Document ID: EPA-HQ-OECA-2005-0062-0015
Agency: epa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Procedures for Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act and Assessing the Environmental Effects Abroad of EPA Actions
Posted Date: 2007-09-19T04:00Z

[Federal Register: September 19, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 181)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 53651-53672]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19se07-19]                         

[[Page 53651]]

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Part III

Environmental Protection Agency

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40 CFR Part 6

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

[[Page 53652]]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Part 6

[EPA-HQ-OECA-2005-0062; FRL-8467-5]
RIN 2020-AA42

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

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final Rule.

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SUMMARY: 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).

DATES: This final rule is effective on October 19, 2007.

ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID 
No. EPA-HQ-OECA-2005-0062. All documents in the docket are listed on 
the http://www.regulations.gov Web site. Although listed in the index, 

some information is not publicly available, e.g., CBI or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other 
material, such as copyrighted material, is not placed on the Internet 
and will be publicly available only in hard copy form. Publicly 
available docket materials are available either electronically through 
http://www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at the Public Reading Room, 

Room B102, Enforcement and Compliance Docket and Information Center, 
EPA West Building, 1301 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20004. 
The Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the 
Public Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the 
OECA Docket is (202) 566-1752.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Hargrove; NEPA Compliance 
Division; Office of Federal Activities (Mailcode 2252A); Environmental 
Protection Agency; 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460; 
telephone (202) 564-7157; fax number: (202) 564-0072; e-mail address: 
hargrove.robert@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The contents of this preamble are organized 
according to the following outline:

I. General Information
    A. Does This Rule Apply to Me?
    B. Statutory Authority
    C. Background
    D. Exemptions From NEPA for Certain EPA Actions
    E. EPA's Voluntary NEPA Policy and Procedures
    F. EPA's Statement of Procedures on Floodplain Management and 
Wetlands Protection
II. Summary of This Rule
III. Responses to Comments
    A. Comments Relating to the Scope of the Regulations
    B. Comments Relating to Categorical Exclusions (CEs)
    C. Comments Relating to Extraordinary Circumstances (ECs)
    D. Comments Relating to the NEPA Process
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
    A. Executive Order 12866
    B. Paperwork Reduction Act
    C. Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
    D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
    E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism
    F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination with 
Indian Tribal Governments
    G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From 
Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks
    H. Executive Order 13211: Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution and Use
    I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995
    J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions to Address 
Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income 
Populations
    K. Congressional Review Act

I. General Information

A. Does This Rule Apply to Me?

    Those subject to this rule include EPA employees who must comply 
with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-
4347) or Executive Order 12114, and certain grant and permit applicants 
who must submit environmental information documentation to EPA for 
their proposed projects.
    EPA's Procedures for Implementing NEPA. Compliance with these 
regulations is the responsibility of EPA's Responsible Officials. 
Certain procedures in these NEPA regulations require those defined as 
applicants (that is, grant and permit applicants) to provide 
environmental information for EPA's use in its environmental review 
process.
    These regulations consolidate and standardize the environmental 
review process applicable to all EPA proposed actions subject to NEPA. 
These regulations supplement and should be used in conjunction with the 
government-wide CEQ NEPA Regulations (40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508).
    EPA's Procedures for Implementing Executive Order 12114. Compliance 
with these procedures is the responsibility of EPA's Responsible 
Officials. For applicant-proposed actions, applicants may be required 
to provide environmental information for EPA's use in its environmental 
review process. EPA's Executive Order 12114 implementing procedures 
ensure that environmental information is available to the Agency's 
decision-makers and other appropriate Federal agencies and officials 
for proposed actions subject to Executive Order 12114.
    This rule also includes minor, technical amendments to the Agency's 
procedures for implementing Executive Order 12114 (42 U.S.C. 4321, 
note, E.O. 12114, 44 FR 1979, 3 CFR 1979, Comp., p. 356). EPA actions 
typically subject to Executive Order 12114 include major EPA actions 
that affect the environment of a foreign nation or the global commons 
and may include: Major research or demonstration projects, ocean 
dumping activities carried out under section 102 of the Marine 
Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (33 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.), and 
major permitting or licensing of facilities by EPA (such as EPA-issued 
permits for hazardous waste treatment, storage, or disposal facilities 
under section 3005 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 
U.S.C. 6925), National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits 
under section 402 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1342), and 
prevention of significant deterioration approvals under Part C of the 
Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7470 et seq.)).

[[Page 53653]]

    To determine whether a project would be subject to either of these 
procedures, carefully examine the applicability criteria in Sec.  6.101 
and Subpart C of the NEPA implementing procedures, and Sec.  6.401 of 
the Executive Order 12114 implementing procedures in this proposed 
rule. If there are questions regarding the applicability of these 
procedures to a particular entity, consult the person listed in the 
preceding ``FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT'' section of this Preamble.

B. Statutory Authority

    NEPA establishes the federal government's national policy for 
protection of the environment. The CEQ Regulations at 40 CFR parts 1500 
through 1508 establish procedures implementing this national policy. 
The CEQ's Regulations (40 CFR 1505.1) require federal agencies to adopt 
and, as needed, revise their own NEPA implementing procedures to 
supplement the CEQ Regulations and to ensure their decision-making 
processes are consistent with NEPA.
    Executive Order 12114, ``Environmental Effects Abroad of Major 
Federal Actions,'' (see 46 FR 3364) is the authority and basis for 
EPA's policy, criteria, and procedures contained in the portion of 
today's proposed rule entitled ``Assessing the Environmental Effects 
Abroad of EPA Actions.''

C. Background

    The Environmental Protection Agency initially established its NEPA 
regulations as 40 CFR Part 6 (Part 6), Subparts A through H on April 
14, 1975 (see 40 FR 16823). Subpart I was added on January 11, 1977 
(see 42 FR 2450). On November 29, 1978, the CEQ promulgated regulations 
establishing uniform federal procedures for implementing NEPA (see 43 
FR 55978). Section 102 of NEPA and the CEQ Regulations require federal 
agencies to adopt appropriate NEPA procedures to supplement those 
regulations. As a result, EPA amended its NEPA regulations on November 
6, 1979, to make them consistent with the CEQ Regulations (see 44 FR 
64177).
    Under the Agency's 1979 Part 6 amendments, Subparts A through D 
described general NEPA procedures for preparing environmental reviews 
applicable to all EPA NEPA actions and established certain categorical 
exclusions. Subpart A contained an overview of EPA's NEPA regulations, 
including environmental impact statement (EIS) requirements for EPA 
legislative proposals and requirements for environmental information 
documents (EIDs) to be submitted to EPA by applicants, grantees, or 
permitees as required in Subparts E through I. Subpart B described the 
requirements for the content of an EIS prepared pursuant to Subparts E 
through I. Subpart C described the requirements for coordination of 
applicable environmental laws and certain executive orders with the 
environmental review procedures. It provided a brief recitation of the 
provisions of those laws or executive orders and EPA implementing 
procedures. Subpart D described the public information requirements to 
be undertaken in conjunction with the environmental review requirements 
under Subparts E through I. Subparts E through I established specific 
criteria for conducting environmental reviews for particular types of 
actions and categorical exclusions applicable to those actions. 
Specifically, Subpart E established NEPA environmental review 
procedures for the Wastewater Treatment Construction Grants Program of 
the Clean Water Act; Subpart F for the issuance of new source NPDES 
permits; Subpart G for research and development program actions; 
Subpart H for solid waste demonstration projects; and Subpart I for EPA 
actions for construction of special purpose facilities or facility 
renovations. EPA's ``Statement of Procedures on Floodplain Management 
and Wetlands Protection,'' dated January 5, 1979, was included as 
Appendix A to clarify the effective date and to emphasize the 
importance of this Statement of Procedures.
    In 1981, Subpart J, ``Assessing the Environmental Effects Abroad of 
EPA Actions,'' was added as EPA's general policy, criteria, and 
procedures for implementing Executive Order 12114, ``Environmental 
Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions'' (see 46 FR 3364). Executive 
Order 12114 does not impose NEPA compliance requirements on Federal 
agencies, rather it ``furthers the purpose'' of NEPA and identifies the 
documents, including environmental impact statements (EISs) and 
environmental assessments (EAs), to be used when conducting assessments 
under Executive Order 12114.
    In 1982, the Agency revised its Part 6 NEPA regulations by removing 
CEQ from the consultation process on requests to segment wastewater 
treatment facility construction grant projects (see 47 FR 9831). In 
1983, EPA revised the categorical exclusions and the criteria for not 
granting an exclusion, and corrected a factual error on the 
responsibility for preparing a final EA (see 48 FR 1012).
    In 1985, the Agency promulgated procedural amendments and minor 
substantive amendments to its Part 6 NEPA regulations to accommodate 
changes in EPA's regulations for the construction grants program found 
at 40 CFR Part 35 (see 50 FR 26310). The modifications in the 
construction grants program changed the process that EPA grant 
recipients followed in planning and building wastewater treatment 
facilities. The amendments to Subpart E and related sections of the EPA 
NEPA regulations streamlined and clarified the criteria and process for 
an environmental review and for preparing an EIS, including 
partitioning of the review process and the public involvement 
requirements. These amendments also included Office name and technical 
changes to reflect an Agency reorganization.
    In 1986, EPA amended its Part 6 NEPA regulations to clarify and 
streamline procedures for partitioning and re-evaluating environmental 
reviews, making categorical exclusion (CE) determinations, providing 
for public participation, and producing and distributing environmental 
review documents; and to make various technical changes including 
Office name changes due to reorganizations.
    In 1991, EPA amended Subpart G of its Part 6 NEPA regulations by 
adding categorical exclusions and a list of projects that normally 
result in preparation of EAs; revising the criteria used to determine 
whether preparation of an EIS is required; revising the provision 
directing coordination, where feasible, with other EPA program reviews; 
and clarifying the NEPA review process for Office of Research and 
Development actions (see 56 FR 20541). In addition, EPA amended Subpart 
D by eliminating the requirement for public notice of categorical 
exclusion determinations for all EPA programs except the Wastewater 
Treatment Construction Grants Program.
    In 1993, EPA amended its Part 6 NEPA regulations to address the 
requirement that EPA actions conform to any air quality State 
implementation plan, and to clarify that air pollution control 
requirements need to be considered when performing NEPA reviews for 
wastewater treatment works (see 58 FR 63214).

D. Exemptions From NEPA for Certain EPA Actions

    Certain EPA actions are exempt from the procedural requirements of 
NEPA, including the CEQ Regulations. Congress has provided specific 
statutory exemptions for certain EPA actions taken under the Clean 
Water Act (CWA) and all EPA actions taken under the Clean Air Act 
(CAA). Specifically,

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under CWA Section 511(c)(1), EPA is exempt from preparing EISs for all 
actions taken under the CWA except for issuance of NPDES permits under 
CWA Section 402 for ``new sources'' as defined in Section 306, and for 
Federal financial assistance provided for assisting construction of 
publicly owned treatment works under CWA Section 201 (33 U.S.C. 
1371(c)). Under the Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act of 
1974 (15 U.S.C. 793(c)(1)), all actions taken under the CAA are deemed 
not to be major federal actions significantly affecting the 
environment.
    Further, the courts have exempted certain EPA actions from the 
procedural requirements of NEPA through the functional equivalence 
doctrine. Under the functional equivalence doctrine, courts have found 
EPA to be exempt from the procedural requirements of NEPA for certain 
actions under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act 
(FIFRA); the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Toxic 
Substances Control Act (TSCA), the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), and 
the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA). The 
courts reasoned that EPA actions under these statutes are functionally 
equivalent to the analysis required under NEPA because they are 
undertaken with full consideration of environmental impacts and 
opportunities for public involvement. See, e.g., EDF v. EPA, 489 F.2d 
1247 (D.C. Cir. 1973) (FIFRA); State of Alabama v. EPA, 911 F. 2d 499 
(11th Cir. 1990) (RCRA); Warren County v. North Carolina, 528 F. Supp. 
276 (E.D. N.C. 1981) (TSCA); Western Nebraska Resources Council v. U.S. 
EPA, 943 F.2d 867 (8th Cir. 1991) (SDWA); Maryland v. Train, 415 F. 
Supp. 116 (D. Md. 1976) (MPRSA).
    Agency actions exempt from the requirements of NEPA remain exempt 
under this rule. If a question arises regarding the applicability of 
the NEPA requirements to certain proposed actions, the Responsible 
Official should consult with the NEPA Official and the Office of 
General Counsel.

E. EPA's Voluntary NEPA Policy and Procedures

    In 1974, EPA Administrator Russell Train determined that the Agency 
could voluntarily prepare EISs for certain regulatory activities that 
were exempt from NEPA. In 1998, Administrator Carol Browner amended 
this policy to permit the preparation of non-EIS NEPA documents for 
certain EPA regulatory actions. The Agency's current ``Notice of Policy 
and Procedures for Voluntary Preparation of National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) Documents'' (see 63 FR 58045) sets out the policy and 
procedures EPA uses when preparing environmental review documents under 
the Voluntary NEPA Policy. This rule does not make any changes to the 
voluntary NEPA policy and procedures. However, the rule can serve as a 
framework for the preparation of voluntary NEPA documents.

F. EPA's Statement of Procedures on Floodplain Management and Wetlands 
Protection

    On January 5, 1979, EPA issued its Statement of Procedures on 
Floodplain Management and Wetlands Protection to implement Executive 
Orders 11988 (Floodplain Management) and 11990 (Protection of 
Wetlands); the Statement had been included in 40 CFR Part 6 as Appendix 
A. As part of this rulemaking, EPA is removing the Statement as an 
appendix to the rule. The Statement remains in effect, and can be 
viewed on EPA's NEPA Web site, at: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/policies/nepa/floodplain-management-wetlands-statement-pg.pdf
.

II. Summary of This Rule

    On December 19, 2006, EPA published a Federal Register notice 
seeking comment on a proposed rule that would amend its regulations for 
implementing the NEPA and EO 12114.
    The Agency is amending its procedures for implementing the 
requirements of NEPA. The rule amends EPA's NEPA implementing 
procedures by: (1) Consolidating and standardizing the procedural 
provisions and requirements of the Agency's environmental review 
process under NEPA; (2) clarifying the general procedures associated 
with categorical exclusions, consolidating the categories of actions 
subject to categorical exclusion, amending existing and adding new 
categorical exclusions, and consolidating and amending existing and 
adding new extraordinary circumstances; (3) consolidating and amending 
the listing of actions that generally require an environmental impact 
statement; (4) clarifying the procedural requirements for consideration 
of applicable environmental review laws and executive orders; and (5) 
incorporating other proposed revisions consistent with CEQ Regulations. 
These regulations supplement and are to be used in conjunction with the 
CEQ Regulations.
    40 CFR Part 6 also includes EPA's procedures, ``Assessing the 
Environmental Effects Abroad of EPA Actions,'' that implement Executive 
Order 12114, ``Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions'' 
(see 46 FR 3364). The rule includes minor, technical amendments to 
EPA's procedures for implementing the Order. These procedures further 
the purpose of NEPA and provide that EPA may be guided by the CEQ 
Regulations and EPA's NEPA implementing regulations to the extent they 
are applicable. Therefore, when EPA conducts an environmental 
assessment pursuant to its Executive Order 12114 procedures, the Agency 
generally follows its NEPA procedures (unless the assessment process is 
addressed in other EPA programs). EPA's Executive Order 12114 
implementing procedures ensure that environmental information is 
available to the Agency's decision-makers and other appropriate Federal 
agencies and officials for actions subject to Executive Order 12114.
    After considering comments made on the December 19, 2006 proposed 
rule, EPA is finalizing the rule substantially as proposed, with some 
minor modifications. Two changes in the rule were made in response to 
public comment. One change was to clarify that only major Federal 
actions require the preparation of an EIS (this change can be found at 
Sec.  6.207(a) of the rule). Another clarified the role of cooperating 
agencies in the preparation of EPA NEPA documents (found at Sec.  
6.202(a)).
    Other changes were made by EPA to clarify the rule's applicability, 
clarify the CE for on site replacement systems, and improve the overall 
flow of the regulation. These changes can be found at Sec. Sec.  
6.101(a), 6.101(b), 6.203(b), 6.204(a)(1)(iii) and 6.210. In Sec.  
6.101(a), the specific reference to the STAG account was eliminated to 
avoid confusion about the need for NEPA compliance for all STAG account 
activities. In this regard, the text was revised to indicate that the 
rule applies to certain grants awarded to projects authorized through 
the Agency's annual Appropriation Acts, which includes special grants 
for municipal wastewater treatment and water supply projects, projects 
funded through the US-Mexican Border program, and projects funded 
through the Indian Environmental General Assistance Program. The other 
change regarding the rule's applicability was to move Sec.  6.101(f) to 
Sec.  6.101(b), to improve the flow of the section, and to clearly 
state that this rule does not apply to actions that are statutorily 
exempt from NEPA. The paragraph at Sec.  6.203(b) was separated into 
two paragraphs: one for the standard procedure, and one for deviations 
from this procedure under

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the appropriate circumstances. This also demonstrates that even under 
an abbreviated comment period, there is still a need to circulate the 
FONSI/EA for public review. The additional language is meant to improve 
the overall flow of the section. Additionally, the text of Sec.  
6.204(a)(1)(iii) has been clarified. Lastly, Sec.  6.210 has been 
restructured to clarify that consultation with CEQ must occur prior to 
the approval of any alternate arrangements for emergency circumstances.

III. Responses to Comments

    Comments received expressed general support for the revisions to 
the rule; however, some comments raised concerns regarding specific 
aspects of the rule. The comments fell into the following four areas: 
the scope of the rule; categorical exclusions; extraordinary 
circumstances; and the NEPA process. EPA's responses to the comments 
have been grouped into these four areas.

A. Comments Relating to the Scope of the Regulations

    Comment: One commenter asked that the EPA not weaken the Clean 
Water Act.
    EPA's Response: EPA appreciates the commenter's concern. The 
purpose of this rule, however, is to revise and consolidate EPA's NEPA 
implementing procedures. These regulations are strictly procedural; 
they set out the procedures EPA follows to comply with NEPA. They have 
no effect on EPA's authorities under the Clean Water Act, nor do they 
weaken EPA's implementation of the Clean Water Act.
    Comment: A commenter asked that applicants be specifically 
referenced in various sections of the rule because of their integral 
part in the process.
    EPA's Response: EPA agrees that applicants have an integral role in 
the NEPA environmental review process. EPA believes, however, that it 
is unnecessary to include additional specific references to applicants. 
As the commenter acknowledged, the proposed regulations already 
specifically include applicants. For example, Sec.  6.103(b)(3) 
requires the Responsible Official to ``ensure to the extent 
practicable, early and continued involvement of interested federal 
agencies, state and local governments, federally-recognized Indian 
tribes, and affected applicants in the environmental review process.'' 
(emphasis added) Applicants also are specifically identified in Subpart 
C ``Requirements for Environmental Information Documents and Third-
Party Agreements.'' EPA believes that inclusion of applicants in the 
broad definition of the public (see Sec.  6.203(a)(2)), as well as the 
identification of applicants in specific sections and subsections of 
the proposed rule, provides applicants with sufficient and appropriate 
participation in the environmental review process.
    Comment: Another commenter asked that EPA define the term ``major 
Federal action'' and clarify that only major federal actions trigger 
the requirement to prepare an environmental impact statement.
    EPA's Response: EPA agrees that the proposed rule may have been 
unclear because it used the term ``major action'' instead of ``major 
federal action.'' Therefore, in response to this comment, EPA modified 
Sec.  6.207(a) of the rule to clarify that an EIS is required only for 
its major federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the 
human environment. In regard to defining the term ``major federal 
action,'' EPA does not agree that the term should be defined in EPA's 
regulations. The CEQ Regulations, which EPA is adopting through this 
rule, define the term ``major federal action.'' (See 40 CFR 1508.18.) 
Since EPA is adopting the CEQ Regulations, it is not necessary for 
EPA's regulations to define the term.
    Comment: A tribal commenter asserted that the rule is inconsistent 
with EPA's trust obligation to protect Indian country because the rule 
may have negative impacts on the Tribe's efforts to protect water 
quality. In particular, the commenter claims that the rule 
``compromises the Tribe's ability to certify'' that certain discharges 
will meet tribal water quality standards.
    EPA's Response: EPA recognizes the federal government's trust 
responsibility to federally-recognized Indian tribes that arises from 
Indian treaties, statutes, executive orders, and the historical 
relations between the United States and Indian tribes. This rule 
complies with NEPA and other applicable federal statutes and 
regulations; therefore, it meets the federal trust responsibility and 
does not negate or diminish that responsibility.
    The commenter's assertion regarding the rule compromising the 
Tribe's ability to certify that certain discharges will meet tribal 
water quality standards and to protect water quality mischaracterizes 
the effect of the rule. The rule does not alter or limit any authority 
or ability the Tribe has under Tribal law, federal law, or any 
agreement to protect water quality. Moreover, in this case, the Tribe's 
approval for treatment in the same manner as a state for the Clean 
Water Act Water Quality Standards and Certification programs and 
federal approval of the Tribe's water quality standards enhances the 
Tribe's ability to protect its waters. Under Section 401 of the Clean 
Water Act, no federal permit can be issued to approve any activity 
until the Tribe certifies that any discharge under the permit will 
comply with applicable tribal water quality standards. Also, EPA 
regulations require that any permit for a discharge upstream from the 
Tribe's reservation must include conditions that ensure compliance with 
applicable downstream water quality standards.

B. Comments Relating to Categorical Exclusions (CEs)

    Comment: Some commenters expressed concern about the new CE that is 
established at Sec.  6.204(a)(1)(iv) for the reissuance of new source 
NPDES permits because the commenters believe it would eliminate the 
need for EPA to comply with NEPA for NPDES permits.
    EPA's Response: It appears that the commenters mistakenly believe 
that NEPA compliance is required for all NPDES permits. In point of 
fact, pursuant to section 511(c) of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 
1371(c), NEPA compliance is required only for NPDES permits for the 
discharge of any pollutant by a ``new source,'' which is defined in the 
Clean Water Act as a source that is subject to promulgated new source 
performance standards (see, 33 U.S.C. 1316(a)(2)). Thus, NPDES permits 
for sources other than ``new sources'' are not subject to NEPA. It 
should also be noted that NEPA applies only to federal actions. The 
issuance of NPDES permits by an EPA-authorized state is a state, not 
federal, action and is, thus, not subject to NEPA. Currently, most 
states are authorized and, thus, the bulk of the NPDES permits issued 
in the United States are not subject to NEPA and the new CE has no 
effect on those actions. Those state permit actions, however, will 
continue to be subject to the environmental and public review 
procedures established for those state programs.
    EPA does not agree that the use of a CE eliminates the need for EPA 
to comply with NEPA. A CE, as defined by the CEQ Regulations, is a 
``category of actions which do not individually or cumulatively have a 
significant effect on the human environment and which have been found 
to have no such effect in procedures adopted by a Federal agency in 
implementation of these regulations and for which, therefore, neither 
an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement is 
required.'' 40 CFR 1508.4. Accordingly, the establishment and proper 
use of a CE achieves NEPA

[[Page 53656]]

compliance. The rule requires that the Responsible Official determine 
that the proposed action first fits within the category of actions 
described by the CE, and then determines that the proposed action does 
not involve any extraordinary circumstances. Sec.  6.204(a). Further, 
the decision that an action is eligible to be excluded from further 
NEPA review based on this CE is required to be documented in writing, 
the documentation must include an explanation of why no extraordinary 
circumstances apply to the action, and the documentation must be made 
available to the public on request. Sec.  6.204(a)(1).
    Finally, not all NPDES new source permits would qualify for this 
CE. First, the permit must be a re-issuance, not a first-time permit. 
First-time NPDES new source permits issued by EPA are reviewed and the 
environmental effects are considered in either an EA or EIS. Second, 
the Responsible Official must determine that the conclusions of the 
NEPA document for the original permit are still valid. Third, the 
Responsible Official must determine that the re-issuance of the permit 
will not result in degradation of the receiving waters. Lastly, the 
permit conditions in the re-issued permit must be the same as those in 
the original permit or more environmentally protective. Based on EPA's 
experience, EPA believes that the re-issuance of permits that meet all 
of these conditions will not have a significant impact on the quality 
of the human environment.
    Comment: One commenter expressed the opinion that expanding the 
list of CEs reduces public participation in the NEPA process.
    EPA Response: EPA acknowledges that the use of a CE may reduce 
opportunities for public participation on that specific action. 
However, the public has the opportunity to comment on new CEs when they 
are developed. This provides a better use of agency resources for the 
public benefit than repeatedly focusing resources on environmentally 
insignificant actions. Moreover, other aspects of the approval of 
specific actions may provide an opportunity for public input 
independent from the NEPA process.
    Comment: One commenter expressed concern that relying on past NEPA 
documents risks compounding errors or oversights in prior environmental 
review.
    EPA Response: EPA's experience with relying on past NEPA documents 
is that when the action in question is a continuation and the 
conclusions of the earlier NEPA document regarding the lack of 
significant impacts have been reviewed and determined to still be 
valid, the continuation of that action will not cause significant 
impacts. The only CE that requires a re-evaluation of a past NEPA 
document and decision is the new CE that is established at 40 CFR 
6.204(a)(1)(iv) for the reissuance of new source NPDES permits. As 
noted in the Supporting Statement for this rule, EPA's experience with 
such actions is that where the original NEPA document projected that 
the action would not cause significant environmental effects, it was 
determined that the continuation of the discharge would not degrade the 
receiving waters and that the permit conditions do not change or are 
more environmentally protective, the reissuance of the respective new 
source NPDES permit does not result in significant impacts. It should 
also be noted that the use of this CE will require additional 
evaluation beyond an evaluation of the action for consistency with a 
prior NEPA decision. Accordingly, EPA believes that the review process 
that must be employed before approval of this CE is adequate to ensure 
that past errors/oversights (assuming there are any) will not be 
repeated.
    Comment: One commenter requested clarification about whether NPDES 
construction general permits are subject to NEPA and recommended that 
EPA add the following CE to the regulations: ``Residential construction 
undertaken in accordance with the environmental protection requirements 
of a NPDES construction general permit.'' The commenter also stated 
that EPA's economic analysis of the impact of the rule on small 
businesses, pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), did not 
include consideration of the potential number of affected small 
businesses that would require permit coverage under the construction 
general permit.
    EPA Response: EPA believes that there is no need to add the 
recommended CE into the rule because NPDES construction general permits 
are not new source permits. Under section 511(c) of the Clean Water 
Act, 33 U.S.C. 1371(c), NEPA compliance is required only for NPDES 
permits for the discharge of any pollutant by a ``new source,'' which 
is defined in the Clean Water Act as a source that is subject to 
promulgated new source performance standards (see, 33 U.S.C. 
1316(a)(2)). Since there are no new source performance standards for 
construction discharges, NEPA compliance is not required for these 
permit actions.
    As to the comment on the RFA economic analysis, as noted above, 
construction general permits are not new source NPDES permits and, 
therefore, are not subject to EPA NEPA regulations. Therefore, there is 
no need to include small businesses that apply for such permits as part 
of the regulated public subject to this rule.
    Comment: One commenter questioned why the revised rule did not 
propose CEs for EPA actions under the Resource Conservation and 
Recovery Act, Superfund, and the Clean Air Act.
    EPA Response: EPA actions under the Clean Air Act are statutorily 
exempt from NEPA. See, 15 U.S.C. 793(c)(1). Additionally, the decision-
making processes for EPA actions under the Resource Conservation and 
Recovery Act and Superfund are considered to be the functional 
equivalent of NEPA--see Section I.D above. Accordingly, CEs are 
unnecessary for EPA actions under these programs.
    Comment: A commenter expressed the opinion that the CE process 
should allow for project-specific flexibility.
    EPA Response: EPA agrees with this comment and believes that the CE 
process in the rule allows for the most flexibility possible.
    Comment: Several commenters expressed the opinion that the CEs 
established in the rule should include activities that create temporary 
disturbances with minimal impacts and whose impacts are already 
relatively well-known and for which mitigation measures are well-
established.
    EPA Response: EPA appreciates this comment, and believes that the 
CEs established in the rule meet these general criteria for the actions 
covered. However, EPA believes that establishing CEs for the activities 
described in the comment would be too broad and too subjective; EPA 
does not have sufficient historical support for such broad CEs for all 
of its programs. Further, it is unlikely that such CEs could be 
approved without some level of environmental review on the individual 
projects, which would defeat the intent of establishing CEs in the 
first place.

C. Comments Relating to Extraordinary Circumstances (ECs)

    Comment: One commenter objected to the broad nature of the 
extraordinary circumstances, and the similarity between the 
extraordinary circumstances, which, if present, would prohibit the use 
of a CE, and the list of criteria that normally require the preparation 
of an EIS.
    EPA's Response: EPA believes that the extraordinary circumstances, 
which require determinations regarding the proximity of environmental/
natural features in the project area, and/or the application of 
professional judgment

[[Page 53657]]

about the severity of an action's potential environmental effects are 
not too broad. Moreover, as required by the CEQ Regulations, when 
establishing a CE, agencies must determine whether the actions in 
question result in significant effects on the quality of the human 
environment either individually or cumulatively. The CEQ regulations 
also require that each agency's NEPA procedures include circumstances 
in which ``a normally excluded action may have a significant 
environmental effect.'' 40 CFR 1508.4. Accordingly, EPA believes that 
it is essential that these two lists parallel each other.
    Comment: Several commenters believe that the Agency will not have 
enough information to make an informed decision regarding the 
applicability of extraordinary circumstances without input from the 
public.
    EPA Response: EPA appreciates this concern, and has included an 
extraordinary circumstance that requires the evaluation of public 
controversy about an action's potential environmental effects--40 CFR 
6.204(b)(8). Of the remaining extraordinary circumstances, many relate 
to the presence of environmental/natural features (endangered species, 
historic properties, and farmland) in the project area. The rest 
require the application of routine professional judgment in making 
preliminary determinations about the potential severity of the action's 
environmental effects. EPA does not believe that public input is needed 
to make these routine determinations.
    Comment: One commenter expressed concern about the extraordinary 
circumstance in Sec.  6.204(b)(7), which prohibits the use of a CE if 
the action will likely have a significant effect on land use patterns 
or be inconsistent with an approved land use plan because the commenter 
believes the criterion has little to do with NEPA, and is outside of 
EPA's jurisdiction.
    EPA Response: EPA disagrees with this comment because federal 
actions that significantly alter land use patterns or are inconsistent 
with approved land use plans can result in significant environmental 
effects. Moreover, this criterion is consistent with CEQ Regulations. 
See 40 CFR 1502.16.
    Comment: One commenter expressed concern about the extraordinary 
circumstance in Sec.  6.204(b)(8), which prohibits the use of a CE if 
the action is expected to cause significant public controversy about a 
potential environmental impact because the commenter believes public 
controversy alone (i.e., in the absence of an environmental impact) 
should not prohibit the use of a CE.
    EPA Response: EPA agrees that public controversy alone should not 
prohibit the use of a CE. As written, this extraordinary circumstance 
is limited to significant public controversy about a potential 
environmental effect. EPA believes it is appropriate to prohibit the 
use of a CE if there is significant public controversy regarding a 
potential environmental impact. Moreover, this criterion is consistent 
with CEQ Regulations at 40 CFR 1508.27(b)(4), which state that in 
determining whether an action is significant, the agency is to consider 
`` the degree to which the effects on the quality of the human 
environment are likely to be highly controversial.''
    Comment: One commenter expressed concern about the extraordinary 
circumstance in Sec.  6.204(b)(10), which prohibits the use of a CE if 
the action may conflict with federal, state, or local government, or 
federally-recognized Indian tribe environmental, resource protection, 
or land-use laws or regulations because the commenter believes that the 
criteria have little to do with NEPA, and are outside of EPA's 
jurisdiction.
    EPA Response: EPA disagrees with this comment because federal 
actions that are inconsistent with environmental, resource protection, 
or land-use laws or regulations, can, regardless of the source of these 
requirements, result in significant environmental effects. Therefore, 
it is appropriate to prohibit the use of a CE in such cases. Moreover, 
this criterion is consistent with CEQ Regulations.

D. Comments Relating to the NEPA Process

    Comment: One commenter suggested that the proposed rule be revised 
to provide for public hearings if an interest is expressed.
    EPA Response: EPA appreciates the comment and agrees that public 
participation in the NEPA process is important, but does not agree that 
the rule should require public hearings. The proposed rule requires the 
Responsible Official to ``make diligent efforts to involve the public * 
* * in the preparation of [environmental assessments] and 
[environmental impact statements] consistent with 40 CFR 1501.4 and 
1506.6 and applicable EPA public participation regulations.'' Section 
6.203(a)(2). The Responsible Official also is required to ``use 
appropriate communication procedures to ensure meaningful public 
participation throughout the NEPA process.'' Section 6.203(a)(5). 
Further, in preparing in EIS, the Responsible Official may hold one or 
more scoping meetings, and public meetings or hearings on the draft 
EIS. Section 6.203(c)(3)(iii) and (iv). Thus, EPA does not believe that 
the rule in any way reduces opportunities for public participation in 
the environmental review process. Rather, it provides the Responsible 
Official the flexibility to use the most appropriate public 
participation process considering both the unique circumstances of the 
project and any applicable EPA public participation requirements. This 
approach is consistent with CEQ Regulations, which require the agency 
to ``make diligent efforts to involve the public in preparing and 
implementing their NEPA procedures,'' 40 CFR 1506.6(a), but do not 
prescribe how that public participation is to be carried out.
    Comment: A commenter expressed support for the Emergency 
Circumstance provision in the rule, but urged EPA to expand the 
authority of the Responsible Official.
    EPA Response: EPA appreciates the comment, but does not agree that 
the Responsible Official should be given more authority because the 
rule gives the responsible Official, in consultation with the NEPA 
Official and CEQ, the authority necessary to properly address NEPA 
compliance for emergency situations. The authority EPA is providing to 
the Responsible Official is consistent with CEQ Regulations, which 
require EPA to consult with CEQ about alternative arrangements for 
emergency circumstances. See 40 CFR 1506.11.
    Comment: A commenter asked EPA to set page and time limits for NEPA 
documents and processes, respectively.
    EPA Response: While EPA appreciates the comment, we believe that it 
is not necessary or appropriate for this rule to set time or page 
limits. CEQ Regulations provide general guidelines for time and page 
limits, but the nature of the specific environmental issues evaluated 
in NEPA documents appropriately affects their length and preparation 
time. Generally, the depth of analysis should correlate to the severity 
and probability of a proposed action's potential environmental effects. 
Since the purpose of a NEPA environmental review is to thoroughly and 
appropriately analyze the environmental impacts of a federal action, it 
would be counter-productive to establish mandatory time or page limits.
    Comment: A commenter asked that NEPA review be limited to 
economically and technically feasible alternatives.

[[Page 53658]]

    EPA Response: EPA does not agree that the NEPA review should be 
limited to economically and technically feasible alternatives. While 
these are two important factors, they are not the only ones to be 
considered in establishing the range of reasonable alternatives for 
NEPA analyses. Indeed, not all economically and technically feasible 
alternatives that meet the purpose and need are reasonable. Other 
factors (e.g., environmental soundness, compliance with statutory and 
regulatory requirements, and public concern) must also be considered 
when determining whether alternatives are reasonable under NEPA.
    Comment: One commenter suggested that the rule clarify the meaning 
of cumulative impacts that are examined in an EIS.
    EPA Response: EPA appreciates the comment, but does not believe 
that clarification of the meaning of cumulative impacts is necessary. 
The reference to cumulative impacts in the rule is consistent with 
accepted NEPA practice, as well as the definition of cumulative impacts 
in Sec.  1508.7 of CEQ Regulations, which EPA is adopting through this 
rulemaking (see Sec.  6.100(b)). Moreover, both CEQ and EPA have issued 
considerable guidance on the definition of cumulative impacts and 
techniques for assessing them. Accordingly, EPA believes that it is not 
necessary to expand the definition of cumulative impacts in this rule.
    Comment: One commenter expressed concern because the proposed rule 
appeared to increase the authorities of cooperating agencies to require 
their approval in the preparation of EPA NEPA documents prior to 
issuance.
    EPA Response: EPA agrees that the proposed rule implied that 
cooperating agencies would always assume a greater role in preparing 
EPA NEPA documents than is envisioned by EPA or the CEQ Regulations (40 
CFR 1501.6). As acknowledged by those regulations, and demonstrated by 
NEPA practice, cooperating agencies may jointly prepare the NEPA 
document, or may focus their involvement to those specific issues on 
which they have jurisdiction or expertise. Accordingly, the rule, at 40 
CFR 6.202(a) has been revised to clarify the role of cooperating 
agencies in the development of EPA NEPA documents.
    Comment: One commenter suggested that EPA use the phrase 
``significant adverse effect'' as the threshold for requiring an EIS.
    EPA Response: EPA does not agree that the threshold for requiring 
an EIS should be limited to ``significant adverse effects.'' 
Restricting the threshold of significant impacts (that would require 
the preparation of an EIS) to only adverse effects would result in 
limiting analyses, which could result in overlooking and/or 
disregarding effects where there is controversy over the ``beneficial'' 
or ``adverse'' nature of the environmental consequence. This approach 
is consistent with 40 CFR 1508.27(b)(1).

IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

A. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review

    Under Executive Order (EO) 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), 
this action is a ``significant regulatory action.'' Accordingly, EPA 
submitted this action to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for 
review under EO 12866 and changes that were made in response to OMB 
recommendations have been documented in the docket for this action.
    In addition, EPA prepared an analysis of the costs and benefits 
associated with this action. A copy of the analysis is available in the 
docket for this action, and the analysis is briefly summarized here. 
The total annual public reporting and recordkeeping burden for this 
collection of information is estimated at 48,147 hours and $3,823,740 
for contractor hours and costs, direct labor hours and costs, and O&M 
costs. The hour and cost estimates reflect the annual preparation of 
documentation for an anticipated 312 applicant-proposed projects that 
may be documented with a CE, or an EA/FONSI, or an EIS/ROD.

B. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the 
information collection requirements contained in this rule under the 
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. and 
has assigned OMB control number 2020-0033.
    EPA collects information from certain applicants as part of the 
process of complying with either NEPA or Executive Order 12114. EPA's 
Executive Order 12114 procedures further the purpose of NEPA and 
provide that EPA may be guided by NEPA procedures to the extent they 
are applicable. Therefore, when EPA conducts an environmental 
assessment pursuant to its Executive Order 12114 procedures, the Agency 
generally follows its NEPA procedures. For this ICR, applicant-proposed 
projects subject to either NEPA or Executive Order 12114 (and that are 
not addressed in other EPA programs' ICRs), are addressed through the 
NEPA assessment process. Those subject to the rule include EPA 
employees who must comply with NEPA and certain grant and permit 
applicants who must submit environmental information to EPA for their 
proposed projects.
    The NEPA review for a project may result in a categorical exclusion 
(CE), or an EA documented with a finding of no significant impact (EA/
FONSI), or an EIS documented with a record of decision (EIS/ROD). (EPA 
assumes a project may be documented with a CE only for grantee-proposed 
projects. EPA does not anticipate that an initial new source NPDES 
permit application would be documented with a CE.) For any specific 
project, only one of these levels of documentation is generally 
prepared. Applicants must submit an environmental information document 
(EID) to EPA as part of the environmental review process, unless the 
applicant submits a draft EA or a draft EIS and supporting documents. 
Applicants may prepare and submit the information directly, or may 
enter a third-party contract agreement with EPA for preparation of an 
EA or EIS and supporting documentation. For purposes of determining the 
maximum costs to applicants for this ICR, EPA assumed that grant and 
permit applicants would expend time and contractor costs to submit: (1) 
Information to support application of a CE with environmental 
information prepared directly by the applicant's contractor; or (2) a 
draft EA and supporting documents prepared directly by the applicant's 
contractor; or (3) a draft and final EIS and supporting documents 
prepared by the applicant's contractor under a third-party contract 
agreement with EPA. Based on EPA's experience, EPA anticipates there 
will be approximately 300 grantee projects annually with about 60% of 
these projects documented with a CE, and about 40% with an EA/FONSI. In 
addition, EPA estimates that one project (less than one percent of the 
total annual grantee projects) will have an EIS/ROD completed during 
the 3-year period of this ICR. For permit applicants, EPA assumes there 
will be approximately 12 projects annually with about 11 of the 
projects documented with an EA/FONSI, and one project will have an EIS/
ROD completed. None will be documented with a CE. EPA estimated the 
one-time costs for applicants to prepare the environmental 
documentation by including contractor hours and costs, direct labor 
hours and costs, and O&M for documentation submitted to EPA to support 
a CE determination, or an EA/FONSI, or an

[[Page 53659]]

EIS/ROD. For a grantee, EPA estimates an applicant's one-time costs for 
submitting environmental information will be: 45 hours and $3,292 for 
CE documentation, or 260 hours and $18,340 for EA/FONSI documentation, 
or 2,840 hours and $324,480 for EIS/ROD documentation. For a permit 
applicant, EPA estimates an applicant's one-time costs for submitting 
environmental information will be: 460 hours and $53,940 for EA/FONSI 
documentation, or 2,840 hours and $328,880 for EIS/ROD documentation. 
These figures may vary depending on the complexity of issues associated 
with the project and the availability of relevant information, 
particularly for EISs. EPA believes the calculations for this ICR are 
representative of most projects.
    For purposes of this ICR, the total annual public reporting and 
recordkeeping burden for this collection of information is estimated at 
48,147 hours and $3,823,740 for contractor hours and costs, direct 
labor hours and costs, and O&M costs. This burden reflects the annual 
submission of documentation for an anticipated 312 applicant-proposed 
projects that may be documented with a CE, or an EA/FONSI, or an EIS/
ROD. Over the 3-year period of this ICR, EPA anticipates 937 applicant-
proposed projects with a 3-year total burden estimate of 144,440 hours 
and $11,471,220. Burden means the total time, effort, or financial 
resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or 
disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This 
includes the time needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, 
install, and utilize technology and systems for the purposes of 
collecting, validating, and verifying information, processing and 
maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; 
adjust the existing ways to comply with any previously applicable 
instructions and requirements; train personnel to be able to respond to 
a collection of information; search data sources; complete and review 
the collection of information; and transmit or otherwise disclose the 
information.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond, to a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's 
regulations in 40 CFR are listed in 40 CFR Part 9. In addition, EPA is 
amending the table in 40 CFR Part 9 of currently approved OMB control 
numbers for various regulations to list the regulatory citations for 
the information requirements contained in this final rule.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) generally requires an agency 
to prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis of any rule subject to 
notice and comment rulemaking requirements under the Administrative 
Procedure Act or any other statute unless the agency certifies that the 
rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities. Small entities include small businesses, 
small organizations, and small governmental jurisdictions.
    For purposes of assessing the impacts of today's proposed rule on 
small entities, small entity is defined as: (1) A small business as 
defined by the Small Business Administration's (SBA) regulations at 13 
CFR 121.201; (2) a small governmental jurisdiction that is a government 
of a city, county, town, school district or special district with a 
population of less than 50,000; and (3) a small organization that is 
any not-for-profit enterprise which is independently owned and operated 
and is not dominant in its field.
    After considering the economic impacts of today's final rule on 
small entities, I certify that this action will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. In 
determining whether a rule has a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities, the impact of concern is any 
significant adverse economic impact on small entities, since the 
primary purpose of the regulatory flexibility analyses is to identify 
and address regulatory alternatives ``which minimize any significant 
economic impact of the rule on small entities.'' 5 U.S.C. 603 and 604. 
Thus, an agency may certify that a rule will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities if the rule 
relieves regulatory burden, or otherwise has a positive economic effect 
on all of the small entities subject to the rule.
    The environmental information submitted by an applicant under the 
rule is one-time only for EPA actions subject to NEPA based on 
applicant proposals; i.e., actions proposed by grantees seeking funding 
assistance from EPA or for an NPDES permit application initiated by the 
permit applicant. In either case, EPA assumes the action will directly 
benefit the applicant (such as a grantee seeking STAG funding for 
renovation of a community drinking water system, or a permit applicant 
seeking an NPDES permit from EPA to further the applicant's business 
interests). Nonetheless, if the applicant cannot afford to provide the 
required environmental information to EPA, then EPA would undertake the 
environmental review without input from the applicant. (Applicants 
would normally be requested to demonstrate financial hardship, 
including inability to provide the requested environmental 
information.) Grantees may be grant-eligible for certain costs 
associated with providing environmental information to EPA; permit 
applicants are not eligible for EPA financial assistance. Further, EPA 
has attempted to reduce the cost on all entities, including small 
entities, through the following provisions of the rule: Section 6.300 
provides that an EID is not required when the action is categorically 
excluded, or the applicant will prepare a draft EA and supporting 
documents. The Responsible Official may prepare the NEPA documents 
without assistance from the applicant. Section 6.302 provides that the 
Responsible Official may prepare generic guidance for categories of 
actions involving a large number of applicants; and must ensure early 
involvement of applicants, consult with the applicant and provide 
guidance describing the scope and level of environmental information 
required, and provide guidance on a project-by-project basis to any 
applicant seeking assistance. This Section also provides that the 
Responsible Official must consider the extent to which the applicant is 
capable of providing the required information, must not require the 
applicant to gather data or perform analyses that unnecessarily 
duplicate either existing data or the results of existing analyses 
available to EPA, and must limit the request for environmental 
information to that necessary for the environmental review. Section 
6.303 provides that an applicant may enter into a third-party agreement 
with EPA. For grantees, third-party agreement contractor costs may be 
grant-eligible. Permit applicants are not eligible for EPA financial 
assistance.
    This final rule is applicable to certain EPA actions subject to 
NEPA, including certain applicant-proposed projects. Because the 
projects are proposed by the applicants, who are non-federal entities, 
including small businesses and small governments, EPA does not know 
what projects will be proposed, when they will be proposed, or what 
level of NEPA review will be required for each individual project. In 
this regard, EPA's NEPA review process is reactive to an applicant's 
request. These factors are built into this screening assessment,

[[Page 53660]]

including assumptions about the entities likely to be subject to the 
regulations, the types of projects they are likely to propose, and the 
degree of possible economic impact based on the NEPA review process and 
the three levels of environmental documentation possible under this 
process using available historical information as future indicators. 
More detailed information on the small entity screening analysis can be 
found in the docket for this proposed rulemaking, EPA-HQ-00OECA-2005-
0062 (available at http://www.regulations.gov), and is summarized 

below.
    Based on EPA's past experience, EPA anticipates that annually there 
will be approximately 170 small governments applying to EPA for STAG 
grants for projects subject to NEPA, and four small businesses applying 
to EPA for new source NPDES permits for a total of approximately 174 
small entities out of potential 312 total entities. Of the 174 small 
entities possibly affected by this rule, we have determined that the 
economic impact of submitting one-time environmental documentation to 
support a CE determination would be less than 1% of annual revenues for 
all small entities; and that for the one-time costs associated with 
submitting EA-related environmental documentation six small entities 
(3.4%) could experience an economic impact of 1-3%, and up to four 
small entities (2%) could experience an economic impact of greater than 
3%. Additionally, we have also determined that approximately 57 of the 
174 small entities (33%) could experience an economic impact of 1-3%, 
and up to 26 of the 174 small entities (15%) could experience an 
economic impact of greater than 3% for the one-time costs associated 
with submitting EIS-related environmental documentation. In all, these 
approximately 83 small entities represent about 48% of the estimated 
174 total number of small entities that could experience a one-time 
economic impact of 1-3% or greater of annual revenues. Of these 83 
small entities, 79 are likely to be governmental grant applicants and 
could be grant-eligible for EPA financial assistance with only one EIS 
anticipated per three years with this likelihood spread over 300 total 
grant applicants, including small and large governments, including 
tribes, and special districts.
    We have therefore concluded that today's final rule will relieve 
regulatory burden for all affected small entities.

D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), Public 
Law 104-4, establishes requirements for Federal agencies to assess the 
effects of their regulatory actions on State, local, and tribal 
governments and the private sector. Under section 202 of the UMRA, EPA 
generally must prepare a written statement, including a cost-benefit 
analysis, for proposed and final rules with ``Federal mandates'' that 
may result in expenditures to State, local, and tribal governments, in 
the aggregate, or to the private sector, of $100 million or more in any 
one year. Before promulgating an EPA rule for which a written statement 
is needed, section 205 of the UMRA generally requires EPA to identify 
and consider a reasonable number of regulatory alternatives and adopt 
the least costly, most cost-effective or least burdensome alternative 
that achieves the objectives of the rule. The provisions of section 205 
do not apply when they are inconsistent with applicable law. Moreover, 
section 205 allows EPA to adopt an alternative other than the least 
costly, most cost-effective or least burdensome alternative if the 
Administrator publishes with the final rule an explanation why that 
alternative was not adopted. Before EPA establishes any regulatory 
requirements that may significantly or uniquely affect small 
governments, including tribal governments, it must have developed under 
section 203 of the UMRA a small government agency plan. The plan must 
provide for notifying potentially affected small governments, enabling 
officials of affected small governments to have meaningful and timely 
input in the development of EPA regulatory proposals with significant 
Federal intergovernmental mandates, and informing, educating, and 
advising small governments on compliance with the regulatory 
requirements.
    Today's rule contains no Federal mandates (under the regulatory 
provisions of Title II of the UMRA) for State, local, or tribal 
governments or the private sector.
    EPA believes the calculation for this UMRA assessment is 
representative of most projects. On an annual one-time submission 
basis, EPA's aggregate estimate for applicants is $3,823,740 for 
contractor hours and costs, direct labor hours and costs, including 
third-year costs for an EIS/ROD for one grantee project. The 
requirement in today's final rule for applicants to submit one-time, 
project-specific environmental information does not impose substantial 
compliance costs on applicants, including governmental grantees, 
because it is not likely to result in the expenditure by applicants, 
including State and local governments, and tribes, in the aggregate, or 
the private sector, of $100 million or more in any one year. Thus, 
today's final rule is not subject to the requirements of sections 202 
and 205 of the UMRA, and EPA has determined that this rule contains no 
regulatory requirements that might significantly or uniquely affect 
small governments.

E. Executive Order 13132: Federalism

    Executive Order 13132, entitled ``Federalism'' (64 FR 43255, August 
10, 1999), requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure 
``meaningful and timely input by State and local officials in the 
development of regulatory policies that have federalism implications.'' 
``Policies that have federalism implications'' is defined in the 
Executive Order to include regulations that have ``substantial direct 
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government.''
    This final rule does not have federalism implications. It will not 
have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship 
between the national government and the States, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government, 
as specified in Executive Order 13132. Under these NEPA regulations, as 
well as EPA's procedures for implementing Executive Order 12114, State 
and local governments are required to submit environmental information 
only when the State or local government is a project-applicant for an 
EPA action subject to NEPA, for example, when the State or local 
government applies for a grant for a special project identified in 
EPA's State and Tribal Assistance (STAG) account, or for a new source 
NPDES permit issued by EPA. The requirement to submit environmental 
information to EPA for the NEPA review does not impose substantial 
compliance costs because it is not likely to result in the expenditure 
by State and local governments in the aggregate of $100 million or more 
in any one year. Further, this requirement does not preempt State law, 
or alter the current relationship between the States and the Federal 
Government. Thus, Executive Order 13132 does not apply to this rule.
    In the spirit of Executive Order 13132, and consistent with EPA 
policy to promote communications between EPA and State and local 
governments, EPA specifically solicited comment on the

[[Page 53661]]

proposed rule from State and local officials.

F. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian 
Tribal Governments

    Executive Order 13175, entitled ``Consultation and Coordination 
with Indian Tribal Governments'' (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), 
requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful 
and timely input by tribal officials in the development of regulatory 
policies that have tribal implications.'' This final rule does not have 
tribal implications, as specified in Executive Order 13175. Neither the 
amendments to EPA's NEPA implementing regulations nor the minor, 
technical amendments to EPA's procedures implementing Executive Order 
12114 impose new regulatory obligations on tribes. They will not have 
substantial direct effects on tribes, on the relationship between the 
national government and tribes, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities between the national government and tribes. Under 
EPA's regulations, Tribes are required to submit environmental 
information only when the Tribes are project-applicants for EPA actions 
subject to NEPA or Executive Order 12114, for example, when Tribes 
apply for grants for special projects identified in EPA's State and 
Tribal Assistance (STAG) account, or for new source NPDES permits 
issued by EPA. The requirement to submit environmental information to 
EPA for the environmental review process do not impose substantial 
compliance costs because it is not likely to result in the expenditure 
by state, local, and tribal governments in the aggregate of $100 
million or more in any one year. Further, these requirements do not 
preempt tribal law. Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this 
rule.

G. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental 
Health and Safety Risks

    Executive Order 13045, ``Protection of Children from Environmental 
Health Risks and Safety Risks,'' (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997) applies 
to any rule that: (1) Is determined to be ``economically significant'' 
as defined under Executive Order 12866, and (2) concerns an 
environmental health or safety risk that EPA has reason to believe may 
have a disproportionate effect on children. If the regulatory action 
meets both criteria, the Agency must evaluate the environmental health 
or safety effects of the planned rule on children, and explain why the 
planned regulation is preferable to other potentially effective and 
reasonably feasible alternatives considered by the Agency.
    EPA interprets Executive Order 13045 as applying only to those 
regulatory actions that are based on health or safety risks, such that 
the analysis required under section 5-501 of the Order has the 
potential to influence the regulation. This final rule is not subject 
to Executive Order 13045 because it does not establish an environmental 
standard intended to mitigate health or safety risks.

H. Executive Order 13211: Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution and Use

    This rule is not a ``significant energy action'' as defined in 
Executive Order 13211, ``Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use'' (66 FR 28355 
(May 22, 2001)) because it is not likely to have a significant adverse 
effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy. Further, we have 
concluded that this rule is not likely to have any adverse energy 
effects.

I. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995

    As noted in the proposed rule, Section 12(d) of the National 
Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (``NTTAA''), Public Law 
104-113, 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 note) directs EPA to use voluntary 
consensus standards in its regulatory activities unless to do so would 
be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary 
consensus standards are technical standards (e.g., materials 
specifications, test methods, sampling procedures, and business 
practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus 
standards bodies. The NTTAA directs EPA to provide Congress, through 
OMB, explanations when the Agency decides not to use available and 
applicable voluntary consensus standards. This action does not involve 
technical standards. Therefore, EPA did not consider the use of any 
voluntary consensus standards.

J. Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions To Address Environmental 
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations

    EPA maintains an ongoing commitment to ensure environmental justice 
for all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income. 
Ensuring environmental justice means not only protecting human health 
and the environment for everyone, but also ensuring that all people are 
treated fairly and given the opportunity to participate meaningfully in 
the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, 
regulations, and policies. In recognizing that minority and/or low-
income communities frequently may be exposed disproportionately to 
environmental harms and risks, EPA works to protect these and other 
burdened communities from adverse human health and environmental 
effects of its programs, consistent with existing environmental and 
civil rights laws, and their implementing regulations, as well as 
Executive Order 12898, ``Federal Actions to Address Environmental 
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations.'' (59 FR 
7629 (February 16, 1994)). Executive Order 12898 establishes federal 
executive policy on environmental justice. Its main provision directs 
federal agencies, to the greatest extent practicable and permitted by 
law, to make environmental justice part of their mission by identifying 
and addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse 
human health or environmental effects of their programs, policies, and 
activities on minority populations and/or low-income populations in the 
United States. In developing this rule in compliance with Executive 
Order 12898, EPA determined that this rule did not raise any 
environmental justice concerns.
    Today's rule, including the amended EPA NEPA implementing 
procedures and the minor, technical amendments to the Agency's 
procedures for implementing Executive Order 12114, does not impose new 
regulatory program, policy, or activity obligations on EPA, state or 
local governments, tribes, or individual applicants required to provide 
environmental information to EPA for certain grants or permits. 
Therefore, EPA has determined that this final rule will not have 
disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental 
effects on minority or low-income populations because it does not 
affect the level of protection provided to human health or the 
environment. However, the NEPA rule at Sec.  6.201 requires that for 
specific projects, consistent with 40 CFR 1500.5(g) and 1502.25, the 
EPA Responsible Official must determine the applicability of executive 
orders, including Executive Order 12898, and should incorporate 
applicable requirements as early in the NEPA review process as 
possible. In addition, sections 6.203(a)(5) and (c)(3)(iv) require the 
Responsible Official to choose public participation methods and

[[Page 53662]]

engage in outreach designed to reach those in ``potentially affected 
communities where the proposed action is known or expected to have 
environmental impacts including minority communities, low-income 
communities, or federally-recognized Indian tribal communities.'' EPA 
provides guidance to Responsible Officials and EPA staff on 
incorporating environmental justice concerns into the NEPA analysis. 
See ``Final Guidance For Incorporating Environmental Justice Concerns 
in EPA's NEPA Compliance Analyses,'' April 1998.

K. Congressional Review Act

    The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the 
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally 
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating 
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, 
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the 
United States. EPA will submit a report containing this rule and other 
required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of 
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior 
to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A Major rule cannot 
take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal 
Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 
804(2). This rule will be effective October 19, 2007.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 6

    Environmental protection, Environmental assessments, Environmental 
impact statements, Environmental protection reporting, Foreign 
relations, Grant programs--environmental protection, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

    Dated: September 7, 2007.
Stephen L. Johnson,
Administrator.

0
Therefore, for the reasons set forth in the preamble, EPA hereby amends 
title 40, chapter I of the Code of Federal Regulations by revising part 
6 to read as follows:

PART 6--PROCEDURES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL 
POLICY ACT AND ASSESSING THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ABROAD OF EPA 
ACTIONS

Subpart A--General Provisions for EPA Actions Subject to NEPA
Sec.
6.100 Policy and Purpose.
6.101 Applicability.
6.102 Definitions.
6.103 Responsibilities of the NEPA and Responsible Officials.
Subpart B--EPA's NEPA Environmental Review Procedures
6.200 General requirements.
6.201 Coordination with other environmental review requirements.
6.202 Interagency cooperation.
6.203 Public participation.
6.204 Categorical exclusions and extraordinary circumstances.
6.205 Environmental assessments.
6.206 Findings of no significant impact.
6.207 Environmental impact statements.
6.208 Records of decision.
6.209 Filing requirements for EPA EISs.
6.210 Emergency circumstances.
Subpart C--Requirements for Environmental Information Documents and 
Third-Party Agreements for EPA Actions Subject to NEPA
6.300 Applicability.
6.301 Applicant requirements.
6.302 Responsible Official requirements.
6.303 Third-party agreements.
Subpart D--Assessing the Environmental Effects Abroad of EPA Actions
6.400 Purpose and policy.
6.401 Applicability.
6.402 Definitions.
6.403 Environmental review and assessment requirements.
6.404 Lead or cooperating agency.
6.405 Exemptions and considerations.
6.406 Implementation.

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., 7401-7671q, unless otherwise 
noted.

Subpart A--General Provisions for EPA Actions Subject to NEPA

Sec.  6.100  Policy and purpose.

    (a) The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq., as implemented by the Council on Environmental Quality 
(CEQ) Regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500 through 1508), requires that 
Federal agencies include in their decision-making processes appropriate 
and careful consideration of all environmental effects of proposed 
actions, analyze potential environmental effects of proposed actions 
and their alternatives for public understanding and scrutiny, avoid or 
minimize adverse effects of proposed actions, and restore and enhance 
environmental quality to the extent practicable. The U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA) shall integrate these NEPA requirements as 
early in the Agency planning processes as possible. The environmental 
review process shall be the focal point to ensure NEPA considerations 
are taken into account.
    (b) Through this part, EPA adopts the CEQ Regulations (40 CFR Parts 
1500 through 1508) implementing NEPA; subparts A through C of this part 
supplement those regulations, for actions proposed by EPA that are 
subject to NEPA requirements. Subparts A through C supplement, and are 
to be used in conjunction with, the CEQ Regulations.

Sec.  6.101  Applicability.

    (a) Subparts A through C of this part apply to the proposed actions 
of EPA that are subject to NEPA. EPA actions subject to NEPA include 
the award of wastewater treatment construction grants under Title II of 
the Clean Water Act, EPA's issuance of new source National Pollutant 
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits under section 402 of the 
Clean Water Act, certain research and development projects, development 
and issuance of regulations, EPA actions involving renovations or new 
construction of facilities, and certain grants awarded for projects 
authorized by Congress through the Agency's annual Appropriations Act.
    (b) Subparts A through C of this part do not apply to EPA actions 
for which NEPA review is not required. EPA actions under the Clean 
Water Act, except those identified in Sec.  6.101(a), and EPA actions 
under the Clean Air Act are statutorily exempt from NEPA. Additionally, 
the courts have determined that certain EPA actions for which analyses 
that have been conducted under another statute are functionally 
equivalent with NEPA.
    (c) The appropriate Responsible Official will undertake certain EPA 
actions required by the provisions of subparts A through C of this 
part.
    (d) Certain procedures in subparts A through C of this part apply 
to the responsibilities of the NEPA Official.
    (e) Certain procedures in subparts A through C of this part apply 
to applicants who are required to provide environmental information to 
EPA.
    (f) When the Responsible Official decides to perform an 
environmental review under the Policy for EPA's Voluntary Preparation 
of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Documents, the Responsible 
Official generally will follow the procedures set out in subparts A 
through C of this part.

Sec.  6.102  Definitions.

    (a) Subparts A through C of this part use the definitions found at 
40 CFR part 1508. Additional definitions are listed in this subpart.
    (b) Definitions.
    (1) Administrator means the Administrator of the United States 
Environmental Protection Agency.
    (2) Applicant means any individual, agency, or other entity that 
has:

[[Page 53663]]

    (i) Filed an application for federal assistance; or
    (ii) Applied to EPA for a permit.
    (3) Assistance agreement means an award of federal assistance in 
the form of money or property in lieu of money from EPA to an eligible 
applicant including grants or cooperative agreements.
    (4) Environmental information document (EID) means a written 
analysis prepared by an applicant that provides sufficient information 
for the Responsible Official to undertake an environmental review and 
prepare either an EA and FONSI or an EIS and record of decision (ROD) 
for the proposed action.
    (5) Environmental review or NEPA review means the process used to 
comply with section 102(2) of NEPA or the CEQ Regulations including 
development, supplementation, adoption, and revision of NEPA documents.
    (6) Extraordinary circumstances means those circumstances listed in 
section 6.204 of this part that may cause a significant environmental 
effect such that a proposed action that otherwise meets the 
requirements of a categorical exclusion may not be categorically 
excluded.
    (7) NEPA document is a document prepared pursuant to NEPA.
    (8) NEPA Official is the Assistant Administrator for Enforcement 
and Compliance Assurance, who is responsible for EPA's NEPA compliance.
    (9) Responsible Official means the EPA official responsible for 
compliance with NEPA for individual proposed actions.

Sec.  6.103  Responsibilities of the NEPA and Responsible Officials.

    (a) The NEPA Official will:
    (1) Ensure EPA's compliance with NEPA pursuant to 40 CFR 1507.2(a) 
and the regulations in subparts A through C of this part.
    (2) Act as EPA's liaison with the CEQ and other federal agencies, 
state and local governments, and federally-recognized Indian tribes on 
matters of policy and administrative procedures regarding compliance 
with NEPA.
    (3) Approve procedural deviations from subparts A through C of this 
part.
    (4) Monitor the overall timeliness and quality of EPA's compliance 
with subparts A through C of this part.
    (5) Advise the Administrator on NEPA-related actions that involve 
more than one EPA office, are highly controversial, are nationally 
significant, or establish new EPA NEPA-related policy.
    (6) Support the Administrator by providing policy guidance on NEPA-
related issues.
    (7) Assist EPA's Responsible Officials with establishing and 
maintaining adequate administrative procedures to comply with subparts 
A through C of this part, performing their NEPA duties, and training 
personnel and applicants involved in the environmental review process.
    (8) Consult with Responsible Officials and CEQ regarding proposed 
changes to subpart A through C of this part, including:
    (i) The addition, amendment, or deletion of a categorical 
exclusion, or
    (ii) Changes to the listings of types of actions that normally 
require the preparation of an EA or EIS.
    (9) Determine whether proposed changes are appropriate, and if so, 
coordinate with CEQ, pursuant to 40 CFR 1507.3, and initiate a process 
to amend this part.
    (b) The Responsible Official will:
    (1) Ensure EPA's compliance with the CEQ regulations and subparts A 
through C of this part for proposed actions.
    (2) Ensure that environmental reviews are conducted on proposed 
actions at the earliest practicable point in EPA's decision-making 
process and in accordance with the provisions of subparts A through C 
of this part.
    (3) Ensure, to the extent practicable, early and continued 
involvement of interested federal agencies, state and local 
governments, federally-recognized Indian tribes, and affected 
applicants in the environmental review process.
    (4) Coordinate with the NEPA Official and other Responsible 
Officials, as appropriate, on resolving issues involving EPA-wide NEPA 
policy and procedures (including the addition, amendment, or deletion 
of a categorical exclusion and changes to the listings of the types of 
actions that normally requires the preparation of an EA or EIS) and/or 
unresolved conflicts with other federal agencies, state and local 
governments, and federally-recognized Indian tribes, and/or advising 
the Administrator when necessary.
    (5) Coordinate with other Responsible Officials, as appropriate, on 
NEPA-related actions involving their specific interests.
    (6) Consistent with national NEPA guidance, provide specific policy 
guidance, as appropriate, and ensure that the Responsible Official's 
office establishes and maintains adequate administrative procedures to 
comply with subparts A through C of this part.
    (7) Upon request of an applicant and consistent with 40 CFR 1501.8, 
set time limits on the NEPA review appropriate to individual proposed 
actions.
    (8) Make decisions relating to the preparation of the appropriate 
NEPA documents, including preparing an EA or EIS, and signing the 
decision document.
    (9) Monitor the overall timeliness and quality of the Responsible 
Official's respective office's efforts to comply with subparts A 
through C of this part.
    (c) The NEPA Official and the Responsible Officials may delegate 
NEPA-related responsibilities to a level no lower than the Branch Chief 
or equivalent organizational level.

Subpart B--EPA's NEPA Environmental Review Procedures

Sec.  6.200  General requirements.

    (a) The Responsible Official must determine whether the proposed 
action meets the criteria for categorical exclusion or whether it 
requires preparation of an EA or an EIS to identify and evaluate its 
environmental impacts. The Responsible Official may decide to prepare 
an EIS without first undertaking an EA.
    (b) The Responsible Official must determine the scope of the 
environmental review by considering the type of proposed action, the 
reasonable alternatives, and the type of environmental impacts. The 
scope of an EIS will be determined as provided in 40 CFR 1508.25.
    (c) During the environmental review process, the Responsible 
Official must:
    (1) Integrate the NEPA process and the procedures of subparts A 
through C of this part into early planning to ensure appropriate 
consideration of NEPA's policies and to minimize or eliminate delay;
    (2) Emphasize cooperative consultation among federal agencies, 
state and local governments, and federally-recognized Indian tribes 
before an EA or EIS is prepared to help ensure compliance with the 
procedural provisions of subparts A through C of this part and with 
other environmental review requirements, to address the need for 
interagency cooperation, to identify the requirements for other 
agencies' reviews, and to ensure appropriate public participation.
    (3) Identify at an early stage any potentially significant 
environmental issues to be evaluated in detail and insignificant issues 
to be de-emphasized, focusing the scope of the environmental review 
accordingly;
    (4) Involve other agencies and the public, as appropriate, in the 
environmental review process for

[[Page 53664]]

proposed actions that are not categorically excluded to:
    (i) Identify the federal, state, local, and federally-recognized 
Indian tribal entities and the members of the public that may have an 
interest in the action;
    (ii) Request that appropriate federal, state, and local agencies 
and federally-recognized Indian tribes serve as cooperating agencies 
consistent with 40 CFR 1501.6 and 1508.5; and
    (iii) Integrate, where possible, review of applicable federal laws 
and executive orders into the environmental review process in 
conjunction with the development of NEPA documents.
    (d) When preparing NEPA documents, the Responsible Official must:
    (1) Utilize a systematic, interdisciplinary approach to integrate 
the natural and social sciences with the environmental design arts in 
planning and making decisions on proposed actions subject to 
environmental review under subparts A through C of this part (see 40 
CFR 1501.2(a) and 1507.2);
    (2) Plan adequate time and funding for the NEPA review and 
preparation of the NEPA documents. Planning includes consideration of 
whether an applicant will be required to prepare an EID for the 
proposed action.
    (3) Review relevant planning or decision-making documents, whether 
prepared by EPA or another federal agency, to determine if the proposed 
action or any of its alternatives have been considered in a prior 
federal NEPA document. EPA may adopt the existing document, or will 
incorporate by reference any pertinent part of it, consistent with 40 
CFR 1506.3 and 1502.21.
    (4) Review relevant environmental review documents prepared by a 
state or local government or a federally-recognized Indian tribe to 
determine if the proposed action or any of its alternatives have been 
considered in such a document. EPA will incorporate by reference any 
pertinent part of that document consistent with 40 CFR 1502.21.
    (e) During the decision-making process for the proposed action, the 
Responsible Official must:
    (1) Incorporate the NEPA review in decision-making on the action. 
Processing and review of an applicant's application must proceed 
concurrently with the NEPA review procedures set out in subparts A 
through C of this part. EPA must complete its NEPA review before making 
a decision on the action.
    (2) Consider the relevant NEPA documents, public and other agency 
comments (if any) on those documents, and EPA responses to those 
comments, as part of consideration of the action (see 40 CFR 
1505.1(d)).
    (3) Consider the alternatives analyzed in an EA or EIS before 
rendering a decision on the action; and
    (4) Ensure that the decision on the action is to implement an 
alternative analyzed or is within the range of alternatives analyzed in 
the EA or EIS (see 40 CFR 1505.1(e)).
    (f) To eliminate duplication and to foster efficiency, the 
Responsible Official should use tiering (see 40 CFR 1502.20 and 
1508.28) and incorporate material by reference (see 40 CFR 1502.21) as 
appropriate.
    (g) For applicant-related proposed actions:
    (1) The Responsible Official may request that the applicant submit 
information to support the application of a categorical exclusion to 
the applicant's pending action.
    (2) The Responsible Official may gather the information and prepare 
the NEPA document without assistance from the applicant, or, pursuant 
to Subpart C of this part, have the applicant prepare an EID or a draft 
EA and supporting documents, or enter into a third-party agreement with 
the applicant.
    (3) During the environmental review process, applicants may 
continue to compile additional information needed for the environmental 
review and/or information necessary to support an application for a 
permit or assistance agreement from EPA.
    (h) For all NEPA determinations (CEs, EA/FONSIs, or EIS/RODs) that 
are five years old or older, and for which the subject action has not 
yet been implemented, the Responsible Official must re-evaluate the 
proposed action, environmental conditions, and public views to 
determine whether to conduct a supplemental environmental review of the 
action and complete an appropriate NEPA document or reaffirm EPA's 
original NEPA determination. If there has been substantial change in 
the proposed action that is relevant to environmental concerns, or if 
there are significant new circumstances or information relevant to 
environmental concerns and bearing on the proposed action or its 
impacts, the Responsible Official must conduct a supplemental 
environmental review of the action and complete an appropriate NEPA 
document.

Sec.  6.201  Coordination with other environmental review requirements.

    Consistent with 40 CFR 1500.5(g) and 1502.25, the Responsible 
Official must determine the applicability of other environmental laws 
and executive orders, to the fullest extent possible. The Responsible 
Official should incorporate applicable requirements as early in the 
NEPA review process as possible.

Sec.  6.202  Interagency cooperation.

    (a) Consistent with 40 CFR 1501.5, 1501.6, and 1508.5, the 
Responsible Official will request other appropriate federal and non-
federal agencies to be joint lead or cooperating agencies as a means of 
encouraging early coordination and cooperation with federal agencies, 
state and local governments, and federally-recognized Indian tribes 
with jurisdiction by law or special expertise.
    (b) For an EPA action related to an action of any other federal 
agency, the Responsible Official must comply with the requirements of 
40 CFR 1501.5 and 1501.6 relating to lead agencies and cooperating 
agencies, respectively. The Responsible Official will work with the 
other involved agencies to facilitate coordination and to reduce delay 
and duplication.
    (c) To prepare a single document to fulfill both NEPA and state or 
local government, or federally-recognized Indian tribe requirements, 
consistent with 40 CFR 1506.2, the Responsible Official should enter 
into a written agreement with the involved state or local government, 
or federally-recognized Indian tribe that sets out the intentions of 
the parties, including the responsibilities each party intends to 
assume and procedures the parties intend to follow.

Sec.  6.203  Public participation.

    (a) General requirements. (1) The procedures in this section apply 
to EPA's environmental review processes, including development, 
supplementation, adoption, and revision of NEPA documents.
    (2) The Responsible Official will make diligent efforts to involve 
the public, including applicants, in the preparation of EAs or EISs 
consistent with 40 CFR 1501.4 and 1506.6 and applicable EPA public 
participation regulations (e.g., 40 CFR Part 25).
    (3) EPA NEPA documents will use plain language to the extent 
possible.
    (4) The Responsible Official will, to the greatest extent possible, 
give notice to any state or local government, or federally-recognized 
Indian tribe that, in the Official's judgment, may be affected by an 
action for which EPA plans to prepare an EA or an EIS.
    (5) The Responsible Official must use appropriate communication 
procedures to ensure meaningful public participation throughout the 
NEPA

[[Page 53665]]

process. The Responsible Official must make reasonable efforts to 
involve the potentially affected communities where the proposed action 
is expected to have environmental impacts or where the proposed action 
may have human health or environmental effects in any communities, 
including minority communities, low-income communities, or federally-
recognized Indian tribal communities.
    (b) EA and FONSI requirements. (1) At least thirty (30) calendar 
days before making the decision on whether, and if so how, to proceed 
with a proposed action, the Responsible Official must make the EA and 
preliminary FONSI available for review and comment to the interested 
federal agencies, state and local governments, federally-recognized 
Indian tribes and the affected public. The Responsible Official must 
respond to any substantive comments received and finalize the EA and 
FONSI before making a decision on the proposed action.
    (2) Where circumstances make it necessary to take the action 
without observing the 30 calendar day comment period, the Responsible 
Official must notify the NEPA Official before taking such action. If 
the NEPA Official determines that a reduced comment period would be in 
the best interest of the Government, the NEPA Official will inform the 
Responsible Official, as soon as possible, of this approval. The 
Responsible Official will make the EA and preliminary FONSI available 
for review and comment for the reduced comment period.
    (c) EIS and ROD requirements. (1) As soon as practicable after the 
decision to prepare an EIS and before beginning the scoping process, 
the Responsible Official must ensure that a notice of intent (NOI) (see 
40 CFR 1508.22) is published in the Federal Register. The NOI must 
briefly describe the proposed action; a preliminary list of 
environmental issues to be analyzed, and possible alternatives; EPA's 
proposed scoping process including, if available, whether, when, and 
where any scoping meeting will be held; and the name and contact 
information for the person designated by EPA to answer questions about 
the proposed action and the EIS. The NOI must invite comments and 
suggestions on the scope of the EIS.
    (2) The Responsible Official must disseminate the NOI consistent 
with 40 CFR 1506.6.
    (3) The Responsible Official must conduct the scoping process 
consistent with 40 CFR 1501.7 and any applicable EPA public 
participation regulations (e.g., 40 CFR Part 25).
    (i) Publication of the NOI in the Federal Register begins the 
scoping process.
    (ii) The Responsible Official must ensure that the scoping process 
for an EIS allows a minimum of thirty (30) days for the receipt of 
public comments.
    (iii) The Responsible Official may hold one or more public meetings 
as part of the scoping process for an EPA EIS. The Responsible Official 
must announce the location, date, and time of public scoping meetings 
in the NOI or by other appropriate means, such as additional notices in 
the Federal Register, news releases to the local media, or letters to 
affected parties. Public scoping meetings should be held at least 
fifteen (15) days after public notification.
    (iv) The Responsible Official must use appropriate means to 
publicize the availability of draft and final EISs and the time and 
place for public meetings or hearings on draft EISs. The methods chosen 
for public participation must focus on reaching persons who may be 
interested in the proposed action. Such persons include those in 
potentially affected communities where the proposed action is known or 
expected to have environmental impacts including minority communities, 
low-income communities, or federally-recognized Indian tribal 
communities.
    (v) The Responsible Official must circulate the draft and final 
EISs consistent with 40 CFR 1502.19 and any applicable EPA public 
participation regulations and in accordance with the 45-day public 
review period for draft EISs and the 30-day public review period for 
final EISs (see Sec.  6.209 of this part). Consistent with section 
6.209(b) of this part, the Responsible Official may establish a longer 
public comment period for a draft or final EIS.
    (vi) After preparing a draft EIS and before preparing a final EIS, 
the Responsible Official must solicit the comments of appropriate 
federal agencies, state and/or local governments, and/or federally-
recognized Indian tribes, and the public (see 40 CFR 1503.1). The 
Responsible Official must respond in the final EIS to substantive 
comments received (see 40 CFR 1503.4).
    (vii) The Responsible Official may conduct one or more public 
meetings or hearings on the draft EIS as part of the public involvement 
process. If meetings or hearings are held, the Responsible Official 
must make the draft EIS available to the public at least thirty (30) 
days in advance of any meeting or hearing.
    (4) The Responsible Official must make the ROD available to the 
public upon request.

Sec.  6.204  Categorical exclusions and extraordinary circumstances.

    (a) A proposed action may be categorically excluded if the action 
fits within a category of action that is eligible for exclusion and the 
proposed action does not involve any extraordinary circumstances.
    (1) Certain actions eligible for categorical exclusion require the 
Responsible Official to document a determination that a categorical 
exclusion applies. The documentation must include: A brief description 
of the proposed action; a statement identifying the categorical 
exclusion that applies to the action; and a statement explaining why no 
extraordinary circumstances apply to the proposed action. The 
Responsible Official must make a copy of the determination document 
available to the public upon request. The categorical exclusions 
requiring this documentation are listed in paragraphs (a)(1)(i) through 
(a)(1)(v) of this section.
    (i) Actions at EPA owned or operated facilities involving routine 
facility maintenance, repair, and grounds-keeping; minor 
rehabilitation, restoration, renovation, or revitalization of existing 
facilities; functional replacement of equipment; acquisition and 
installation of equipment; or construction of new minor ancillary 
facilities adjacent to or on the same property as existing facilities.
    (ii) Actions relating to existing infrastructure systems (such as 
sewer systems; drinking water supply systems; and stormwater systems, 
including combined sewer overflow systems) that involve minor 
upgrading, or minor expansion of system capacity or rehabilitation 
(including functional replacement) of the existing system and system 
components (such as the sewer collection network and treatment system; 
the system to collect, treat, store and distribute drinking water; and 
stormwater systems, including combined sewer overflow systems) or 
construction of new minor ancillary facilities adjacent to or on the 
same property as existing facilities. This category does not include 
actions that: involve new or relocated discharges to surface or ground 
water; will likely result in the substantial increase in the volume or 
the loading of pollutant to the receiving water; will provide capacity 
to serve a population 30% greater than the existing population; are not 
supported by the state, or other regional growth plan or strategy; or 
directly or indirectly involve or relate to upgrading or

[[Page 53666]]

extending infrastructure systems primarily for the purposes of future 
development.
    (iii) Actions in unsewered communities involving the replacement of 
existing onsite systems, providing the new onsite systems do not result 
in substantial increases in the volume of discharge or the loadings of 
pollutants from existing sources, or relocate existing discharge.
    (iv) Actions involving re-issuance of a NPDES permit for a new 
source providing the conclusions of the original NEPA document are 
still valid (including the appropriate mitigation), there will be no 
degradation of the receiving waters, and the permit conditions do not 
change or are more environmentally protective.
    (v) Actions for award of grants authorized by Congress under EPA's 
annual Appropriations Act that are solely for reimbursement of the 
costs of a project that was completed prior to the date the 
appropriation was enacted.
    (2) Certain actions eligible for categorical exclusion do not 
require the Responsible Official to document a determination that a 
categorical exclusion applies. These categorical exclusions are listed 
in paragraphs (a)(2)(i) through (a)(2)(x) of this section.
    (i) Procedural, ministerial, administrative, financial, personnel, 
and management actions necessary to support the normal conduct of EPA 
business.
    (ii) Acquisition actions (compliant with applicable procedures for 
sustainable or ``green'' procurement) and contracting actions necessary 
to support the normal conduct of EPA business.
    (iii) Actions involving information collection, dissemination, or 
exchange; planning; monitoring and sample collection wherein no 
significant alteration of existing ambient conditions occurs; 
educational and training programs; literature searches and studies; 
computer studies and activities; research and analytical activities; 
development of compliance assistance tools; and architectural and 
engineering studies. These actions include those conducted directly by 
EPA and EPA actions relating to contracts or assistance agreements 
involving such actions.
    (iv) Actions relating to or conducted completely within a 
permanent, existing contained facility, such as a laboratory, or other 
enclosed building, provided that reliable and scientifically-sound 
methods are used to appropriately dispose of wastes and safeguards 
exist to prevent hazardous, toxic, and radioactive materials in excess 
of allowable limits from entering the environment. Where such 
activities are conducted at laboratories, the Lab Director or other 
appropriate official must certify in writing that the laboratory 
follows good laboratory practices and adheres to all applicable 
federal, state, local, and federally-recognized Indian tribal laws and 
regulations. This category does not include activities related to 
construction and/or demolition within the facility (see paragraph 
(a)(1)(i) of this section).
    (v) Actions involving emergency preparedness planning and training 
activities.
    (vi) Actions involving the acquisition, transfer, lease, 
disposition, or closure of existing permanent structures, land, 
equipment, materials, or personal property provided that the property: 
has been used solely for office functions; has never been used for 
laboratory purposes by any party; does not require site remediation; 
and will be used in essentially the same manner such that the type and 
magnitude of the impacts will not change substantially. This category 
does not include activities related to construction and/or demolition 
of structures on the property (see paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this 
section).
    (vii) Actions involving providing technical advice to federal 
agencies, state or local governments, federally-recognized Indian 
tribes, foreign governments, or public or private entities.
    (viii) Actions involving approval of EPA participation in 
international ``umbrella'' agreements for cooperation in environmental-
related activities that would not commit the United States to any 
specific projects or actions.
    (ix) Actions involving containment or removal and disposal of 
asbestos-containing material or lead-based paint from EPA owned or 
operated facilities when undertaken in accordance with applicable 
regulations.
    (x) Actions involving new source NPDES permit modifications that 
make only technical corrections to the NPDES permit (such as correcting 
typographical errors) that do not result in a change in environmental 
impacts or conditions.
    (b) The Responsible Official must review actions eligible for 
categorical exclusion to determine whether any extraordinary 
circumstances are involved. Extraordinary circumstances are listed in 
paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(10) of this section. (See 40 CFR 1508.4.)
    (1) The proposed action is known or expected to have potentially 
significant environmental impacts on the quality of the human 
environment either individually or cumulatively over time.
    (2) The proposed action is known or expected to have 
disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental 
effects on any community, including minority communities, low-income 
communities, or federally-recognized Indian tribal communities.
    (3) The proposed action is known or expected to significantly 
affect federally listed threatened or endangered species or their 
critical habitat.
    (4) The proposed action is known or expected to significantly 
affect national natural landmarks or any property with nationally 
significant historic, architectural, prehistoric, archeological, or 
cultural value, including but not limited to, property listed on or 
eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
    (5) The proposed action is known or expected to significantly 
affect environmentally important natural resource areas such as 
wetlands, floodplains, significant agricultural lands, aquifer recharge 
zones, coastal zones, barrier islands, wild and scenic rivers, and 
significant fish or wildlife habitat.
    (6) The proposed action is known or expected to cause significant 
adverse air quality effects.
    (7) The proposed action is known or expected to have a significant 
effect on the pattern and type of land use (industrial, commercial, 
agricultural, recreational, residential) or growth and distribution of 
population including altering the character of existing residential 
areas, or may not be consistent with state or local government, or 
federally-recognized Indian tribe approved land use plans or federal 
land management plans.
    (8) The proposed action is known or expected to cause significant 
public controversy about a potential environmental impact of the 
proposed action.
    (9) The proposed action is known or expected to be associated with 
providing financial assistance to a federal agency through an 
interagency agreement for a project that is known or expected to have 
potentially significant environmental impacts.
    (10) The proposed action is known or expected to conflict with 
federal, state or local government, or federally-recognized Indian 
tribe environmental, resource-protection, or land-use laws or 
regulations.
    (c) The Responsible Official may request that an applicant submit 
sufficient information to enable the Responsible Official to determine 
whether a categorical exclusion applies to the applicant's proposed 
action or

[[Page 53667]]

whether an exceptional circumstance applies. Pursuant to Subpart C of 
this part, applicants are not required to prepare EIDs for actions that 
are being considered for categorical exclusion.
    (d) The Responsible Official must prepare an EA or EIS when a 
proposed action involves extraordinary circumstances.
    (e) After a determination has been made that a categorical 
exclusion applies to an action, if new information or changes in the 
proposed action involve or relate to at least one of the extraordinary 
circumstances or otherwise indicate that the action may not meet the 
criteria for categorical exclusion and the Responsible Official 
determines that an action no longer qualifies for a categorical 
exclusion, the Responsible Official will prepare an EA or EIS.
    (f) The Responsible Official, or other interested parties, may 
request the addition, amendment, or deletion of a categorical 
exclusion.
    (1) Such requests must be made in writing, be directed to the NEPA 
Official, and contain adequate information to support and justify the 
request.
    (2) Proposed new categories of actions for exclusion must meet 
these criteria:
    (i) Actions covered by the proposed categorical exclusion generally 
do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the 
human environment and have been found by EPA to have no such effect.
    (ii) Actions covered by the proposed categorical exclusion 
generally do not involve extraordinary circumstances as set out in 
paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(14) of this section and generally do not 
require preparation of an EIS; and
    (iii) Information adequate to determine that a proposed action is 
properly covered by the proposed category will generally be available.
    (3) The NEPA Official must determine that the addition, amendment, 
or deletion of a categorical exclusion is appropriate.
    (g) Any addition, amendment, or deletion of a categorical exclusion 
will be done by rule-making and in coordination with CEQ pursuant to 40 
CFR 1507.3 to amend paragraph (a)(1) or paragraph (a)(2) of this 
section.

Sec.  6.205  Environmental assessments.

    (a) The Responsible Official must prepare an environmental 
assessment (EA) (see 40 CFR 1508.9) for a proposed action that is 
expected to result in environmental impacts and the significance of the 
impacts is not known. An EA is not required if the proposed action is 
categorically excluded, or if the Responsible Official has decided to 
prepare an EIS. (See 40 CFR 1501.3.)
    (b) Types of actions that normally require the preparation of an EA 
include:
    (1) The award of wastewater treatment construction grants under 
Title II of the Clean Water Act;
    (2) EPA's issuance of new source NPDES permits under section 402 of 
the Clean Water Act;
    (3) EPA actions involving renovations or new construction of 
facilities;
    (4) Certain grants awarded for special projects authorized by 
Congress through the Agency's annual Appropriations Act; and
    (5) Research and development projects, such as initial field 
demonstration of a new technology, field trials of a new product or new 
uses of an existing technology, alteration of a local habitat by 
physical or chemical means, or actions that may result in the release 
of radioactive, hazardous, or toxic substances, or biota.
    (c) The Responsible Official, or other interested parties, may 
request changes to the list of actions that normally require the 
preparation of an EA (i.e., the addition, amendment, or deletion of a 
type of action).
    (d) Consistent with 40 CFR 1508.9, an EA must provide sufficient 
information and analysis for determining whether to prepare an EIS or 
to issue a FONSI (see 40 CFR 1508.9(a)), and may include analyses 
needed for other environmental determinations. The EA must focus on 
resources that might be impacted and any environmental issues that are 
of public concern.
    (e) An EA must include:
    (1) A brief discussion of:
    (i) The need for the proposed action;
    (ii) The alternatives, including the no action alternative (which 
must be assessed even when the proposed action is specifically required 
by legislation or a court order);
    (iii) The affected environment, including baseline conditions that 
may be impacted by the proposed action and alternatives;
    (iv) The environmental impacts of the proposed action and 
alternatives, including any unresolved conflicts concerning alternative 
uses of available resources; and
    (v) Other applicable environmental laws and executive orders.
    (2) A listing or summary of any coordination or consultation 
undertaken with any federal agency, state or local government, or 
federally-recognized Indian tribe regarding compliance with applicable 
laws and executive orders;
    (3) Identification and description of any mitigation measures 
considered, including any mitigation measures that must be adopted to 
ensure the action will not have significant impacts; and
    (4) Incorporation of documents by reference, if appropriate, 
including, when available, the EID for the action.

Sec.  6.206  Findings of no significant impact.

    (a) The Responsible Official may issue a finding of no significant 
impact (FONSI) (see 40 CFR 1508.13) only if the EA supports the finding 
that the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the 
human environment. If the EA does not support a FONSI, the Responsible 
Official must prepare an EIS and issue a ROD before taking action on 
the proposed action.
    (b) Consistent with 40 CFR 1508.13, a FONSI must include:
    (1) The EA, or in lieu of the EA, a summary of the supporting EA 
that includes a brief description of the proposed action and 
alternatives considered in the EA, environmental factors considered, 
and project impacts; and
    (2) A brief description of the reasons why there are no significant 
impacts.
    (c) In addition, the FONSI must include:
    (1) Any commitments to mitigation that are essential to render the 
impacts of the proposed action not significant;
    (2) The date of issuance; and
    (3) The signature of the Responsible Official.
    (d) The Responsible Official must ensure that an applicant that has 
committed to mitigation possesses the authority and ability to fulfill 
the commitments.
    (e) The Responsible Official must make a preliminary FONSI 
available to the public in accordance with section 6.203(b) of this 
part before taking action.
    (f) The Responsible Official may proceed with the action subject to 
any mitigation measures described in the FONSI after responding to any 
substantive comments received on the preliminary FONSI during the 30-
day comment period, or 30 days after issuance of the FONSI if no 
substantive comments are received.
    (g) The Responsible Official must ensure that the mitigation 
measures necessary to the FONSI determination, at a minimum, are 
enforceable, and conduct appropriate monitoring of the mitigation 
measures.
    (h) The Responsible Official may revise a FONSI at any time 
provided the revision is supported by an EA. A revised FONSI is subject 
to all provisions of paragraph (d) of this section.

[[Page 53668]]

Sec.  6.207  Environmental impact statements.

    (a) The Responsible Official will prepare an environmental impact 
statement (EIS) (see 40 CFR 1508.11) for major federal actions 
significantly affecting the quality of the human environment, including 
actions for which the EA analysis demonstrates that significant impacts 
will occur that will not be reduced or eliminated by changes to or 
mitigation of the proposed action.
    (1) EISs are normally prepared for the following actions:
    (i) New regional wastewater treatment facilities or water supply 
systems for a community with a population greater than 100,000.
    (ii) Expansions of existing wastewater treatment facilities that 
will increase existing discharge to an impaired water by greater than 
10 million gallons per day (mgd).
    (iii) Issuance of new source NPDES permit for a new major 
industrial discharge.
    (iv) Issuance of a new source NPDES permit for a new oil/gas 
development and production operation on the outer continental shelf.
    (v) Issuance of a new source NPDES permit for a deepwater port with 
a projected discharge in excess of 10 mgd.
    (2) The Responsible Official, or other interested party, may 
request changes to the list of actions that normally require the 
preparation of an EIS (i.e., the addition, amendment, or deletion of a 
type of action).
    (3) A proposed action normally requires an EIS if it meets any of 
the following criteria. (See 40 CFR 1507.3(b)(2)).
    (i) The proposed action would result in a discharge of treated 
effluent from a new or modified existing facility into a body of water 
and the discharge is likely to have a significant effect on the quality 
of the receiving waters.
    (ii) The proposed action is likely to directly, or through induced 
development, have significant adverse effect upon local ambient air 
quality or local ambient noise levels.
    (iii). The proposed action is likely to have significant adverse 
effects on surface water reservoirs or navigation projects.
    (iv) The proposed action would be inconsistent with state or local 
government, or federally-recognized Indian tribe approved land use 
plans or regulations, or federal land management plans.
    (v) The proposed action would be inconsistent with state or local 
government, or federally-recognized Indian tribe environmental, 
resource-protection, or land-use laws and regulations for protection of 
the environment.
    (vi) The proposed action is likely to significantly affect the 
environment through the release of radioactive, hazardous or toxic 
substances, or biota.
    (vii) The proposed action involves uncertain environmental effects 
or highly unique environmental risks that are likely to be significant.
    (viii) The proposed action is likely to significantly affect 
national natural landmarks or any property on or eligible for the 
National Register of Historic Places.
    (ix) The proposed action is likely to significantly affect 
environmentally important natural resources such as wetlands, 
significant agricultural lands, aquifer recharge zones, coastal zones, 
barrier islands, wild and scenic rivers, and significant fish or 
wildlife habitat.
    (x) The proposed action in conjunction with related federal, state 
or local government, or federally-recognized Indian tribe projects is 
likely to produce significant cumulative impacts.
    (xi) The proposed action is likely to significantly affect the 
pattern and type of land use (industrial, commercial, recreational, 
residential) or growth and distribution of population including 
altering the character of existing residential areas.
    (4) An EIS must be prepared consistent with 40 CFR Part 1502.
    (b) When appropriate, the Responsible Official will prepare a 
legislative EIS consistent with 40 CFR 1506.8.
    (c) In preparing an EIS, the Responsible Official must determine if 
an applicant, other federal agencies or state or local governments, or 
federally-recognized Indian tribes are involved with the project and 
apply the applicable provisions of Sec.  6.202 and Subpart C of this 
part.
    (d) An EIS must:
    (1) Comply with all requirements at 40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508.
    (2) Analyze all reasonable alternatives and the no action 
alternative (which may be the same as denying the action). Assess the 
no action alternative even when the proposed action is specifically 
required by legislation or a court order.
    (3) Describe the potentially affected environment including, as 
appropriate, the size and location of new and existing facilities, land 
requirements, operation and maintenance requirements, auxiliary 
structures such as pipelines or transmission lines, and construction 
schedules.
    (4) Summarize any coordination or consultation undertaken with any 
federal agency, state and/or local government, and/or federally-
recognized Indian tribe, including copies or summaries of relevant 
correspondence.
    (5) Summarize any public meetings held during the scoping process 
including the date, time, place, and purpose of the meetings. The final 
EIS must summarize the public participation process including the date, 
time, place, and purpose of meetings or hearings held after publication 
of the draft EIS.
    (6) Consider substantive comments received during the public 
participation process. The draft EIS must consider the substantive 
comments received during the scoping process. The final EIS must 
include or summarize all substantive comments received on the draft 
EIS, respond to any substantive comments on the draft EIS, and explain 
any changes to the draft EIS and the reason for the changes.
    (7) Include the names and qualifications of the persons primarily 
responsible for preparing the EIS including an EIS prepared under a 
third-party contract (if applicable), significant background papers, 
and the EID (if applicable).
    (e) The Responsible Official must prepare a supplemental EIS when 
appropriate, consistent with 40 CFR 1502.9.

Sec.  6.208  Records of decision.

    (a) The Responsible Official may not make any decisions on the 
action until the time periods in 40 CFR 1506.10 have been met.
    (b) A record of decision (ROD) records EPA's decision on the 
action. Consistent with 40 CFR 1505.2, a ROD must include:
    (1) A brief description of the proposed action and alternatives 
considered in the EIS, environmental factors considered, and project 
impacts;
    (2) Any commitments to mitigation; and
    (3) An explanation if the environmentally preferred alternative was 
not selected.
    (c) In addition, the ROD must include:
    (1) Responses to any substantive comments on the final EIS;
    (2) The date of issuance; and
    (3) The signature of the Responsible Official.
    (d) The Responsible Official must ensure that an applicant that has 
committed to mitigation possesses the authority and ability to fulfill 
the commitment.
    (e) The Responsible Official must make a ROD available to the 
public.
    (f) Upon issuance of the ROD, the Responsible Official may proceed 
with the action subject to any mitigation

[[Page 53669]]

measures described in the ROD. The Responsible Official must ensure 
adequate monitoring of mitigation measures identified in the ROD.
    (g) If the mitigation identified in the ROD will be included as a 
condition in the permit or grant, the Responsible Official must ensure 
that EPA has the authority to impose the conditions. The Responsible 
Official should ensure that compliance with assistance agreement or 
permit conditions will be monitored and enforced under EPA's assistance 
agreement and permit authorities.
    (h) The Responsible Official may revise a ROD at any time provided 
the revision is supported by an EIS. A revised ROD is subject to all 
provisions of paragraph (d) of this section.

Sec.  6.209  Filing requirements for EPA EISs.

    (a) The Responsible Official must file an EIS with the NEPA 
Official no earlier than the date the document is transmitted to 
commenting agencies and made available to the public. The Responsible 
Official must comply with any guidelines established by the NEPA 
Official for the filing system process and comply with 40 CFR 1506.9 
and 1506.10. The review periods are computed through the filing system 
process and published in the Federal Register in the Notice of 
Availability.
    (b) The Responsible Official may request that the NEPA Official 
extend the review periods for an EIS. The NEPA Official will publish 
notice of an extension of the review period in the Federal Register and 
notify the CEQ.

Sec.  6.210  Emergency circumstances.

    If emergency circumstances make it necessary to take an action that 
has a significant environmental impact without observing the provisions 
of subparts A through C of this part that are required by the CEQ 
Regulations, the Responsible Official must consult with the NEPA 
Official at the earliest possible time. Consistent with 40 CFR 1506.11, 
the Responsible Official and the NEPA Official should consult with CEQ 
about alternative arrangements at the earliest opportunity. Actions 
taken without observing the provisions of subparts A through C of this 
part will be limited to actions necessary to control the immediate 
impacts of the emergency; other actions remain subject to the 
environmental review process.

Subpart C--Requirements for Environmental Information Documents and 
Third-Party Agreements for EPA Actions Subject to NEPA

Sec.  6.300  Applicability.

    (a) This section applies to actions that involve applications to 
EPA for permits or assistance agreements.
    (b) The Responsible Official is responsible for the environmental 
review process on EPA's action (that is, issuing the permit or awarding 
the assistance agreement) with the applicant contributing through 
submission of an EID or a draft EA and supporting documents.
    (c) An applicant is not required to prepare an EID when:
    (1) The action has been categorically excluded or requires the 
preparation of an EIS; or
    (2) The applicant will prepare and submit a draft EA and supporting 
documents.
    (d) The Responsible Official must notify the applicant if EPA will 
not require submission of an EID.

Sec.  6.301  Applicant requirements.

    (a) The applicant must prepare an EID in consultation with the 
Responsible Official, unless the Responsible Official has notified the 
applicant that an EID is not required. The EID must be of sufficient 
scope and content to enable the Responsible Official to prepare an EA 
and FONSI or, if necessary, an EIS and ROD. The applicant must submit 
the EID to the Responsible Official.
    (b) The applicant must consult with the Responsible Official as 
early as possible in the planning process to obtain guidance with 
respect to the appropriate level and scope of environmental information 
required for the EID.
    (c) As part of the EID process, the applicant may consult with 
appropriate federal agencies, state and local governments, federally-
recognized Indian tribes, and other potentially affected parties to 
identify their interests in the project and the environmental issues 
associated with the project.
    (d) The applicant must notify the Responsible Official as early as 
possible of other federal agency, state or local government, or 
federally-recognized Indian tribe requirements related to the project. 
The applicant also must notify the Responsible Official of any private 
entities and organizations affected by the proposed project. (See 40 
CFR 1501.2(d)(2).)
    (e) The applicant must notify the Responsible Official if, during 
EPA's environmental review process, the applicant:
    (1) Changes its plans for the project as originally submitted to 
EPA; and/or
    (2) Changes its schedule for the project from that originally 
submitted to EPA.
    (f) In accordance with Sec.  6.204, where appropriate, the 
applicant may request a categorical exclusion determination by the 
Responsible Official. If requested by the Responsible Official, the 
applicant must submit information to the Responsible Official regarding 
the application of a categorical exclusion to EPA's pending action and 
the applicant's project.

Sec.  6.302  Responsible Official requirements.

    (a) Consistent with 40 CFR 1501.2(d), the Responsible Official must 
ensure early involvement of applicants in the environmental review 
process to identify environmental effects, avoid delays, and resolve 
conflicts.
    (b) The Responsible Official must notify the applicant if a 
determination has been made that the action has been categorically 
excluded, or if EPA needs additional information to support the 
application of a categorical exclusion or if the submitted information 
does not support the application of a categorical exclusion and that an 
EA, or an EIS, will be required.
    (c) When an EID is required for a project, the Responsible Official 
must consult with the applicant and provide the applicant with guidance 
describing the scope and level of environmental information required.
    (1) The Responsible Official must provide guidance on a project-by-
project basis to any applicant seeking such assistance. For major 
categories of actions involving a large number of applicants, the 
Responsible Official may prepare and make available generic guidance 
describing the recommended level and scope of environmental information 
that applicants should provide.
    (2) The Responsible Official must consider the extent to which the 
applicant is capable of providing the required information. The 
Responsible Official may not require the applicant to gather data or 
perform analyses that unnecessarily duplicate either existing data or 
the results of existing analyses available to EPA. The Responsible 
Official must limit the request for environmental information to that 
necessary for the environmental review.
    (d) If, prior to completion of the environmental review for a 
project, the Responsible Official receives notification, that the 
applicant is proposing to or taking an action that would result in 
significant impacts or would limit alternatives, the

[[Page 53670]]

Responsible Official must notify the applicant promptly that EPA will 
take appropriate action to ensure that the objectives and procedures of 
NEPA are achieved (see 40 CFR 1506.1(b)). Such actions may include 
withholding grant funds or denial of permits.
    (e) The Responsible Official must begin the NEPA review as soon as 
possible after receiving the applicant's EID or draft EA. The 
Responsible Official must independently evaluate the information 
submitted and be responsible for its accuracy (see 40 CFR 1506.5).
    (f) At the request of an applicant and at the discretion of the 
Responsible Official, an applicant may prepare an EA or EIS and 
supporting documents or enter into a third-party contract pursuant to 
Sec.  6.303.
    (g) The Responsible Official must review, and take responsibility 
for the completed NEPA documents, before rendering a final decision on 
the proposed action.

Sec.  6.303  Third-party agreements.

    (a) If an EA or EIS is to be prepared for an action subject to 
subparts A through C of this part, the Responsible Official and the 
applicant may enter into an agreement whereby the applicant engages and 
pays for the services of a third-party contractor to prepare an EA or 
EIS and any associated documents for consideration by EPA. In such 
cases, the Responsible Official must approve the qualifications of the 
third-party contractor. The third-party contractor must be selected on 
the basis of ability and absence of any conflict of interest. 
Consistent with 40 CFR 1506.5(c), in consultation with the applicant, 
the Responsible Official shall select the contractor. The Responsible 
Official must provide guidance to the applicant and contractor 
regarding the information to be developed, including the project's 
scope, and guide and participate in the collection, analysis, and 
presentation of the information. The Responsible Official has sole 
authority for final approval of and EA or EIS.
    (1) The applicant must engage and pay for the services of a 
contractor to prepare the EA or EIS and any associated documents 
without using EPA financial assistance (including required match).
    (2) The Responsible Official, in consultation with the applicant, 
must ensure that the contractor is qualified to prepare an EA or EIS, 
and that the substantive terms of the contract specify the information 
to be developed, and the procedures for gathering, analyzing and 
presenting the information.
    (3) The Responsible Official must prepare a disclosure statement 
for the applicant to include in the contract specifying that the 
contractor has no financial or other interest in the outcome of the 
project (see 40 CFR 1506.5(c)).
    (4) The Responsible Official will ensure that the EA or EIS and any 
associated documents contain analyses and conclusions that adequately 
assess the relevant environmental issues.
    (b) In order to make a decision on the action, the Responsible 
Official must independently evaluate the information submitted in the 
EA or EIS and any associated documents, and issue an EA or draft and 
final EIS. After review of, and appropriate changes to, the EA or EIS 
submitted by the applicant, the Responsible Official may accept it as 
EPA's document. The Responsible Official is responsible for the scope, 
accuracy, and contents of the EA or EIS and any associated documents 
(see 40 CFR 1506.5).
    (c) A third-party agreement may not be initiated unless both the 
applicant and the Responsible Official agree to its creation and terms.
    (d) The terms of the contract between the applicant and the third-
party contractor must ensure that the contractor does not have recourse 
to EPA for financial or other claims arising under the contract, and 
that the Responsible Official, or other EPA designee, may give 
technical advice to the contractor.

Subpart D--Assessing the Environmental Effects Abroad of EPA 
Actions

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 4321, note, E.O. 12114, 44 FR 1979, 3 CFR, 
1979 Comp., p. 356.

Sec.  6.400  Purpose and policy.

    (a) Purpose. On January 4, 1979, the President signed Executive 
Order 12114 entitled ``Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal 
Actions.'' The purpose of this Executive Order is to enable responsible 
Federal officials in carrying out or approving major Federal actions 
which affect foreign nations or the global commons to be informed of 
pertinent environmental considerations and to consider fully the 
environmental impacts of the actions undertaken. While based on 
independent authority, this Order furthers the purpose of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and the Marine 
Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) (33 U.S.C. 1401 et 
seq.). It should be noted, however, that in fulfilling its 
responsibilities under Executive Order 12114, EPA shall be guided by 
CEQ regulations only to the extent that they are made expressly 
applicable by this subpart. The procedures set forth below reflect 
EPA's duties and responsibilities as required under the Executive Order 
and satisfy the requirement for issuance of procedures under section 2-
1 of the Executive Order.
    (b) Policy. It shall be the policy of this Agency to carry out the 
purpose and requirements of the Executive Order to the fullest extent 
possible. EPA, within the realm of its expertise, shall work with the 
Department of State and the Council on Environmental Quality to provide 
information to other Federal agencies and foreign nations to heighten 
awareness of and interest in the environment. EPA shall further 
cooperate to the extent possible with Federal agencies to lend special 
expertise and assistance in the preparation of required environmental 
documents under the Executive Order. EPA shall perform environmental 
reviews of activities significantly affecting the global commons and 
foreign nations as required under Executive Order 12114 and as set 
forth under these procedures.

Sec.  6.401  Applicability.

    (a) Administrative actions requiring environmental review. The 
environmental review requirements apply to the activities of EPA as 
follows:
    (1) Major research or demonstration projects which affect the 
global commons or a foreign nation.
    (2) Ocean dumping activities carried out under section 102 of the 
MPRSA which affect the related environment.
    (3) Major permitting or licensing by EPA of facilities which affect 
the global commons or the environment of a foreign nation. This may 
include such actions as the issuance by EPA of hazardous waste 
treatment, storage, or disposal facility permits pursuant to section 
3005 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. 6925), 
NPDES permits pursuant to section 402 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 
1342), and prevention of significant deterioration approvals pursuant 
to Part C of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7470 et seq.)
    (4) Wastewater Treatment Construction Grants Program under section 
201 of the Clean Water Act when activities addressed in the facility 
plan would have environmental effects abroad.
    (5) Other EPA activities as determined by OFA and OIA (see Sec.  
6.406(c)).
    (b) [Reserved].

[[Page 53671]]

Sec.  6.402  Definitions.

    As used in this subpart, environment means the natural and physical 
environment and excludes social, economic and other environments; 
global commons is that area (land, air, water) outside the jurisdiction 
of any nation; and responsible official is either the EPA Assistant 
Administrator or Regional Administrator as appropriate for the 
particular EPA program. Also, an action significantly affects the 
environment if it does significant harm to the environment even though 
on balance the action may be beneficial to the environment. To the 
extent applicable, the responsible official shall address the 
considerations set forth in the CEQ regulations under 40 CFR 1508.27 in 
determining significant effect.

Sec.  6.403  Environmental review and assessment requirements.

    (a) Research and demonstration projects. The appropriate Assistant 
Administrator is responsible for performing the necessary degree of 
environmental review on research and demonstration projects undertaken 
by EPA. If the research or demonstration project affects the 
environment of the global commons, the applicant shall prepare an 
environmental analysis. This will assist the responsible official in 
determining whether an EIS is necessary. If it is determined that the 
action significantly affects the environment of the global commons, 
then an EIS shall be prepared. If the undertaking significantly affects 
a foreign nation EPA shall prepare a unilateral, bilateral or 
multilateral environmental study. EPA shall afford the affected foreign 
nation or international body or organization an opportunity to 
participate in this study. This environmental study shall discuss the 
need for the action, analyze the environmental impact of the various 
alternatives considered and list the agencies and other parties 
consulted.
    (b) Ocean dumping activities. (1) The Assistant Administrator for 
Water shall ensure the preparation of appropriate environmental 
documents relating to ocean dumping activities in the global commons 
under section 102 of the MPRSA. For ocean dumping site designations 
prescribed pursuant to section 102(c) of the MPRSA and 40 CFR part 228, 
and for the establishment or revision of criteria under section 102(a) 
of the MPRSA, EPA shall prepare appropriate environmental documents 
consistent with EPA's Notice of Policy and Procedures for Voluntary 
Preparation of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Documents dated 
October 29, 1998.
    (2) For individual permits issued by EPA under section 102(b) an 
environmental assessment shall be made by EPA. Pursuant to 40 CFR part 
221, the permit applicant shall submit with the application an 
environmental analysis which includes a discussion of the need for the 
action, an outline of alternatives, and an analysis of the 
environmental impact of the proposed action and alternatives consistent 
with the EPA criteria established under section 102(a) of MPRSA. The 
information submitted under 40 CFR part 221 shall be sufficient to 
satisfy the environmental assessment requirement.
    (c) EPA permitting and licensing activities. The appropriate 
Regional Administrator is responsible for conducting concise 
environmental reviews with regard to permits issued under section 3005 
of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA permits), section 
402 of the Clean Water Act (NPDES permits), and section 165 of the 
Clean Air Act (PSD permits), for such actions undertaken by EPA which 
affect the global commons or foreign nations. The information submitted 
by applicants for such permits or approvals under the applicable 
consolidated permit regulations (40 CFR parts 122 and 124) and 
Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) regulations (40 CFR part 
52) shall satisfy the environmental document requirement under Section 
2-4(b) of Executive Order 12114. Compliance with applicable 
requirements in part 124 of the consolidated permit regulations (40 CFR 
part 124) shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements to conduct a 
concise environmental review for permits subject to this paragraph.
    (d) Wastewater treatment facility planning. 40 CFR part 6, subparts 
A through C, detail the environmental review process for the facilities 
planning process under the wastewater treatment works construction 
grants program. For the purpose of these regulations, the facility plan 
shall also include a concise environmental review of those activities 
that would have environmental effects abroad. This shall apply only to 
the Step 1 grants awarded after January 14, 1981, but on or before 
December 29, 1981, and facilities plans developed after December 29, 
1981. Where water quality impacts identified in a facility plan are the 
subject of water quality agreements with Canada or Mexico, nothing in 
these regulations shall impose on the facility planning process 
coordination and consultation requirements in addition to those 
required by such agreements.
    (e) Review by other Federal agencies and other appropriate 
officials. The responsible officials shall consult with other Federal 
agencies with relevant expertise during the preparation of the 
environmental document. As soon as feasible after preparation of the 
environmental document, the responsible official shall make the 
document available to the Council on Environmental Quality, Department 
of State, and other appropriate officials. The responsible official 
with assistance from OIA shall work with the Department of State to 
establish procedures for communicating with and making documents 
available to foreign nations and international organizations.

Sec.  6.404  Lead or cooperating agency.

    (a) Lead Agency. Section 3-3 of Executive Order 12114 requires the 
creation of a lead agency whenever an action involves more than one 
Federal agency. In implementing section 3-3, EPA shall, to the fullest 
extent possible, follow the guidance for the selection of a lead agency 
contained in 40 CFR 1501.5 of the CEQ regulations.
    (b) Cooperating Agency. Under Section 2-4(d) of the Executive 
Order, Federal agencies with special expertise are encouraged to 
provide appropriate resources to the agency preparing environmental 
documents in order to avoid duplication of resources. In working with a 
lead agency, EPA shall to the fullest extent possible serve as a 
cooperating agency in accordance with 40 CFR 1501.6. When other program 
commitments preclude the degree of involvement requested by the lead 
agency, the responsible EPA official shall so inform the lead agency in 
writing.

Sec.  6.405  Exemptions and considerations.

    Under section 2-5 (b) and (c) of the Executive Order, Federal 
agencies may provide for modifications in the contents, timing and 
availability of documents or exemptions from certain requirements for 
the environmental review and assessment. The responsible official, in 
consultation with the Director, Office of Federal Activities (OFA), and 
the Assistant Administrator, Office of International Affairs (OIA), may 
approve modifications for situations described in section 2-5(b). The 
responsible official, in consultation with the Director, OFA and 
Assistant Administrator, OIA, shall obtain exemptions from the 
Administrator for situations described in section 2-5(c). The 
Department of State and the Council on Environmental Quality shall be 
consulted as soon as possible on the utilization of such exemptions.

[[Page 53672]]

Sec.  6.406  Implementation.

    (a) Oversight. OFA is responsible for overseeing the implementation 
of these procedures and shall consult with OIA wherever appropriate. 
OIA shall be utilized for making formal contacts with the Department of 
State. OFA shall assist the responsible officials in carrying out their 
responsibilities under these procedures.
    (b) Information exchange. OFA with the aid of OIA, shall assist the 
Department of State and the Council on Environmental Quality in 
developing the informational exchange on environmental review 
activities with foreign nations.
    (c) Unidentified activities. The responsible official shall consult 
with OFA and OIA to establish the type of environmental review or 
document appropriate for any new EPA activities or requirements imposed 
upon EPA by statute, international agreement or other agreements.

[FR Doc. E7-18053 Filed 9-18-07; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560-50-P