2 Ceq Regulations

7/31/2019 2 Ceq Regulations

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COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY REGULATIONS

Many key concepts were included in CEQ regulations which became effective in 1979 In May 1986,CEQ regulations were amended to clarify how agencies should do

environemental evaluation if the information is incomplete or unavailable

What is the fundamental premise of CEQ regulations--EIA process should be applied at the early project planning stage is the fundamentalpremise of CEA regulations

According to Asian Development Bank(ADB) what is a PROJECT CYCLE?--project cycle consists of

1. Project identificaton2. Fact-finding preparation3. Preappraisal-appraisal4. Negotiations

5.

Implementation6. Supervision7. Completion8. Post evaluation

Insert diagram on environmental consideration in project cycle

Key feature of the CEQ regulations is the concept of 3 level of analysisLevel 1- determination of categorical exclusion

Level 2- preparation of environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact(FONSI)Level 3-preparation of environmental impact statement

Insert figure for this Federal action : this includes

Adoption of official policy which will result in altering the agency programs

Adoption of formal plansAdoption of programsApproval of specific projects-such as approval of construction or management activities

located in defined geographic areas

Categorical exclusion : It refers to actions which do not individually or cumulatively have a

significant effect on the human environment andWhich have been found to have no such effect in procedures adopted by a federal agency in

implementation of the CEQ regulationsNeither an environmental assessment nor an EIS is required for categorical exclusion

Environmental Assessment: (EA): It is a concise public document that serves to brieflyprovide evidence and analysis for determining whether to prepare an EIS or a FONSI to aidan agencys compliance with the NEPAOr to facilitate preparation of an EIS when one is necessary

FONSI: It is a document by a federal agency which concisely presents the reasons why anaction not otherwise excluded will not have a significant effect on the human environment

and for which an EIS will not be prepared.


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Mitigated FONSI: A proposed action which has incorporated mitigation measures to reduceany significant negative effects to insignificant ones.Significant impact: any action which significantly affects the human environment requires anEIS. Significantly as used in NEPA requires consideration of both context and intensity.

EIS:1. EIS is a detailed written statement which serves as an action-forcing device to

ensure that the policies and goals defined in the NEPA are infused into the ongoingprograms and actions of the federal government.

2. It must provide full and fair discussion of significant environmental impacts andmust inform decision makers and the public of the reasonable alternatives whichwould avoid or minimize adverse impacts or enhance the quality of the human

environment3. EIS is more than a disclosure document it must be used by federal officials in

conjunction with other relevant material to plan actions and make decisions.

MASAQHE: Major Action Significantly Affecting the Quality of Human EnvironmentIf significant effects are anticipated then an EIS is to be preparedIf no significant effects are anticipated, or if they can be mitigated then FONSI is tobe prepared

FONSI was initially referred to as a negative declaration

DRAFT EIS: 1. The draft EIS is the document prepared by the lead agency proposing an

action

2. It is circulated for review and comment to other federal agencies, state andlocal agencies and public and private interest groups

3. Specific requirements with regard to timing of the review are identified inthe CEQ regulations.

4. The agency must make every effort to disclose and discuss at appropriateintervals in the draft statement all major points of view on the

environmental impacts of the alternatives including the proposed action

FINAL EIS:1. The final EIS is the draft EIS modified to include a discussion of problems and

objections raised by the reviewers.2. The final statement must be on file with the EPA for at least a 30-day period

prior to initiation of construction on the project.

SUPPLEMENTAL EIS:

1. Lead agencies are to prepare supplements to either draft of final EISs if the agency makessubstantial changes in the proposed action that are relevant to environmental concerns

2. Or if there are significant new circumstances or information relevant to environmentalconcerns and bearing on the proposed action or its impacts.


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Documents

2 Ceq Regulations