Procedures for Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act and Assessing the Environmental Effects Abroad of EPA Actions

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is amending its procedures for implementing the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). This also includes minor, technical amendments to the Agency's procedures for implementing Executive Order 12114, "Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions." This rule amends EPA's NEPA implementing procedures by: consolidating and standardizing the procedural provisions and requirements of the Agency's environmental review process under NEPA; clarifying the general procedures associated with categorical exclusions, consolidating the categories of actions subject to categorical exclusion, and amending existing and adding new categorical exclusions; consolidating and amending existing and adding new extraordinary circumstances; consolidating and amending the listing of actions that generally require an environmental impact statement; clarifying the procedural requirements for consideration of applicable environmental review laws and executive orders; and incorporating other revisions consistent with the Council on Environmental Quality's regulations (CEQ Regulations).