Transcript
Presented‐July 2018 8/10/2018
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Nor th Caro l ina
NEPA & Categorical Exclusions
Photo by David McAdoo.
Jeremy B. Roston (RC‐Conservation Planning Specialist)Ecological Sciences Section
NC USDA‐NRCSArea Technical Transfer Trainings
Presented‐July 2018 8/10/2018
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OBJECTIVES
•Brief Overview on NEPA (Only 4 Slides!)•How NEPA, the Environmental Evaluation, and Conservation Planning process are interconnected•Review NEPA Training Aid (Handout)•Review NC Supplement to NEPA Policy•Reference Additional Resources and Other Available Training Materials
Slide 2
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WHAT IS NEPA?
N
E
P
A
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
“Umbrella” encompassing many other requirements See 7 CFR § 650 and 190 GM Part 410
Slide 3
NEPA provides a mandate and a framework for Federal agencies: To consider all reasonably
foreseeable social, economic, and ecological effects of the proposed actions, and
To involve and inform the public in the decision making process.
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Slide 4
NRCS NEPA PoliciesCompliance with NEPA Policy
(General Manual, Title 190, Part 410)
National Environmental Compliance Handbook(Handbooks, Title 190, Part 610)
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Slide 5
NEPA Process Summarized
1. Document 2. Approve
3. Exit
1. Document2. Exit
Finding of No Significant Effect (FNSI)OR
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
1. Document 2. Approve
3. Exit
Environmental Evaluation (EE)(NRCS-CPA-52)
Analysis & Consultations
Categorical Exclusion (CatEx)?
Programmatic NEPA Document?
Environmental Assessment (EA)
YesYes
No
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Slide 6
NEPA Process Summarized
1. Document 2. Approve
3. Exit
1. Document2. Exit
Finding of No Significant Effect (FNSI)OR
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
1. Document 2. Approve
3. Exit
Environmental Evaluation (EE)(NRCS-CPA-52)
Analysis & Consultations
Categorical Exclusion (CatEx)?
Programmatic NEPA Document?
Environmental Assessment (EA)
YesYes
No
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1. National policy to protect the environment
2. Applies only to federal (Executive Branch) actions
3. Requires consideration of environmental, social and economic factors
4. Requires analysis and justification for decision
5. Does not require selection of most environmentally preferable alternative
6. Imposes procedural, not substantive, requirements
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KEY POINTS ABOUT NEPA
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Slide 8
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT COME TO MIND WHEN WE THINK OF NEPA?
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Step 2 Determine Objectives
Step 1 Identify Problems
Step
3 In
vent
ory
Res
ourc
esSt
ep 4
Ana
lyze
Res
ourc
e D
ata
Step 5 Formulate Alternatives
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Step
3 In
vent
ory
Res
ourc
esSt
ep 4
Ana
lyze
Res
ourc
e D
ata
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Step 6 Evaluate Alternatives
Step 7 Make Decisions
Slide 10
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PLANNING PROCESS CPA-52 CONTENTE. Need for Action
D. Objectives
F/I. Resource Concerns/ Benchmark Conditions
G. Alternatives
H/J. Effects
Q. Finding
1. ID Problems
2. Determine Objectives
3. Inventory Resources
4. Analyze Resources
5. Formulate Alternatives
6. Evaluate Alternatives
7. Make Decisions
8. Implement Plan
9. Evaluate Plan
Slide 11
SUMMARY
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GUIDE TO USING CATEGORICAL EXCLUSIONS (CATEXS)
Next Pages
Exclusion (CatEx) Definition
Things to Know
Using CatExs
Overarching Criteria
Extraordinary Circumstances
Slide 12
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GUIDE TO USING CATEGORICAL EXCLUSIONS (CATEXS)
When Not to Use CatEx
Recommended Protocol for Analysis and Documentation When Using CatEx.USDA Categorical ExclusionsNRCS Categorical ExclusionsNRCS NEPA Documents
ReferencesNC Supplement to NEPA Policy
Slide 13State Supplement
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GUIDE TO USING CATEGORICAL EXCLUSIONS (CATEXS)
NORTH CAROLINA CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION GUIDANCE FOR RFOsGUIDANCE DOCUMENT FOR NC CONSERVATION PRACTICE STANDARDS & CAPs
Slide 14
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES & TRAINING MATERIALS
Slide 15
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Slide 16
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES & TRAINING MATERIALS
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….NEPA COMPLIANCE NEEDED FOR….•Federal, Tribal, State and Local Laws
•Executive Orders
•Agency Policies
•Planners are responsible for documenting the EE analysis on the CPA-52 (Sections A-P)
•RFOs are responsible for determining the outcome of NEPA Compliance using the CPA-52 (Sections Q-S).
•Cannot obligate without documenting a Rationale in the NRCS-CPA-52 (Section R).
•RFOs must tier to a CatEx whenever the proposed action meets the CatEx required conditions and criteria!
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….IN CONCLUSION….
“Clients will make and implement sound decisionsif they understand their resources, problems and opportunities, and effects of their decisions”
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age,
disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental
status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected
genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases
will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) Slide 20
QUESTIONS?Jeremy B. Roston (RC‐Conservation Planning Specialist)
Ecological Sciences SectionNC USDA‐NRCS
Email: Jeremy.roston@nc.usda.govOffice Tel: 919‐873‐2140
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