Search Results for keywords:"environmental impact statement"

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has released new guidance to help federal departments and agencies comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) during emergencies. This guidance outlines alternative procedures for environmental reviews when emergencies require quick action and involve significant effects that would normally need an environmental impact statement. The document includes steps agencies should take during emergencies, including consulting with CEQ and coordinating with other agencies and governments to ensure public safety and resource protection are prioritized while complying with NEPA requirements.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has rescinded its previous notice to create an environmental impact statement for oil and gas leasing decisions in seven states, covering the period from February 2015 to December 2020. This decision aligns with Executive Order 14154 and Secretary's Order 3418, both titled "Unleashing American Energy." The original notice of intent was published in the Federal Register on January 16, 2025. For more details, individuals can contact Janna Simonsen or John Ajak at the BLM.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced the availability of the joint record of decision for the SouthCoast Wind Project, which will be built offshore Massachusetts and Rhode Island. This decision includes approvals from several agencies, like the Department of the Interior, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, about permits and environmental regulations for the wind project. The project will involve installing up to 147 wind turbines and export cables and aims to ensure minimal impact on marine life and habitats. The joints ROD concludes necessary environmental assessments, supporting the construction approval while outlining required mitigation and monitoring efforts.

The Department of the Army is adding to a previous environmental impact statement concerning necessary heat and electrical upgrades at Fort Wainwright in Alaska. The current coal-powered heating and power plant is old and poses safety and reliability issues, and its potential failure could impact mission readiness. The Army is examining several alternatives, including building new power infrastructure or continuing periodic upgrades to the existing system. They plan to release the updated environmental impact statement in 2025 and will invite the public to provide feedback.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has made a final environmental impact statement available to the public, which evaluates response strategies for outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the U.S. poultry industry. Three options are considered: no federal help, federal help without extra biosecurity measures, and federal help with biosecurity incentives, with the last being the preferred choice as it likely causes the least environmental harm. The public can review this document until May 19, 2025, after which a final decision will be made. The chosen strategy aims to quickly control the virus, protect public health, and minimize the impact on the environment and economy.

The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest has decided to withdraw its plan to prepare an environmental impact statement for the Travel Management Project. This decision was made to prioritize the forest's resources and focus on updating their forest plan instead. The announcement originally appeared in the Federal Register in 2007, with further details released in 2009. If someone has questions about this change, they can contact the Forest Supervisor, Shaun McKinney, via email or phone.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) plans to create a supplement to their Environmental Impact Statement for the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station's license renewal. This supplement will review new information and assess the environmental effects of renewing the power station's licenses. The NRC aims to ensure that renewing the licenses doesn't harm the environment more than anticipated. The draft of this supplement will be made available for public comment to gather input before final decisions are made.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), part of the Interior Department, has withdrawn the public review period and virtual public hearings for the proposed Cook Inlet Lease Sale 258. This action, effective immediately, cancels the comment period and hearings originally scheduled for February 9-11, 2021, in response to Executive Order 14008. This order called for a pause on new oil and gas leasing on public lands and waters until a comprehensive review is completed. The withdrawal aims to save administrative costs while the review is underway.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has released a record of decision (ROD) concerning wind energy development in the New York Bight area. The decision is based on an environmental impact study that reviewed potential effects on the environment. BOEM has decided to implement measures to minimize, avoid, or mitigate these impacts as conditions for approving projects proposed by companies leasing the area. These measures are detailed in the ROD, which concludes a larger environmental review process.

The United States Department of Agriculture has decided to withdraw its plan to create an environmental impact statement regarding old-growth forest management across the National Forest System. This means they will not be moving forward with evaluating the potential effects of the proposed changes to how old-growth forests are handled. The decision not to pursue this plan was officially announced by the Forest Service, part of the Department of Agriculture. For more information, individuals can contact Jennifer McRae, the Planning Team Leader.