The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has submitted a request for the renewal of a data collection tool, the Environmental Compliance Questionnaire, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This tool is essential for ensuring that proposed activities comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The questionnaire helps assess environmental impacts before providing federal funding for significant projects. Public comments on this request can be submitted online, allowing for a 30-day period after the notice is published.
Simple Explanation
The government wants to keep using a form that checks if projects are good for the environment before giving them money. But some people think answering the form takes too long and want to know why.