On June 20th, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) released an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) in the Federal Register as it considers updating its implementing regulations for the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Over the past four decades, CEQ has issued numerous guidance documents but has amended its regulations substantively only once. Given the length of time since its NEPA implementing regulations were issued, CEQ solicits public comment on potential revisions to update the regulations and ensure a more efficient, timely, and effective NEPA process consistent with the national environmental policy stated in NEPA.
NEPA was enacted in 1970 and states that, “it is the continuing policy of the Federal Government, in cooperation with State and local governments, and other concerned public and private organizations, to use all practicable means and measures, including financial and technical assistance, in a manner calculated to foster and promote the general welfare, to create and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony, and fulfill the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations of Americans.” NEPA also established CEQ as an agency within the Executive Office of the President.
The Request for Comment includes questions on NEPA’s process, the scope of NEPA review, and whether or not any regulations are obsolete or need to be updated.
Comments are due on or before July 20th.
