Search Results for keywords:"NEPA"

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is asking for feedback on three proposed National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETCs) that could be important for energy access and connectivity across certain regions. These include the Tribal Energy Access Corridor, the Southwestern Grid Connector Corridor, and the Lake Erie-Canada Corridor. The DOE is interested in public opinion on the potential environmental, cultural, and socioeconomic impacts of these projects and has scheduled webinars in January 2025 to discuss them. Suggestions will help fine-tune the projects and determine if any environmental review is necessary under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

FEMA, part of the Department of Homeland Security, has announced that they have updated their environmental assessment originally conducted in 2010 for their Grant Programs Directorate (GPD). This update is called a Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Assessment (SPEA) and looks into how FEMA's programs for security and preparedness might impact the environment. FEMA believes, based on this new analysis, that the programs will not have any significant negative effects on the environment. They are asking the public to provide comments about this conclusion before a final decision is made.

The Coast Guard is extending the waiting period for the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) regarding the planned Expansion and Modernization of Base Seattle. Initially, they published a notice on November 15, 2024, marking the start of a 30-day waiting period, but this period is now extended because of the complexity of the project and multiple federal holidays. The earliest date for a final decision on the proposed action is January 10, 2025. The full text of the Final PEIS is available online, and for more information, contact Dean Amundson at the U.S. Coast Guard.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will prepare an environmental document to assess the impact of the Decatur Lateral Project proposed by Rockies Express Pipeline, LLC in Illinois. This project involves building a natural gas pipeline and related facilities to supply gas to the local area. FERC is seeking comments from the public on environmental issues to consider in this document, with comments due by May 12, 2025. An onsite environmental review will take place on May 7, 2025, and any interested parties can attend.

The Department of Transportation has withdrawn a proposed rule that was meant to update its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) procedures. The original proposal, introduced in 2020, aimed to revise existing procedures for considering environmental impacts, but these changes were never finalized. This decision comes following updates to the NEPA statute in the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 and improved management practices in environmental reviews. The department plans to issue any new revisions for public review and comment before finalization.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released the Record of Decision for the Greater Sage-Grouse habitat management in Oregon, stating no new land use planning is needed. After years of planning and environmental reviews, the BLM has addressed all necessary conservation efforts, and the existing plans from 2019 will remain unchanged. The comprehensive review included analyzing environmental impacts, considering a wide range of alternatives, and discussing compensatory mitigation. This decision is final and not open to protest or appeal.

The Office of the Secretary, Interior Department has revised rules for certain environmental actions by the Bureau of Reclamation to ensure clearer interpretations and more efficient reviews. These changes apply to seven categorical exclusions (CEs) related to financial assistance and water-related agreements under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The updates aim to eliminate outdated terms and better define the scope of activities covered by these exclusions. The revisions also respond to public comments and address concerns about project transparency, Tribal resources, and consultation regarding historic preservation.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) plans to adopt categorical exclusions (CEs) from the U.S. Department of Agriculture—Farm Service Agency (USDA-FSA) to streamline environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). These adopted CEs cover various agricultural activities, which HUD intends to use for projects like fence repairs or farm storage facility construction. HUD consulted with USDA-FSA to ensure these CEs are appropriate and will not cause significant environmental harm, barring extraordinary circumstances. The adoption will be effective after regulatory amendments or waivers are issued.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has announced decisions regarding 17 hatchery and genetic management plans for salmon and steelhead in specific river basins in Washington and Idaho. These plans aim to conserve threatened and endangered fish species while allowing harvest opportunities when possible. They ensure that hatchery operations do not hinder the survival and recovery of natural fish populations and adhere to the Endangered Species Act. The plans have undergone public review, and NMFS has selected preferred alternatives for implementation, emphasizing environmental conservation and protection.

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.