National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Draft Guidance, Establishing, Applying, and Revising Categorical Exclusions Under the National Environmental Policy Act, 8045-8046 [2010-3531]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 35 / Tuesday, February 23, 2010 / Notices program are not subject to Executive Order 12372. Executive Order 13132 (Federalism). This notice does not contain policies with Federalism implications as defined in Executive Order 13132. Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review). This notice is not a significant regulatory action under Sections 3(f)(3) and 3(f)(4) of Executive Order 12866, as it does not materially alter the budgetary impact of a grant program and does not raise novel policy issues. This notice is not an ‘‘economically significant’’ regulatory action under Section 3(f)(1) of the Executive Order, as it does not have an effect on the economy of $100 million or more in any one year, and it does not have a material adverse effect on the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or communities. 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A live webcast of the Meeting can be viewed at https://www.cpsc.gov/webcast/ index.html. For a recorded message containing the latest agenda information, call (301) 504–7948. CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: Todd A. Stevenson, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814 (301) 504–7923. Dated: February 12, 2010. Todd A. Stevenson, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2010–3323 Filed 2–22–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6355–01–M COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY [FR Doc. 2010–3507 Filed 2–22–10; 8:45 am] National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Draft Guidance, Establishing, Applying, and Revising Categorical Exclusions Under the National Environmental Policy Act BILLING CODE 3510–13–P AGENCY: Dated: February 17, 2010. Marc G. Stanley, Acting Deputy Director. COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS Hearing on the Department of Justice’s Actions Related to the New Black Panther Party Litigation and its Enforcement of Section 11(b) of the Voting Rights Act mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES Correction Notice document 2010–3168 appearing on page 7441 in the issue of Friday, February 19, 2010 was included in error. The document was withdrawn and should not have appeared in the issue. [FR Doc. C1–2010–3168 Filed 2–22–10; 12:00 pm] BILLING CODE 1505–01–D VerDate Nov<24>2008 19:25 Feb 22, 2010 Jkt 220001 Council on Environmental Quality. ACTION: Notice of Availability, Draft Guidance, ‘‘Establishing, Applying, and Revising Categorical Exclusions Under the National Environmental Policy Act.’’ SUMMARY: On February 18, 2010, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) announced four steps to modernize, reinvigorate, and ease the use and increase the transparency of implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Enacted in 1970, NEPA is a fundamental tool used to harmonize our economic, environmental, and social aspirations and is a cornerstone of our Nation’s efforts to protect the environment. NEPA recognizes that many Federal activities affect the environment and mandates that Federal agencies consider PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 8045 the environmental impacts of their proposed actions before acting. Additionally, NEPA emphasizes public involvement in government actions affecting the environment by requiring that the benefits and the risks associated with proposed actions be assessed and publicly disclosed. CEQ, which is charged with implementing NEPA, recognizes that it is a visionary and versatile law that can be used effectively to address new environmental challenges facing our Nation and also to engage the public widely and effectively. Furthermore, CEQ wants to develop more effective and accessible tools for citizen involvement in government decisionmaking. These actions are designed to provide carefully-tailored new assessment and reporting requirements, facilitate agency compliance with NEPA, and enhance the quality of public involvement in governmental decisions relating to the environment. DATES: Comments should be submitted on or before April 9, 2010. ADDRESSES: The NEPA Draft Guidance documents are available at https:// www.nepa.gov. Comments on the NEPA Draft Guidance ‘‘Establishing, Applying, and Revising Categorical Exclusions under the National Environmental Policy Act’’ should be submitted electronically to CE.guidance@ceq.eop.gov, or in writing to The Council on Environmental Quality, Attn: Ted Boling, 722 Jackson Place, NW., Washington, DC 20503. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ted Boling, Senior Counsel, at (202) 395– 5750. Many Federal actions do not have significant effects on the environment. When these actions fall into broad categories of activities, agencies may apply a ‘‘categorical exclusion’’ from further NEPA review. This draft guidance clarifies the rules for categorical exclusions and ensures that there is a concise public record when agencies apply them. While CEQ previously has sought public comments on this matter, this guidance provides additional clarifications, so it will seek additional public comment for 45 days. Draft guidance documents are now available at the Council on Environmental Quality Web site at https:// www.nepa.gov. Public comments are requested on or before April 9, 2010. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\23FEN1.SGM 23FEN1 8046 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 35 / Tuesday, February 23, 2010 / Notices February 18, 2010. Nancy Sutley, Chair, Council on Environmental Quality. [FR Doc. 2010–3531 Filed 2–22–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3125–W0–P COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Draft Guidance, ‘‘Consideration of the Effects of Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions.’’ mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: Council On Environmental Quality. ACTION: Notice of Availability, Draft Guidance, ‘‘Consideration of the Effects of Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions.’’ SUMMARY: On February 18, 2010, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) announced four steps to modernize, reinvigorate, and ease the use and increase the transparency of implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Enacted in 1970, NEPA is a fundamental tool used to harmonize our economic, environmental, and social aspirations and is a cornerstone of our Nation’s efforts to protect the environment. NEPA recognizes that many Federal activities affect the environment and mandates that Federal agencies consider the environmental impacts of their proposed actions before acting. Additionally, NEPA emphasizes public involvement in government actions affecting the environment by requiring that the benefits and the risks associated with proposed actions be assessed and publicly disclosed. CEQ, which is charged with implementing NEPA, recognizes that it is a visionary and versatile law that can be used effectively to address new environmental challenges facing our nation and also to engage the public widely and effectively. Furthermore, CEQ wants to develop more effective and accessible tools for citizen involvement in government decisionmaking. These actions are designed to provide carefully-tailored new assessment and reporting requirements, facilitate agency compliance with NEPA, and enhance the quality of public involvement in governmental decisions relating to the environment. DATES: Comments should be submitted on or before May 24, 2010. ADDRESSES: The NEPA Draft Guidance documents are available at https:// www.nepa.gov. Comments on the NEPA Draft Guidance ‘‘Consideration of the Effects of Climate Change and VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:25 Feb 22, 2010 Jkt 220001 Greenhouse Gas Emissions’’ should be submitted electronically to GCC.guidance@ceq.eop.gov, or in writing to The Council on Environmental Quality, Attn: Ted Boling, 722 Jackson Place, NW., Washington, DC 20503. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ted Boling, Senior Counsel, at (202) 395– 5750. CEQ is issuing draft guidance for public comment on when and how Federal agencies must consider the impacts of proposed Federal actions on global climate change, as well as the expected environmental effects from climate change that may be relevant to the design of the proposed Federal action. CEQ has been asked to provide guidance on this subject informally by Federal agencies and formally by a petition under the Administrative Procedure Act. The draft guidance explains how Federal agencies should analyze the environmental impacts of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change when they describe the environmental impacts of a proposed action under NEPA by (1) providing practical tools for agency reporting, including a presumptive threshold of 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions from the proposed action to trigger consideration of a quantitative analysis, and (2) suggestions to agencies on how to assess the effects of climate change on the proposed action, and, in turn, on the design of agency actions. CEQ will seek public comment on this guidance for 90 days. Draft guidance documents are now available at the Council on Environmental Quality Web site at https://www.nepa.gov. Public comments are requested on or before May 24, 2010. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: February 18, 2010. Nancy Sutley, Chair, Council on Environmental Quality. [FR Doc. 2010–3532 Filed 2–22–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3125–W0–P COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Draft Guidance, ‘‘NEPA Mitigation and Monitoring.’’ AGENCY: Council On Environmental Quality. ACTION: Notice of Availability, Draft Guidance, ‘‘NEPA Mitigation and Monitoring.’’ SUMMARY: On February 18, 2010, the Council on Environmental Quality PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 (CEQ) announced four steps to modernize, reinvigorate, and ease the use and increase the transparency of implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Enacted in 1970, NEPA is a fundamental tool used to harmonize our economic, environmental, and social aspirations and is a cornerstone of our Nation’s efforts to protect the environment. NEPA recognizes that many Federal activities affect the environment and mandates that Federal agencies consider the environmental impacts of their proposed actions before acting. Additionally, NEPA emphasizes public involvement in government actions affecting the environment by requiring that the benefits and the risks associated with proposed actions be assessed and publicly disclosed. CEQ, which is charged with implementing NEPA, recognizes that it is a visionary and versatile law that can be used effectively to address new environmental challenges facing our nation and also to engage the public widely and effectively. Furthermore, CEQ wants to develop more effective and accessible tools for citizen involvement in government decisionmaking. These actions are designed to provide carefully-tailored new assessment and reporting requirements, facilitate agency compliance with NEPA, and enhance the quality of public involvement in governmental decisions relating to the environment. DATES: Comments should be submitted on or before May 24, 2010. ADDRESSES: The NEPA Draft Guidance documents are available at https:// www.nepa.gov. Comments on the NEPA Draft Guidance ‘‘NEPA Mitigation and Monitoring’’ should be submitted electronically to Mitigation.guidance@ceq.eop.gov, or in writing to The Council on Environmental Quality, Attn: Ted Boling, 722 Jackson Place, NW., Washington, DC 20503. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ted Boling, Senior Counsel, at (202) 395– 5750. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Draft Guidance Clarifying (1) the Appropriateness of ‘‘Findings of No Significant Impact’’ and (2) Specifying the Need for Ongoing Monitoring of Environmental Mitigation Commitments: Many Federal actions receive an environmental review, known as an Environmental Assessment. In those instances, NEPA compliance is usually completed with a ‘‘Finding of No Significant Impact’’ (FONSI) on the environment and a more E:\FR\FM\23FEN1.SGM 23FEN1

Agencies

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


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COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY


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

AGENCY: Council on Environmental Quality.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


[[Page 8046]]


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