95-15078. National Environmental Policy Act: Agency Procedures for Categorical Exclusions

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 118 (Tuesday, June 20, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32197-32198]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-15078]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[CGD 95-047]


National Environmental Policy Act: Agency Procedures for 
Categorical Exclusions

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of agency policy.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is announcing two changes in its policy 
concerning agency actions that are categorically excluded from 
additional environmental analysis under the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA). One change concerns the need for an environmental 
analysis checklist in the development of drawbridge regulations and 
procedures. The other change concerns permits for sailing competitions 
and demonstrations.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. David Reese, Environmental Compliance and Restoration Branch, (202) 
267-1942.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Under regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA) (40 CFR parts 1500 through 1508), each Federal agency is 
required to adopt procedures to supplement those regulations (40 CFR 
1507.3). The Coast Guard's procedures and policies are published as a 
Commandant instruction entitled ``National Environmental Policy Act 
Implementing Procedures and Policy for Considering Environmental 
Impacts'' (COMDTINST M1675.1B). On July 29, 1994, the Coast Guard 
published a notice in the Federal Register (59 FR 38654) announcing the 
revision of section 2.B.2 of the instruction. Section 2.B.2 lists the 
proposed agency actions that are categorically excluded from the 
requirement that the actions undergo the analysis that accompanies 
preparation of an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact 
Statement.

Discussion of Changes

    (1) The Coast Guard has determined that the requirement under 
section 2.B.2.e.(32)(e) of COMDTINST M16475.1B (as published in 59 FR 
38658; July 29, 1994) to prepare an environmental analysis checklist 
should not apply to the promulgation of operating regulations or 
procedures for drawbridges. A checklist is an internal administrative 
document devised by the Coast Guard to assist in analyzing agency 
actions that might have a significant effect on the human environment. 
After numerous cases, the Coast Guard has found that these actions are 
not likely to have a significant effect on the human environment. 
Therefore, the Coast Guard is removing the words ``(Checklist 
required).'' from section 2.B.2.e.(32)(e). This removal has no affect 
on the Coast Guard's responsibility to consider the effects of its 
actions on the human environment.
    (2) Section 2.B.2.e.(35)(c) is corrected to refer to sailing 
competitions or demonstrations involving approximately ``100 sailboats 
or sailboards,'' not ``100 sailboats or sailboats.''
    For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard announces 
the following amendments to section 2.B.2.e. of COMDTINST M 16475.1B:
    2.B.2.e. Categorical Exclusion List
    (32) * * *
* * * * *
    (e) Promulgation of operating regulations or procedures for 
drawbridges.
* * * * *
    (35) * * *
* * * * *
    (c) Sailing competitions or demonstrations involving approximately 
100 sailboats (up to approximately 26 feet in length) or sailboards and 
not more than approximately 200 spectator craft.
* * * * * [[Page 32198]] 
    Dated: June 13, 1995.
E. J. Barrett,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Office of Engineering, Logistics 
and Development.
[FR Doc. 95-15078 Filed 6-19-95; 8:45 am]
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