[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 189 (Thursday, October 2, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Page 47734]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-19236]


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COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY


Implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act Guidance

AGENCY: Council on Environmental Quality.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: On September 29, 2025, the Council on Environmental Quality 
(CEQ) issued a memorandum to the heads of Federal departments and 
agencies (agencies) to assist agencies with compliance with the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and with establishing or 
revising agency NEPA implementing procedures. This guidance updates and 
replaces initial guidance issued on February 19, 2025.

DATES: This guidance was issued on September 29, 2025.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jomar Maldonado, Director for NEPA, 
202-395-5750, [email protected]. The guidance is 
available for viewing online at www.nepa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 29, 2025, CEQ issued a 
memorandum entitled Implementation of the National Environmental Policy 
Act to provide guidance to Federal agencies regarding implementation of 
NEPA. This guidance updates and replaces guidance issued on February 
19, 2025, also entitled Implementation of the National Environmental 
Policy Act, which CEQ published at www.nepa.gov. The updated memorandum 
includes an overview of NEPA, including a discussion of recent 
amendments to the statute and recent case law as relevant to agency 
implementation of NEPA. The memorandum also provides guidance for 
agencies to use when establishing or revising agency-specific NEPA 
implementing procedures. As an appendix to the memorandum, CEQ has 
included a template that agencies are encouraged to use as an initial 
framework for establishing or revising their NEPA implementing 
procedures, to the extent consistent with agency authorities and 
applicable law. CEQ developed this template with the assistance of a 
Federal agency working group established pursuant to Executive Order 
14154, Unleashing American Energy (90 FR 8353, Jan. 20, 2025).
    The guidance and the associated template are not mandatory or 
binding on Federal agencies. Rather, they are intended to expedite and 
simplify the permitting process and promote consistency as to NEPA's 
implementation consistent with Section 5 of Executive Order 14154.
    The guidance and template are available at www.nepa.gov.

Katherine R. Scarlett,
Chairman.
[FR Doc. 2025-19236 Filed 10-1-25; 8:45 am]
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