for historic properties in accordance with 
NHPA; other cultural and natural resource surveys, inventories, 
monitoring, and investigations; and geotechnical testing to support 
pre-construction investigations and facility design when the 
geotechnical testing technology used is minimally intrusive to the 
environment (REC required).
    (4) Maintenance, repair, and replacement in kind of archaeological, 
historical, and endangered/threatened species avoidance markers, 
fencing, and signs; and maintenance, repair, and replacement in kind of 
existing fencing to provide improved wildlife ingress and egress.
    (5) Update and implementation of Integrated Natural Resources 
Management Plans (INRMPs) and Integrated Cultural Resources Management 
Plans (ICRMPs), where plan update and implementation activities are 
similar in type, scope, and intensity to those currently allowed and 
result in no new adverse effects on the environment (REC required).
    (6) Actions to find, contain, and eradicate localized populations 
of invasive species using control mechanisms listed in the installation 
Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPMP), provided the invasive species 
control mechanism affects an area 250 cumulative acres or less in size 
(REC required).
    (7) Forestry and associated operations focused on the harvest of 
live trees not to exceed 70 acres. Salvage of dead or dying trees (and 
adjacent live trees) not to exceed 250 acres to control disease or the 
spread of insect infestation. Associated operations include no more 
than 0.5 mile of temporary road construction, and seeding or 
reforestation of timber areas (REC required).
    (8) Prescribed burning not to exceed 4,500 acres per prescribed 
burn project, and mechanical vegetation removal not to exceed 1,000 
acres per vegetation removal project, for the purposes of: Reducing the 
risks and severity of wildland fires and fires resulting from Army 
mission activities; and enhancing the biodiversity, stability, and 
productivity of the natural environment (REC required).
    (e) Procurement and product modifications. (1) Routine procurement 
of goods and other services (complying with applicable procedures for 
procurement of sustainable goods and services) to support operations 
and infrastructure, and routine utility services and contracts.
    (2) Procurement, installation or replacement, or operation of 
utility and communication systems, mobile antennas, data processing 
equipment and similar electronic equipment, that use existing right-of-
way, easement, distribution systems, and/or facilities (REC required).
    (3) Conversion of commercial activities under the provisions of AR 
5-20, Competitive Sourcing Program (for example, conversion of 
commercial RDT&E activities for military equipment). This includes only 
those actions that do not change the actions or the missions of the 
organization or alter the existing land use patterns.
    (4) Modification, product improvement, or configuration engineering 
design change to materiel, structure, item, equipment, or system that 
does not change the original impact of the materiel, structure, item, 
equipment, or system on the environment (REC required).
    (5) Procurement, testing, use, and/or conversion of a commercially 
available product or non-developmental item (defined in Appendix B, 
Section II of this part; for example, forklift, chain saw, security 
monitoring equipment, software, automobile, commercially-available 
heavy equipment, etc.) that does not result in any unusual disposal 
requirements.
    (6) Acquisition or contracting for spares and spare parts, 
consistent with the approved Technical Data Package (TDP).
    (7) Modification and adaptation of commercially available products 
and non-developmental items for military application (for example, 
sportsman's products and wear such as holsters, shotguns, side arms, 
protective shields, clothing, backpacks, etc.), as long as 
modifications do not alter the normal impact to the environment from 
similar military equipment (REC required).
    (8) Adaptation of non-lethal munitions and restraints from law 
enforcement suppliers and industry (for example, rubber bullets, stun 
grenades, and smoke bombs) for military police and crowd control 
activities where there is no change from the original product design 
and there are no unusual disposal requirements; the development and use 
by the military of non-lethal munitions and restraints that are similar 
to those used by local police forces and

[[Page 70344]]

in which there are no unusual disposal requirements (REC required).
    (f) Real estate transactions. (1) Grants, acquisitions, or 
terminations of leases, licenses, easements, permits for use of real 
property or facilities, and land withdrawal continuances or extensions 
that merely establish time periods in which there is no significant 
change in land or facility use (REC required).
    (2) Disposal of excess easement areas to the underlying fee owner 
(REC required).
    (3) Transfer of real property administrative control within the 
Army, to another military department, or to other Federal agency, 
including the return of public domain lands to the Department of 
Interior, and reporting of property as excess and surplus to the 
General Services Administration (GSA) for disposal (REC required).
    (4) Transfer of active installation utilities to a commercial or 
governmental utility provider, except for systems on property that has 
been declared excess and proposed for disposal (REC required).
    (5) Acquisition of real property (including facilities) where the 
land use will not change substantially, or where the land acquired will 
not exceed 40 acres and the use will be similar to Army activities on 
adjacent land (REC required).
    (6) Disposal of real property (including facilities) by the Army 
where the reasonably foreseeable use will not change significantly (REC 
required).
    (7) Agreements entered into with an eligible entity or entities 
under the Army Compatible Use Buffer (ACUB) program, in accordance with 
10 U.S.C. 2684 or under other applicable authorities, that address the 
use or development of real property in the vicinity of, or ecologically 
related to, a military installation or military airspace for purposes 
of limiting development of the property that would be incompatible with 
the mission of the military installation and/or for preserving habitat 
and cultural resources on the property that may eliminate or relieve 
current or anticipated restrictions on military testing, training or 
operations and for which there is no significant change of land use 
(REC required).
    (g) Maintenance, repair, and infrastructure operations. (1) Routine 
repair and maintenance of buildings, facilities, launch pads, 
structures, utility/communication systems, airfields, grounds, parking 
areas, targetry and other stationary equipment on existing ranges, and 
fencing; includes associated components and equipment. Examples 
include, but are not limited to custodial services performed on 
existing facilities, removal and disposal of asbestos-containing 
material (for example, roof material and floor tile) or lead-based 
paint; in accordance with applicable regulations; removal of dead, 
diseased, or damaged trees; and repair of roofs, doors, windows, or 
fixtures (REC required for removal and disposal of asbestos-containing 
material and lead-based paint. REC required for work on structures 
eligible for or listed in the National Register of Historic Places 
where impacts to such environmentally sensitive resources have been 
resolved in accordance with NHPA Section 106 regulatory procedures).
    (2) Routine repairs and maintenance of existing roads, trails, and 
firebreaks. Examples include, but are not limited to, grading and 
clearing the roadside of brush with or without the use of herbicides; 
resurfacing a road to its original conditions; pruning vegetation; 
removal of dead, diseased, or damaged trees; replacing or cleaning 
culverts; and conducting minor soil stabilization activities.
    (3) Routine installation, repair, and maintenance of equipment and 
vehicles (for example wheeled vehicles, tractors, lawn equipment, 
airfield equipment [such as runway visual range equipment and visual 
approach slope indicators], and military vehicles, equipment, and 
systems) that is substantially the same as that routinely performed by 
private sector owners and operators of similar equipment and vehicles. 
This does not include depot maintenance of unique military equipment.
    (4) Repair and maintenance (including replacement and upgrade of 
parts), and decontamination operations for military equipment conducted 
at existing enclosed facilities, to include contractor-operated/owned 
enclosed facilities, consistent with previously established safety 
levels and in compliance with applicable Federal, state, and local 
requirements (REC required if proposed action entails a new/modified 
repair/maintenance operation affecting equipment containing munitions, 
explosives, or hazardous material, and the operation was not 
implemented at the enclosed facility during the preceding 5 years; REC 
required if the proposed action necessitates a new permit or change in 
an existing permit).
    (5) Land repair and maintenance projects for the purpose of 
mitigating the effects of military training exercises. Examples 
include, but are not limited to: Soil stabilization through 
revegetation; installing and maintaining erosion control measures; 
gulley and ravine stabilization; control of invasive vegetation; 
maintenance of existing structures such as culverts, terraces, and 
sediment control structures; and maintenance of improved surfaces that 
are part of the training landscape (REC required).
    (6) Routine maintenance of streams and ditches or other rainwater 
conveyance structures and erosion control and storm water control 
structures (REC required).
    (7) Development, adoption, update, and implementation of an 
installation pesticide, fungicide, herbicide, insecticide, and 
rodenticide-use program and plan (IPMP). The IPMP will provide for 
application of substances approved for use by the appropriate 
regulating agency when the application of such substances is 
implemented in accordance with the manufacturer's label directions, the 
IPMP, and INRMP as applicable. (REC required). This categorical 
exclusion does not apply to implementation of aerial spraying.
    (8) Closure, decommissioning, mothballing, disconnection, and 
similar discontinued use of facilities, equipment, vehicles, aircraft, 
watercraft, and utility and communication systems, whether temporary or 
permanent (REC required).
    (h) Waste, hazardous materials, hazardous waste, and excess 
material and equipment. (1) Use of gauging devices, analytical 
instruments, and other devices containing sealed radiological sources; 
use of industrial radiography; use of radioactive material in medical 
and veterinary practices; possession of radioactive material incident 
to performing services such as installation, maintenance, leak tests, 
and calibration; use of uranium as shielding material in containers or 
devices; and radioactive tracers (REC required).
    (2) Immediate responses in accordance with emergency response plans 
(for example, Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Plan 
(SPCCP)/Installation Spill Contingency Plan (ISCP), and Chemical 
Accident and Incident Response Plan) for release or discharge of oil, 
hazardous materials or hazardous substances; and emergency actions 
taken by Explosive Ordnance Demolition (EOD) detachment or Technical 
Escort Unit.
    (3) Sampling, surveying, well drilling and installation, analytical 
testing, site preparation, and intrusive testing to determine if 
hazardous wastes, contaminants, pollutants, or special hazards are 
present (REC required). No REC required for CERCLA responses or RCRA 
corrective actions.

[[Page 70345]]

    (4) Routine management to include the use of hazardous material or 
waste inventory management systems, transportation, distribution, use, 
storage, treatment, disposal, recycling, and other waste management 
activities for solid waste, hazardous waste, medical waste, 
radiological waste, and special hazards.
    (5) Reutilization, marketing, distribution, donation, and resale of 
items, personal property, equipment, and materiel, to include normal 
transfer of items to the Defense Logistics Agency; items, personal 
property, equipment, and materiel that have been contaminated with 
hazardous materials or wastes but will be adequately cleaned and will 
conform to the applicable regulatory agency's requirements.
    (i) Training; research, development, engineering, testing, 
evaluation, and demonstration; manufacturing operations, and human 
systems integration. (1) Training entirely of an administrative or 
classroom nature.
    (2)(i) Military training, materiel testing, and materiel fielding 
activities conducted in or on existing military structures, ranges, 
maneuver areas, and training areas that are:
    (A) Compatible with the current use of existing military 
structures, ranges, maneuver areas, and training areas;
    (B) Similar in type, intensity, and setting to ongoing military 
activities; and
    (C) Are conducted in accordance with applicable plans and standard 
operating procedures protective of the environment.
    (ii) This categorical exclusion includes: Use of existing SDZs and 
impact areas; emergency response training; use of missile, rocket and 
artillery-type projectiles; survivability and vulnerability testing; 
safety and engineering drills; training exercise modification on a 
Military Operations in Urban Terrain site or in a shoot house; 
simulated war games (in existing structures); and on-post tactical and 
logistical exercises involving brigade size units or smaller (REC 
required).
    (3) Intermittent on-post training activities (or off-post training 
covered by an ARNG land use agreement) that involve no live fire or 
vehicles off established roads or trails. Uses include, but are not 
limited to, land navigation, physical training, FAA approved aerial 
overflights, and small unit level training.
    (4) Flying activities, to include manned and unmanned aerial 
vehicle (UAV) flights, and other airspace use activities (for example, 
missile and projectile flights) in compliance with FAA regulations and 
in accordance with normal flight patterns and elevations for that 
facility/installation.
    (5) Infrequent and temporary increases in air operations that do 
not exceed 50 percent of the typical installation aircraft operations 
rate or 50 additional operations per day. Repetitive use of this CX 
requires further analysis to determine there are no cumulative impacts. 
(REC required).
    (6) Operation of small arms ranges on Army lands of approximately 
40 acres or less in size, without change to noise contours that would 
potentially increase noise impacts to sensitive receptors and/or 
without change to existing SDZs, if operation includes appropriate 
monitoring for potential off-range impacts (for example, under the 
Operational Range Assessment Program or similar procedures). Small arms 
ranges typically include weapons that fire conventional ammunition that 
is .50 caliber or less and hand or launched grenades. Includes 
operation of existing recreational small arms ranges on installations. 
(REC required).
    (7) Routine operation and use of radar, sonar, laser, telemetry, 
and other systems that make use of the electromagnetic spectrum for 
detection, tracking, navigation, range-finding, targeting, 
communications, or other military purposes, within the boundaries of a 
military installation, boundaries of a DoD real estate lease agreement 
land holding, and/or existing airspace currently used for military 
training. Operation must conform to current American National Standards 
Institute/Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers guidelines 
for maximum permissible exposure to electromagnetic fields (REC 
required).
    (8) Research (basic and applied), testing, other RDT&E production/
repair operations, and manufacturing operations conducted at existing 
enclosed facilities to include contractor-operated/owned laboratories 
and other enclosed facilities, consistent with previously established 
safety levels (REC required if the proposed action involves the use of 
munitions and explosives of concern or hazardous material and the 
constituent was not used at the enclosed facility during the preceding 
5 years, or if the proposed action is expected to release radiation).
    (9) New activities conducted at established laboratories or 
manufacturing and maintenance facilities (including contractor-operated 
laboratories and facilities) of a similar type, nature, and scope as 
the prior or existing activities on the facility.
    (10) Testing, evaluation, and demonstration of Soldier equipment, 
to include the operator, maintainer, and supporter, and support 
facilities, that provide for protection of the Soldier and the delivery 
of required ammunition, cargo, unit equipment, and shelters. Soldier 
support activities include the transportability testing of mobile 
facilities that include evaluation of weight, center of gravity, tilt 
table, and lane change, initial inspection, safety, weight, rail 
impact, mobility testing, drop test, and final inspection. Testing also 
includes evaluation of the Lightweight Chemical-Biological Protection, 
including collective protection and detection equipment, to determine 
the durability of the Soldier-worn materials and to gain wearability 
data, including mock training exercises (REC required).
    (11) Testing, evaluation, and demonstration of small-scale Army 
equipment with similar constituents and use as commercially available 
equipment (for example, backpacks, batteries, radios, flashlights, 
helmets, clothing, shoes, Global Positioning Systems, containers, test 
kits, respirators, netting, tents, stretchers, splints, and medical 
equipment).
    (12)(i) Flight testing, evaluation, and demonstration of surface-
to-surface, air-to-surface, surface-to-air, and air-to-air rockets, 
missiles, and medium and large caliber ammunition or artillery-type 
projectiles where:
    (A) The projectile launch, flight, landing, and vehicle/payload 
recovery occurs solely within the boundaries of a military installation 
or within DoD real estate lease agreement land holdings;
    (B) The entire flight from launch to landing occurs over an 
established range designated for testing of such projectiles;
    (C) Landing and recovery, when feasible, of boosters, (surface) 
projectiles, payload, aerial targets and/or related debris occurs 
within a designated impact area (such as a warhead impact target area); 
and
    (D) Recovery operations will be coordinated with explosive ordnance 
disposal (EOD) personnel to ensure test debris is rendered harmless to 
human health and safety prior to recovery.
    (ii) This CX does not apply to the testing, evaluation, or 
demonstration of projectiles with payloads designed to release 
radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosives or other types of 
payloads that could cause significant threat to human health and/or the 
environment if released (REC required).
    (13) Testing, evaluation, and demonstration of man portable, 
individual, and crew-served weapons systems used principally against 
personnel and lightly armored targets, to

[[Page 70346]]

include both ballistic and non-ballistic systems and associated 
ordnance, munitions, aiming, powering, storage, training, specialized 
maintenance equipment, logistic support, and other ancillary items 
where:
    (i) The small arms firing occur solely within the boundaries of a 
military installation;
    (ii) The entire firing occurs over an established range designated 
for testing of small arms; and
    (iii) Landing and recovery, when feasible, of munitions and/or 
debris occurs within a designated impact area (REC required).
    (14) Testing, evaluation, and demonstration of mortars on military 
installations, including:
    (i) General support, weapon system testing, production 
qualifications testing, mortar detection and data acquisition, proof 
assembly testing, acceptance testing, classification testing, and 
mortar technology demonstrations;
    (ii) General support for mortars testing requiring small arms 
firing, grenade launcher firing, and rocket propelled grenades firing 
when launch, flight, and impact occur on designated ranges; or
    (iii) Final classification testing, including static functioning of 
test items in a boxed and stacked configuration when launch, flight, 
and/or impact/detonation occur on designated ranges (REC required).
    (15) Automotive testing involving testing, evaluation, and 
demonstration of automotive performance, transportability, reliability, 
human factors engineering and all applicable human systems integration 
domains, rail impact, lift and tie-down, tilt table, braking, steering 
and handling, side slopes, longitudinal slopes, gradeability, 
acceleration, and standard obstacles. Testing also includes:
    (i) Testing mobile equipment which includes weight and center of 
gravity, tilt table, and lane change;
    (ii) Automotive performance tests accomplished in environmental 
chambers or in existing outdoor testing area, including blowing rain 
and sand tests and transportability tests (lift provision compression 
test, helicopter flight, and rail impact);
    (iii) Specific automotive testing measuring for weight, center of 
gravity, and moment of inertia, and tire, track, and suspension dynamic 
and static properties;
    (iv) Testing of automotive trailers for resistance to towing; and
    (v) Performance vehicles tested for speed and acceleration, 
gradeability and side slopes, standard obstacles, transportability, 
fuel consumption, full load cooling, environmental performance, ride 
quality, winching, braking, steering and handling, towing 
compatibility, human factors, and material handling cranes (REC 
required).
    (16) Testing, evaluation, and demonstration of robotic vehicles, to 
include Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV). Testing includes scenarios that:
    (i) Test UGVs and Soldiers individually;
    (ii) Test the interface between UGVs and Soldiers in mounted and 
dismounted maneuvers on existing test grids and training ranges, 
including navigation and identification of obstacles, targets, and 
hazards;
    (iii) Test vehicles on existing test courses and existing improved 
surfaces; and
    (iv) Test vehicles operating in test chambers while subjected to 
environmental conditions (REC required).
    (17) Testing, evaluation, and demonstration of UAV and associated 
technologies. Testing includes scenarios in which:
    (i) The UAV is launched, operated, landed, and recovered solely 
within land boundaries of a military installation or within DoD real 
estate lease agreement land holdings;
    (ii) The entire flight from launch to landing occurs over an 
established range designed for testing of such systems;
    (iii) The entire flight from launch to landing occurs within DoD 
controlled airspace; and
    (iv) Landing and recovery of UAVs, and recovery, when feasible, of 
associated test materials including munitions occurs within a 
designated test range or impact area (REC required).

Subpart D--Environmental Assessments


Sec.  651.13  Introduction.

    (a) An EA is intended to facilitate agency planning and informed 
decision-making. The analysis should describe the potential extent of 
impacts of a proposed action and its alternatives to determine whether 
those impacts are significant. The EA is the basis for determining that 
impacts would not be significant or that EIS is not necessary.
    (b) The length of an EA should be adequate to meet the requirements 
of this part, depending upon site-specific circumstances and 
conditions.
    (c) See Sec.  651.8 for security review and clearance procedures 
for NEPA documents.


Sec.  651.14  Actions normally requiring an EA.

    The following Army actions may require an EA, unless they qualify 
for the use of a CX or are already addressed in an applicable NEPA 
document. This list is not binding nor is it all inclusive.
    (a) Military construction, including contracts for off-post 
construction.
    (b) Land use changes.
    (c) Actions involving environmentally sensitive resources.
    (d) Proposed actions which support system acquisition throughout 
the system's lifecycle such as testing, fielding, and other program 
events.
    (e) Implementation of INRMPs, ICRMPs, Installation Master Plans, 
and similar management plans when there may be impacts on the 
environment.
    (f) Military training and testing activities on land, air, or 
water.
    (g) An action with significant local or regional effects on energy 
or water availability.
    (h) Increases in production of hazardous or toxic materials.
    (i) Changes to noise patterns that would affect sensitive 
receptors.
    (j) Changes to established airspace use or restrictions.
    (k) Actions with significant local or regional socioeconomic 
effects.
    (l) Acquisition or construction of (or space for) a facility that 
will use hazardous materials, drugs, or biological or radioactive 
materials. New use of hazardous materials, drugs, or biological or 
radioactive materials in a facility currently not using this material.
    (m) Changes in Army-wide doctrine or policy when there may be an 
impact on the environment.


Sec.  651.15  Contents of the EA.

    EAs will include:
    (a) Signature page to document approval of the EA. The signed 
signature page accompanies the EA when made available with the Draft 
FONSI for public comment.
    (b) Purpose. Purpose of and need for the proposed action.
    (c) Description. Description of the proposed action.
    (d) Alternatives considered. The EA should briefly identify and 
describe the alternatives carried forward for analysis, including the 
``No Action'' alternative and all other appropriate and reasonable 
alternatives that can accomplish the purpose and need for the proposed 
action. The discussion of alternatives should discuss why any 
alternatives were eliminated from full consideration.
    (e) Affected environment. The EA must address or adopt by reference 
the general conditions and nature of the affected environment and 
establish the environmental setting against which environmental effects 
are evaluated. This should include any relevant general baseline 
conditions for those resources analyzed.

[[Page 70347]]

    (f) Environmental consequences. The EA must address the effects 
(direct, indirect, and cumulative) of the proposed action and its 
alternatives on the environment. Discussion and comparison of impacts 
must provide sufficient analysis to reach a conclusion regarding the 
intensity of the impacts and whether any are significant. The EA will 
set out the threshold or criteria for each resource for a determination 
that a significant impact would occur. The EA analysis procedures must 
be sufficiently rigorous to identify and analyze impacts that could be 
individually or cumulatively significant. The EA must identify when 
information is incomplete or unavailable, and will address the missing 
information in substantially the same way as prescribed for EISs (see 
Sec.  651.21).
    (g) Mitigation. The EA must identify what practical mitigation 
measures are available to reduce, avoid, minimize, rectify, compensate 
or eliminate identified adverse effects (see subpart F of this part). 
If applicable, the EA must clearly identify any mitigation measures 
that would be required to reduce an impact to less than significant. 
Proponents are encouraged to identify existing procedures or 
requirements that will be implemented as part of the proposed action 
and serve to mitigate adverse effects. When mitigation is a component 
or factor of the proposed action (e.g., mitigation by design), it 
should be so identified in the EA.
    (h) Conclusion. The EA will provide a clear statement regarding 
whether or not the described impacts of the proposed action and 
alternatives are significant and whether or not any of the conclusions 
of less than significant are dependent upon mitigation measures being 
implemented. The EA will explain the next steps in the decision-making 
process, specifically identifying whether the outcome of the EA will be 
a FONSI or an NOI to prepare an EIS.
    (i) List of analysts/preparers and agencies and persons consulted. 
Copies of correspondence with agencies and persons contacted during the 
preparation of the EA will be available in the administrative record 
and may be included in the EA as appendices. When operational security 
concerns require, the information specified in this paragraph may be 
omitted.
    (j) References. References and appendices (as appropriate).
    (k) Public and agency involvement. The EA will include a summary of 
the past public and agency involvement in the NEPA process for the 
proposed action and a summary of instructions for commenting on the EA 
and draft FONSI. The instructions for commenting will include the 
public comment time period, due date for comments, and contact 
information for inquiries and comment submissions. The content of the 
appropriate public notice for the EA, as well as the body of the EA 
itself, will state where the EA and draft FONSI will be available to be 
accessed during the public comment period. If the EA included a 
Cooperating Agency, the agency will be identified.


Sec.  651.16  Contents of the FONSI.

    (a) The FONSI briefly states why a proposed action will not 
significantly affect the environment and that an EIS will not be 
prepared. The FONSI includes summaries of information taken into 
account by the approving official. The FONSI should adopt the EA's 
discussion by reference.
    (b) The draft FONSI will accompany the signed EA when made 
available for public comment. The draft FONSI must contain the 
following:
    (1) The name of the proposed action and a reference to the EA for 
which the FONSI is issued. The FONSI should specifically state that it 
adopts the EA by reference.
    (2) A brief description of the proposed action and alternatives 
analyzed in the EA.
    (3) A summary and short discussion of the anticipated environmental 
effects of the proposed action, alternatives, and the no action 
alternative, and a determination of whether any of the impacts are 
significant.
    (4) Identification of any mitigation measures that are necessary to 
reduce impacts to less than significant. The FONSI shall state the 
means of and authority for any mitigation that the proponent has 
adopted, any applicable monitoring or enforcement provisions, and any 
enforceable mitigation requirements or commitments that will be 
undertaken to avoid significant impacts.
    (5) When mitigation is a component or factor of the proposed action 
(e.g., mitigation by design), it should be so identified in the FONSI.
    (6) A brief discussion of public involvement and agency 
coordination/consultation.
    (7) A declaration that the determination made in the draft FONSI is 
a preliminary determination, and that no final determination will be 
made until all comments submitted by the end of the public comment 
period have been considered.
    (8) The approving official's signature block (unsigned).
    (c) The final FONSI will be prepared following the public comment 
period. The final FONSI must contain the following:
    (1) All items specified in paragraphs (b)(1) through (6) of this 
section, and the approving official's signature and date of signature.
    (2) A statement that a FONSI is still appropriate following review 
of public comments and (if applicable) that the analysis of any new 
information that has come to the attention of the approving official 
since completion of the EA indicates no supplementation of the EA is 
necessary. If this statement cannot be made, the proponent must either 
supplement the EA and republish it or publish an NOI and proceed with 
an EIS. The proponent can also decline to pursue the proposed action.
    (3) The proponent may proceed with the proposed action once the 
FONSI is signed.


Sec.  651.17  EA review process.

    (a) An EA may result either in a FONSI, an NOI to prepare an EIS, 
or a determination not to pursue the proposed action.
    (b) At any time during the EA process, when it is determined that 
the proposed action may have significant impacts that cannot be 
mitigated to level below significance, an NOI to prepare an EIS may be 
initiated. In this case, an EA in preparation need not be completed. 
The proponent should notify the approving official of any such 
determination as soon as possible. See Sec.  651.22(c) for guidance on 
preparing the NOI.
    (c) The EA and draft FONSI will be made available to the public for 
30 days.
    (1) The 30-day period begins on the date that a public notice is 
published indicating the EA and draft FONSI are available for review. 
For actions of local or regional interest, the public notice regarding 
the availability of the EA and draft FONSI will be published in the 
appropriate local or regional media.
    (2) The public notice must specify the deadline date for receipt of 
comments and describe the steps required to obtain the EA and draft 
FONSI. This can include a POC, address, and phone number; a location; a 
reference to a website; or some equivalent mechanism.
    (3) In cases where a 30-day review period creates an unacceptable 
risk to national security concerns, the review period may be shortened 
by the proponent. In no circumstances should the public comment period 
for an EA/draft FONSI be less than 15 days.
    (d) If the proposed action is nationwide in scope and of national 
concern, the availability of the EA and draft FONSI may be published in 
the FR, subject to DASA ESOH approval.

[[Page 70348]]

The FR publication package must be submitted in accordance with Sec.  
651.25.
    (e) Distribution of the EA and draft FONSI should include any 
agencies, organizations, and individuals that have expressed interest 
in the project, those who may be affected, and others deemed 
appropriate.
    (f) The proponent is responsible for the distribution of the EA and 
draft FONSI package and consideration of review comments received. 
Public and inter-agency meetings may be held if the proponent 
determines that such meetings are needed and appropriate.

Subpart E--Environmental Impact Statements


Sec.  651.18  Introduction.

    (a) An EIS is a tool to facilitate a full, open, and balanced 
discussion of significant environmental impacts that may result from a 
proposed action and alternatives, allowing public review and comment on 
the proposal and providing a basis for informed decision-making. See 
Sec.  651.6(b) for more information on levels of NEPA review.
    (b) An EIS may be required when the proponent reasonably believes 
that the proposed action has:
    (1) Potential for significant impact on the human environment, 
either on its own or when its impacts are combined with those of other 
actions.
    (2) Potential for significant threat or hazard to public health or 
safety.
    (3) Potential for controversy regarding the factual evidence 
pertaining to the effects of the proposed action on the environment.
    (c) Proponents will apply NEPA optimizing measures to EIS actions 
Sec.  651.4(e).
    (d) Proponents see Sec.  651.8 for security review and clearance 
procedures for NEPA documents.


Sec.  651.19  Actions normally requiring an EIS.

    The following actions normally require an EIS. The threshold for 
significance is a matter of context and intensity and will vary between 
installations. This list is not binding nor is it all inclusive.
    (a) Substantial expansion of military facilities and 
infrastructure.
    (b) Construction that has the potential for a significant effect on 
``environmentally sensitive'' resources as described in Sec.  
651.11(c).
    (c) The disposal of nuclear materials, munitions, explosives, 
industrial and military chemicals, and other hazardous or toxic 
substances that have the potential to cause significant environmental 
impacts.
    (d) Major land acquisitions, leasing, or other actions that may 
lead to significant changes in land use.
    (e) Stationing of a brigade or larger unit, except where the only 
significant impacts are socioeconomic.
    (f) Major training exercises or testing activities with potential 
for new and adverse environmental impacts.
    (g) Changes in the mission, unit structure, or facilities with 
potential for significant environmental impacts.
    (h) Initial public land withdrawals of over 5,000 acres.


Sec.  651.20  Contents of the EIS.

    (a) Cover sheet. The cover sheet will include:
    (1) A list of responsible agencies including the lead agency and 
any cooperating agency, if applicable.
    (2) The title of the proposed action and, if appropriate, the 
titles of related cooperating agency actions, together with state and 
installation, municipality, or other local designation where the action 
is located.
    (3) A designation of the statement as a draft, final, or draft or 
final supplement.
    (4) Date completed.
    (b) Administrative information. (1) The address for submission of 
comments and inquiries, the telephone number for inquiries, and, as 
appropriate, the name and title of the approving official.
    (2) A one-paragraph abstract of the statement that describes the 
purpose and need for the proposed action, alternatives, the significant 
environmental consequences of the proposed action and alternatives, and 
mitigation measures.
    (3) In the case of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), 
the date by which comments must be received, computed in accordance 
with the minimum public comment period prescribed herein, will be 
included in the instructions for commenting.
    (c) Summary. The purpose of the summary is to provide a brief 
overview of the purpose and need for the action, alternatives 
considered, environmental impacts, areas of controversy, mitigation 
measures, and issues yet to be resolved. The summary will also contain 
a synopsis of state and Federal consultations and permit requirements 
and their status.
    (d) Table of contents. The table of contents should include a 
sequential list of the EIS's organizational structure (e.g., chapter 
and/or section numbers and headings), figures, tables, and appendices; 
and the associated starting page number of each item listed. The 
electronic version of the Draft and Final EIS filed with EPA and made 
available to the public will meet related requirements noted in EPA's 
EIS filing protocols regarding enabling a reader to find specific 
document sections (e.g., bookmarking feature) rapidly.
    (e) Purpose of and need for the proposed action. This section 
should clearly state the nature of the problem or need to which the 
proponent is responding.
    (f) Description of the proposed action and any alternatives carried 
forward for analysis, including the no action alternative. This section 
will include:
    (1) A discussion on how the proposed action and the range of 
alternatives would solve the problem or fulfill the need.
    (2) The relevant background information on the proposed action; its 
operational, social, economic, and environmental objectives, and its 
benefits. If a cost-benefit analysis has been prepared for the proposed 
action, it may be included here, or attached as an appendix and 
referenced here.
    (3) All reasonable alternatives, including the no action 
alternative. The Army will identify the preferred alternative or 
alternatives, if one or more exists, in the DEIS and identify such 
alternative in the FEIS unless another law prohibits the expression of 
such a preference. List any alternatives that were eliminated from 
detailed study, and include a brief discussion of the reasons for which 
each alternative was eliminated.
    (4) A description of environmental management practices and 
measures that are currently in effect and are therefore considered part 
of the proposed action and alternatives, and will serve to minimize, 
mitigate, or eliminate adverse effects.
    (5) A list of anticipated state and Federal permits and other legal 
requirements.
    (g) Affected environment (baseline conditions) that may be 
impacted. This section will contain information about existing 
conditions in the affected areas in sufficient detail to understand the 
potential effects of the alternatives under consideration. Affected 
elements could include, for example, biophysical characteristics 
(ecology and water quality); land use and land use plans; 
architectural, historical, and cultural amenities; utilities and 
services; and transportation. This section will not be encyclopedic. It 
will be written clearly and the degree of detail for points covered 
will be related to the magnitude of expected impacts. Information on 
baseline conditions may be adopted by reference where appropriate.

[[Page 70349]]

    (h) Environmental consequences and mitigation measures. This 
section forms the scientific and analytic basis for the comparison of 
impacts. The environmental impacts of the alternatives should be 
presented in comparative form, thus sharply defining the issues and 
providing a clear basis for choice among the options that are provided 
to the approving official and the public. For each resource area, the 
threshold for significance should be set out. The information should be 
summarized in a brief, concise manner including graphics, and tabular 
or matrix formats. The following areas will be covered:
    (1) Direct effects (short-term and long-term) and their 
significance.
    (2) Indirect effects (short-term and long-term) and their 
significance.
    (3) Possible conflicts between the proposed action and existing 
land use plans, policies, and controls.
    (4) Energy requirements and conservation potential of various 
alternatives and mitigation measures.
    (5) Irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources 
associated with the proposed action.
    (6) Relationship between short-term use of the environment and 
maintenance and enhancement of long-term productivity.
    (7) Urban quality, historic and cultural resources, and design of 
the built environment, including the reuse and conservation potential 
of various alternatives and mitigation measures.
    (8) Cumulative effects of the proposed action in light of other 
past, present, and reasonably foreseeable actions.
    (9) Means to mitigate adverse environmental effects (see subpart F 
of this part).
    (10) The extent to which adverse effects would remain after 
application of identified mitigation measures.
    (11) The analysis will address impacts to all resources, including 
impacts which are less than significant. Discussion and comparison of 
impacts should provide sufficient analysis to reach a conclusion 
regarding the significance of the impacts, and not merely be a 
quantification of facts. Mitigation measures whose implementation forms 
the basis of any ``less than significant'' conclusion should be so 
identified.
    (12) The analysis will address circumstances where mitigation of 
adverse environmental effects is not technically, financially, or 
otherwise feasible. The analysis will explain why mitigation of adverse 
environmental effects is not feasible and the loss of environmentally 
sensitive resource(s) without mitigation measures is acceptable 
relative to the importance of the proposed action to national policy 
and national defense.
    (i) Conclusions. The EIS will clearly state the conclusions of the 
environmental consequences analysis, to include a summary of mitigation 
measures.
    (1) The EIS will provide a comparative presentation of the 
environmental consequences of all alternatives analyzed.
    (2) To simplify consideration of complex relationships, the summary 
of proposed mitigation measures shall include a table format 
presentation or refer to a distinct and unambiguous mitigation and 
monitoring plan that is part of the EIS.
    (3) To simplify consideration of mitigation measures and to improve 
tracking, the summary of proposed mitigation measures will include a 
table format presentation.
    (j) Public and agency involvement. A summary of public and agency 
involvement in the EIS process, both past and future, as appropriate, 
will be provided in the Draft and Final EIS. Past involvement would 
address, for example, public scoping. Future involvement documented in 
the Draft EIS would succinctly address, for example, public meetings 
and the opportunity to submit written comments.
    (k) Other environmental statutes. The Draft and Final EIS will 
summarize the requirements for and status of compliance under other 
environmental statutes that would have to be completed prior to 
implementing the proposed action or alternatives. This summary should 
be presented in the discussion for each resource area. The Final EIS 
should document (in an appendix) the results of required compliance 
under other statutes.
    (l) The Final EIS will document (in an appendix) public and agency 
comments received as part of the Draft EIS public comment period. 
Comments will be clearly credited to the appropriate entity (e.g., 
commenting organization or individual with personal information such as 
physical address, email address, and phone number removed). The Final 
EIS will document the Army's response to the issues raised. Where 
possible, similar comments will be grouped for a common response.
    (m) Signature page. The Draft and Final EIS will be signed by the 
approving official.
    (n) List of preparers. The EIS will list the names of its 
preparers, including those people who were primarily responsible for 
preparing (research, data collection, and writing) the EIS or 
significant background or support papers, and basic components of the 
statement. When possible, the individuals who are responsible for a 
particular analysis, as well as an analysis of background papers, will 
be identified. If some or all of the preparers are contractors' 
employees, they must be identified as such.
    (o) Distribution list. For the DEIS, a list will be prepared 
indicating from whom review and comment is requested. The list will 
include public agencies, private parties or organizations, federally-
recognized Indian Tribes, Native Alaskans, and Native Hawaiians.
    (p) References. References and appendices (as appropriate).


Sec.  651.21  Incomplete or unavailable information.

    When the proposed action will have significant adverse effects on 
the human environment, and there is incomplete or unavailable 
information, the EIS will make clear that the information is lacking, 
and will address the issue as follows:
    (a) If the incomplete information relevant to reasonably 
foreseeable significant adverse impacts is essential to a reasoned 
choice among alternatives and the overall costs of obtaining it are not 
exorbitant, the Army will include the information in the EIS.
    (b) If the information relevant to reasonably foreseeable 
significant adverse impacts cannot be obtained because the overall 
costs of obtaining it are exorbitant or the means to obtain it are not 
known (for example, the means for obtaining it are beyond the state of 
the art), the EIS will include:
    (1) A statement that such information is incomplete or unavailable.
    (2) A statement of the relevance of the incomplete or unavailable 
information to evaluating the reasonably foreseeable significant 
adverse impacts on the human environment.
    (3) A summary of existing credible scientific evidence that is 
relevant to evaluating the reasonably foreseeable significant adverse 
impacts on the human environment.
    (4) An evaluation of such impacts based upon theoretical approaches 
or research methods generally accepted in the scientific community.


Sec.  651.22  EIS process.

    (a) Purpose and need. The first step in preparing an EIS is to 
articulate the purpose and need for the proposed action.
    (b) Public participation plan. A public participation plan that 
provides for periodic interaction with the

[[Page 70350]]

community should be developed. The proponent is responsible for 
ensuring information is provided to members of the public regarding 
where they can obtain information about the ongoing action.
    (c) NOI. The NOI initiates the formal scoping process and its 
preparation is the responsibility of the proponent.
    (1) Prior to preparing an EIS, an NOI will be published in the FR 
in accordance with Sec.  651.25 and, as appropriate, in media outlets 
with general circulation in the areas potentially affected by the 
proposed action. After the NOI is published in the FR, copies of the 
notice may also be distributed to agencies, organizations, and 
individuals, as the proponent deems appropriate.
    (2) The NOI will clearly state the purpose and need, describe the 
proposed action and alternatives, and state why the action may have 
unknown and/or significant environmental impacts.
    (d) Lead and cooperating agency determination. As soon as possible 
after the decision is made to prepare an EIS, the proponent will ensure 
contact is made with appropriate Federal, tribal, state, and local 
agencies to identify lead or cooperating agency responsibilities 
concerning EIS preparation.
    (e) Scoping. The proponent will begin the scoping process. Portions 
of the scoping process may take place prior to publication of the NOI.
    (1) As part of the scoping process, determine whether to hold 
public meetings.
    (2) Scoping determines the scope of issues to address in the EIS 
and identifies the significant issues related to the proposed action. 
During the scoping process, participants identify the range of actions, 
alternatives, and impacts to consider in the EIS.
    (3) The extent of the scoping process, including public 
involvement, will depend on several factors. These factors include, but 
are not limited to:
    (i) The size and type of the proposed action.
    (ii) Whether the proposed action is of regional or national 
interest.
    (iii) Degree of possible environmental controversy.
    (iv) Geographic range of the affected environmental parameters.
    (v) Extent of prior environmental compliance reviews.
    (vi) Involvement of any substantive time limits.
    (vii) Requirements of other laws for environmental review.
    (viii) Anticipated cumulative impacts.
    (f) NOA publication. Upon completion of the DEIS, a NOA will be 
published in the FR in accordance with Sec.  651.25.
    (1) Following approval of the publication package, the proponent 
will provide the DEIS to EPA for filing and notice in the FR in 
accordance with EPA procedures.
    (i) The EPA publishes a weekly notice of EISs filed with EPA during 
the preceding week. The EPA's notice provides the date by which the 
comment period ends for each Draft EIS listed. Unless requested 
otherwise by the Army, and based upon compelling reasons of national 
policy after consultation with EPA, the comment period end date is 
calculated based upon the date EPA's notice is published.
    (ii) EPA reviews the DEIS and provides an assessment.
    (2) Publication of the Army's approved NOA in the FR will occur at 
the same time as the FR publication of EPA's weekly notice.
    (3) The DEIS is distributed simultaneously with publication of the 
NOA in the FR.
    (g) Public review and participation. (1) The following time 
periods, calculated from the publication date of the FR notice, will 
generally be observed:
    (i) Not less than 45 days for public comment on DEISs.
    (ii) Not less than 15 days for public availability of DEISs prior 
to any public meeting on the DEIS.
    (iii) See Sec.  651.22(k) for time period limitations regarding a 
decision on the proposed action.
    (2) The proponent may also set time limits for other procedures or 
decisions related to DEISs and FEISs.
    (h) Public meetings or hearings on the DEIS. If appropriate, hold 
public meetings or hearings on the DEIS. Media releases to publicize 
the meetings or hearings should be issued at least 15 days prior to the 
meeting. If the public is invited to provide verbal comments on the 
DEIS at the meeting or hearing, the comments will be recorded verbatim. 
If public involvement requirements associated with laws and regulations 
other than NEPA are integrated with a public meeting or hearing on the 
DEIS (e.g., 36 CFR 800.2(d)(1) through (3) for public involvement under 
the NHPA), the media release should identify these additional elements.
    (i) The FEIS. (1) Following the public comment period, the 
proponent is responsible for preparation of the FEIS.
    (i) If the changes to the DEIS are exclusively clarifications or 
minor factual corrections, a document consisting of only the DEIS 
comments, responses to the comments, and errata sheets may be prepared 
and circulated. If such an abbreviated FEIS is anticipated, the DEIS 
should contain a statement advising reviewers to keep the document so 
they will have a complete set of final documents. The final EIS to be 
filed with EPA will consist of a complete document containing a new 
cover sheet, the errata sheets, comments and responses, and the text of 
the DEIS.
    (ii) If substantial modifications are warranted, the proponent will 
ensure a complete FEIS is prepared. The FEIS distribution must include 
any person, organization, or agency that submitted substantive comments 
on the DEIS. The Army will identify the preferred alternative or 
alternatives in the FEIS unless another law prohibits the expression of 
such a preference.
    (2) Coordination, approval, filing, and public notice of an FEIS 
are the same as for a draft DEIS.
    (j) Changes during preparation. If there are substantial changes in 
the proposed action, or significant new information relevant to 
environmental concerns during the proposed action's planning process, 
the proponent will prepare revisions or a supplement to the NEPA 
document or prepare new documentation or supplemental information as 
necessary.
    (k) Decision. No decision will be made on a proposed action until 
30 days after EPA has published its notice of receipt of the FEIS in 
the FR, or 90 days after the EPA notice of receipt of the DEIS, 
whichever is later. The ROD documents that the decision has been made 
and the basis for that decision.


Sec.  651.23  Record of Decision.

    The proponent will prepare the ROD. The ROD will be signed by the 
approving official and will:
    (a) Clearly state the decision by describing it in sufficient 
detail to address the significant issues and ensure necessary long-term 
monitoring and execution.
    (b) Identify all alternatives considered by the Army in reaching 
its decision. Discuss preferences among alternatives based on relevant 
factors including environmental, economic, and technical considerations 
and agency statutory missions. Identify the environmentally preferred 
alternative.
    (c) Identify and discuss all such factors, including any essential 
considerations of national policy and national defense that were 
balanced by the Army in making its decision. Because economic and 
technical analyses are balanced with environmental factors, the 
selected alternative will not necessarily be the environmentally 
preferred alternative.

[[Page 70351]]

    (d) Discuss how the considerations of Sec.  651.23(c), above, 
entered into the decision.
    (e) State whether all practicable means to avoid or minimize 
environmental harm from the selected alternative have been adopted, and 
if not, why they were not.
    (f) Clearly and expressly identify or adopt by reference those 
mitigation measures that were incorporated into the decision which 
require specific funding (i.e., funding that will be required in 
addition to the applicable Army organizations' internal operating 
budget and will be dedicated to the specified mitigation measure) and 
those for which specific monitoring is appropriate (e.g., results in a 
specific deliverable such as a survey or report, requires reporting to 
a regulatory agency, etc.).
    (g) Adopt mitigation measures to reduce adverse environmental 
effects (see subpart F of this part). Mitigation measures may include 
actions that require programming and funding, and measures that are 
already in effect and do not require additional funding (e.g., standard 
operating procedures, best management practices, etc.).
    (h) Include a statement that the Antideficiency Act (31 U.S.C. 
1341) prevents Federal agencies, including the Army, from incurring 
obligations that are not yet funded by Congress, and that while the 
Army's intent is to pursue funding for all mitigation measures 
identified in the ROD, the Army is limited by future Congressionally-
approved budgets.


Sec.  651.24  Implementation of Decision.

    (a) Implementation of the decision may begin immediately after 
signature on the ROD. The proponent will prepare and coordinate a NOA 
for publication in the FR in accordance with Sec.  651.25.
    (b) The proponent is responsible for implementing mitigation 
measures and other conditions that have been identified in the EIS and 
included in the ROD. The proponent, in coordination with the 
Installation Commander as appropriate will:
    (1) Include appropriate conditions in grants, permits, or other 
approvals.
    (2) Ensure that funding is secured for selected mitigation 
measures.
    (3) Upon request, inform cooperating or commenting agencies on the 
progress in carrying out adopted mitigation measures and make the 
results of relevant monitoring available.


Sec.  651.25  Federal Register publication of Army actions.

    The proponent is responsible for preparation of the FR publication 
package for their actions. FR publication packages are required for EIS 
NOIs, EIS NOAs, RODs, and notices of withdrawal of an EIS NOI. By 
exception, NOA FR publication packages are also prepared for EAs/draft 
FONSIs that are nationwide in scope and of national concern. FR 
publication packages must be coordinated and contain the documentation 
as required in this section.
    (a) The FR publication package must include: The FR NOI, NOA, or 
ROD as appropriate; either Information for Members of Congressional 
Delegations (if the action is affecting one or several installations 
and states) or Information for Members of Congress (if the action is 
nation-wide, affecting many installations and states to a point that 
requires informing all Members of Congress); Questions and Answers; 
Press Release; and the proponent's record of coordination.
    (b) The FR publication package must be coordinated by the proponent 
as follows:
    (1) The proponent will coordinate the FR publication package 
through their chain of command to DCS, G-9 and OTJAG for review. The 
proponent will address all comments and questions from DCS, G-9 and 
OTJAG. The DCS, G-9 will forward the FR publication package to ODASA 
(ESOH) with all revisions incorporated.
    (2) ODASA (ESOH) will coordinate the FR package with OCLL, OCPA, 
OGC, and the SA (as appropriate).
    (3) Information for Members of Congressional Delegations is 
prepared for actions of interest to a specific Delegation(s). By 
exception, when the action has nation-wide implications to the point 
where it is appropriate to provide information on the action to every 
Member of Congress an Information for Members of Congress is prepared 
by the proponent.
    (4) ODASA (ESOH) provides the approved FR package to the Army 
Federal Register Liaison Officer for publication in the FR. The Army 
Federal Register Liaison Officer will provide the anticipated date the 
FR notice will be published.
    (c) ODASA (ESOH) will notify DCS, G-9, the proponent, and OCLL of 
the anticipated FR publication date. OCLL will notify the relevant 
Members of Congress of the action prior to publication in the FR.
    (1) If the action is a NOA for a Draft or Final EIS, the proponent 
or their designee is responsible for uploading of the required 
documents to EPA's EIS website (https://www.epa.gov/nepa). Uploading 
the EIS to EPA's EIS website shall not precede Secretariat approval of 
the FR package.
    (2) Publication or release of local notices by Army proponents 
shall not precede the FR notice, and will be identical to the notice 
published in the FR.
    (3) It is the proponent's responsibility to allow sufficient time 
to coordinate publication of their notice in the FR in order to avoid 
conflicts with execution of the proposed action.

Subpart F--Mitigation and Monitoring


Sec.  651.26  Mitigation.

    (a) Throughout the NEPA process, the proponent must consider 
mitigation measures to avoid, minimize, or compensate for adverse 
environmental effects:
    (b) Identification of Mitigations. Potential mitigation measures 
must be identified for all adverse effects, not just those that are 
significant. Some adverse effects are so minute as to be barely 
noticeable; for these de minimis effects, it is possible that no 
mitigation is required. When mitigation is a component or factor of the 
proposed action (e.g., mitigation by design), it should be identified 
in the EA or EIS.
    (c) Determining Appropriate Mitigation Measures. The identification 
and evaluation of appropriate mitigation measures must involve the use 
of experts familiar with the predicted environmental impacts, in 
addition to collaboration with affected resource agencies.
    (d) Practicability of Mitigation Measures. Only those practicable 
mitigation measures that can reasonably be accomplished as part of a 
proposed action and alternatives will be identified. A number of 
factors determine what is practicable, including military mission, 
manpower restrictions, financial feasibility, technical feasibility, 
institutional barriers, and public acceptance. In certain 
circumstances, mitigation of adverse environmental effects may not be 
practicable and the decision to proceed with an action may result in an 
acceptable loss of environmentally sensitive resources.
    (e) Adoption and Implementation of Mitigation. Implementation of 
mitigation measures is the responsibility of the proponent. The 
proponent will make available to the public, upon request, the status 
and results of mitigation measures associated with the proposed action.
    (f) Any mitigation measures selected will be clearly outlined in 
the FONSI or ROD. All practicable means to avoid or minimize 
environmental effects

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resulting from the selected alternative should be adopted, or an 
explanation given as to why they were not. Mitigation measures that 
were considered in the EA or EIS but rejected in the FONSI or ROD must 
be discussed, providing the reason for rejection.
    (g) An EA may result in a FONSI based upon the analysis and 
selection of mitigation measures that reduce adverse environmental 
effects to the point that they are no longer significant. If mitigation 
measures are used in such a manner, the FONSI must identify them, and 
they become legally binding and must be accomplished as the selected 
alternative is implemented.
    (h) Mitigation measures will be planned, programmed, and budgeted 
by the proponent or, if appropriate, through the appropriate 
installation or mission program, in accordance with applicable Army 
policy and regulation. Implementation of the selected action should be 
conditioned on funding of mitigation, subject to the Antideficiency Act 
(31 U.S.C. 1341).


Sec.  651.27  Mitigation Monitoring and Enforcement.

    (a) Monitoring and enforcement ensure that mitigations are 
effective and are performed as described in NEPA documents. If 
mitigation measures are extensive, the Installation Commander will 
prepare, resource, and implement a Mitigation Monitoring and 
Enforcement Plan (MMEP). If prepared, a MMEP may be filed with the 
proponent's file copy of the EA or EIS, and may be summarized and 
adopted in the FONSI or ROD.
    (b) A MMEP should address the following:
    (1) Effectiveness Monitoring. Plans should identify what mitigation 
measures must be monitored and how the effectiveness of the mitigation 
measures are evaluated. Effectiveness will be determined based on 
specific criteria that may include but are not limited to:
    (i) Effectiveness metrics developed for mitigation results that are 
quantitative, measurable, and replicable.
    (ii) A baseline assessment that identifies the state of 
environmentally sensitive resources prior to disturbance by the action.
    (iii) A control that isolates the effects of the mitigation 
measures from effects originating outside the action.
    (iv) Ability to implement any necessary corrective actions to 
mitigation measures.
    (2) Enforcement Monitoring.
    (i) Contractor performance. The proponent must ensure that 
mitigation measures performed under contract are subject to timely 
inspection and all contract provisions are met and enforced.
    (ii) NEPA Lead agency performance. When there is a Lead and a 
Cooperating agency involved in a proposed action (see 32 CFR 651.7(h) 
and (i)), the Lead agency must ensure that needed tasks are performed. 
Actions enabling enforcement include providing appropriate funding in 
the project budget, and arranging for necessary manpower allocation.
    (iii) NEPA Cooperating agency performance. When a cooperating 
agency performs a mitigation required by NEPA, the lead agency as 
proponent must ensure that the cooperating agency fully understands its 
role in funding and executing the mitigation. The proponent's 
mitigation monitoring and enforcement plan should include monitoring 
cooperating agency mitigation actions.
    (3) Potential change in environmental conditions. The MMEP should 
identify the possibility of a change in environmental conditions or 
project activities identified in the EA or EIS that may require 
adjustment in mitigation measures. Adjustments to mitigation measures 
may be needed when the original conclusions of the extent of 
environmental effects are found to be inaccurate and original 
mitigation measures are too limited or too extensive, or when 
previously undetected environmentally sensitive resources are found to 
be present during implementation of the action.
    (4) Observation Frequency. Identify requirements for the frequency 
of observation especially where the effectiveness of a mitigation 
measure is uncertain, or environmental controversy remains associated 
with the selected action or mitigation measures.

Subpart G--Environmental Effects of Major Army Actions Abroad


Sec.  651.28  Overview.

    This section provides an overview of requirements for addressing 
the environmental effects of Army actions abroad.
    (a) NEPA applies to Army actions within the United States (as 
defined in Sec.  651.1(c)). NEPA does not apply to Army actions abroad 
(outside of the United States). E.O. 12114, Environmental Effects 
Abroad of Major Federal Actions, addresses requirements for 
environmental effects of Army actions abroad.
    (b) E.O. 12114 and 32 CFR part 187, Environmental Effects Abroad of 
Major DoD Actions, provide responsibilities relating to analysis of the 
environmental effects of Army actions abroad and in the global commons. 
Responsible Army components will document the review of potential 
environmental effects of their actions abroad and in the global 
commons. Environmental review will be consistent with diplomatic 
factors (including applicable SOFAs), stationing agreements and final 
governing standards, national security considerations, site-specific 
ARs, and ability to access information.
    (c) The analysis and documentation of potential environmental 
effects of Army actions abroad and in the global commons should, to the 
maximum extent possible, be incorporated into existing decision-making 
processes, planning for military exercises, training plans, and 
military operations. The requirement for documentation is subject to 
exemptions listed in paragraph 2-5 of E.O. 12114.


Sec.  651.29  Use of Categorical Exclusions.

    CXs in Sec.  651.12 of this part are not applicable to 
environmental considerations in locations abroad where NEPA is not 
applicable. They may be used, however, to assist in gauging the level 
of analysis that may be needed under this Subpart.

Appendix A to Part 651--References

    Military publications and forms are accessible from a variety of 
sources through the use of electronic media or paper products. In 
most cases, electronic publications and forms that are associated 
with military organizations can be accessed at various address or 
websites on the internet. Since electronic addresses can frequently 
change, or similar web links can also be modified at several 
locations on the internet, it's advisable to access those sites 
using a search engine that is most accommodative, yet beneficial to 
the user. Additionally, in an effort to facilitate the public right 
to information, certain publications can also be purchased through 
the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). Persons 
interested in obtaining certain types of publications can write to 
the National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, 
Springfield, VA 22161.

Section I--Required Publications

AR 360-1
    The Army Public Affairs Program.

Section II--Related Publications

    A related publication is merely a source of additional 
information. The user does not have to read it to understand this 
part.

Antideficiency Act.
    Public Law 97-258, 96 Stat. 923; as amended (31 U.S.C. 1341)
AR 5-10
    Stationing.
AR 70-1
    Army Acquisition Policy.
AR 200-1

[[Page 70353]]

    Environmental Protection and Enhancement
AR 380-5
    Department of the Army Information Security Program
Defense Acquisition Guidebook
    https://www.dau.mil/tools/dag
DA PAM 70-3
    Army Acquisition Procedures
Department of Defense Directive 5000.01
    The Defense Acquisition System
Department of Defense Instruction 5000.02
    Operation of the Defense Acquisition System
Executive Order 12114
    Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions, 3 CFR, 
1979 comp., p. 356
Executive Order 13007
    Indian Sacred Sites, 3 CFR, 1996 Comp., p. 196
Clean Air Act
    Public Law 88-206; as amended (42 U.S.C. 7401, et seq.)
Clean Water Act of 1977
    Public Law 95-217, 91 Stat. 1566 and Public Law 96-148, Sec. 
1(a)-(c), 93 Stat. 1088 (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.)
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability 
Act of 1980
    As amended (CERCLA, Superfund) (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.)
Endangered Species Act of 1973
    Public Law 93-205, 87 Stat. 884 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.)
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act
    Public Law 85-624, Sec. 2, 72 Stat. 563 and Public Law 89-72, 
Sec. 6(b), 79 Stat. 216. (16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.)
Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
    (16 U.S.C. 703-712; Ch. 128; July 3, 1918; 40 Stat. 755)
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
    Public Law 91-190, 83 Stat. 852 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)
National Historic Preservation Act
    Public Law 89-665, 80 Stat. 915 (54 U.S.C. 300101 et seq.)
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
    Public Law 101-601, 104 Stat. 3048 (25 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.)
Pollution Prevention Act of 1990
    Public Law 101-508, Title VI, Subtitle G, 104 Stat. 13880-321 
(42 U.S.C. 13101 et seq.)
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976
    Public Law 94-580, 90 Stat. 2795 (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.)
Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act of 1899
    33 U.S.C. 407
Sikes Act
    Public Law 86-797, 74 Stat. 1052 (16 U.S.C. 670a et seq.)

    Note. The following CFRs may be found in your legal office or 
law library. Copies may be purchased from the Superintendent of 
Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20401.

36 CFR part 800
    Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508
    Council on Environmental Quality

Section III--Prescribed Forms

    This section contains no entries.

Section IV--Referenced Forms

    This section contains no entries.

Appendix B to Part 651--Glossary

Abbreviations

AAE Army Acquisition Executive
ACAT Acquisition Category
ACOM Army Command
AGR Active Guard and Reserve Duty
APHC U.S. Army Public Health Center
AQCR Air Quality Control Region
AR Army Regulation
ARNG Army National Guard
ARSTAF Army Staff
ASA (AL&T) Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics, 
and Technology)
ASA (FMC) Assistant Secretary of the Army (Financial Management and 
Comptroller)
ASA (IE&E) Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations, Energy 
and Environment)
BGEPA Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act
CARD Cost Analysis Requirements Description
CBTDEV Combat Developer
CEQ Council on Environmental Quality
CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and 
Liability Act
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
CONUS Continental United States
CX Categorical Exclusion
DA Department of the Army
DASA (ESOH) Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, 
Safety, and Occupational Health)
DCS Deputy Chief of Staff
DEIS Draft Environmental Impact Statement
DoD Department of Defense
DOPAA Description of Proposed Action and Alternatives
DOTMLPF-P Doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and 
education, personnel, facilities, and policy
DRU Direct Reporting Unit
DTIC Defense Technical Information Center
EA Environmental Assessment
EIS Environmental Impact Statement
EJ Environmental Justice
E.O. Executive Order
EOD Explosive Ordnance Demolition
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
ESA Endangered Species Act
ESOH Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health
FAA Federal Aviation Administration
FEIS Final Environmental Impact Statement
FONSI Finding of No Significant Impact
FR Federal Register
GC General Counsel
GOCO Government-Owned, Contractor-Operated
GSA General Services Administration
HQDA Headquarters, Department of the Army
ICRMP Integrated Cultural Resources Management Plan
ICT Integrated Concept Team
INRMP Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan
IPMP Integrated Pest Management Plan
ISCP Installation Spill Contingency Plan
ITAM Integrated Training Area Management
MATDEV Materiel Developer
MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act
MILCON Military Construction
MMEP Mitigation Monitoring and Enforcement Plan
MOA Memorandum of Agreement
MOU Memorandum of Understanding
MSC Mission Support Commands
NAGPRA Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
NEPA National Environmental Policy Act
NGB National Guard Bureau
NHPA National Historic Preservation Act
NOA Notice of Availability
NOI Notice of Intent
NRC Nuclear Regulatory Commission
NTIS National Technical Information Service
OASD (PA) Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public 
Affairs)
OCLL Office of the Chief of Legislative Liaison
OCPA Office of the Chief of Public Affairs
OFS Officer Foundation Standards
OGC Office of General Counsel
OPSEC Operations Security
OSD Office of the Secretary of Defense
PAO Public Affairs Officer
PCB Polychlorinated Biphenyls
PESHE Programmatic Environment Safety and Occupational Health 
Evaluation
PEO Program Executive Officer
PM Program/Project/Product Managers
POC Point of Contact
POL Petroleum, Oils, and Lubricants
PPBES Program Planning and Budget Execution System
RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
RDT&E Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation
REC Record of Environmental Consideration
ROD Record of Decision
SA Secretary of the Army
SARA Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act
SDZ Surface Danger Zone
SEP Systems Engineering Plan
SOFA Status of Forces Agreement
SPCCP Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Plan
TAG The Adjutant General
TDP Technical Data Package
TJAG The Judge Advocate General
TRADOC U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command
UAV Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
UGV Unmanned Ground Vehicle
USACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
USAEC U.S. Army Environmental Command
U.S.C. United States Code.

Brenda S. Bowen,
Army Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2019-26336 Filed 12-19-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-03-P