Department of the
Interior
Departmental Manual
Effective Date: 5/27/04
Series: Environmental
Quality Programs
Part 516: National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969
Chapter 9: Managing the NEPA Process--U.S. Geological
Survey
Originating Office: U.S. Geological Survey
516 DM 9
9.1 Purpose. This Chapter
provides supplementary requirements for implementing provisions of 516 DM 1
through 6 within the Department’s U.S. Geological Survey. This Chapter is referenced in 516 DM 6.5.
9.2 NEPA Responsibility.
A. The
Director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is responsible for National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance for USGS activities.
B. The
Assistant Director for Engineering Geology produces policy guidance, direction
and oversight for environmental activities including implementation of NEPA,
and approves Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) prepared by the USGS. The Assistant Director is also responsible
for approving USGS reviews of environmental documents, regulations or rules proposed
by other agencies.
C. The
Chief, Environmental Affairs Program (Reston, VA), is the focal point for NEPA
matters and develops NEPA-related policy and guidance for the USGS. The Chief is responsible for: assuring the
quality control of USGS environmental documents; monitoring USGS-wide
activities to ensure NEPA compliance, reviewing and commenting on other
bureaus' and agencies' environmental documents; managing the assignment of USGS
personnel to assist other agencies in developing ElSs; and assisting in the
performance of specialized studies to support environmental analyses. Information about USGS environmental
documents or the NEPA process can be obtained by contacting the Environmental
Affairs Program.
D. The
Chiefs of the Divisions or Independent Offices are responsible within their
respective organizations for ensuring compliance with NEPA and applicable
consultation requirements.
9.3 Guidance to Applicants. Because
the USGS does not have any regulatory responsibilities in this area, the USGS
has no applicable programs requiring guidance to applicants.
9.4 Actions Normally Requiring an EIS or
Environmental Assessment (EA).
A. Approval
of construction of major new USGS research centers or test facilities normally
will require the preparation of an EIS.
B. An
EA will be prepared to aid in deciding whether a finding of no significant
impact is appropriate, or whether an EIS is required prior to implementing any
action. The EA will be prepared in
accordance with guidance provided in 516 DM 3.1. Specifically, an EA is required for all
actions which are: (a) not categorically
excluded; (b) listed as exceptions to the Departmental categorical exclusions
in 516 DM 2, Appendix 2; (c) not being addressed by an EIS.
9.5 Categorical Exclusions. In
addition to the actions listed in the Departmental categorical exclusions
specified in Appendix 1 of 516 DM 2, many of which the USGS also performs, the
following USGS actions are designated categorical exclusions unless the action
qualifies as an exemption from the Department's categorical exclusions under
Appendix 2 of 516 DM 2. The exclusions
shall apply to internal program initiatives performed in the United States and
its Trust Territories and Possessions, including Federal lands and the Outer Continental
Shelf (OCS).
A. Topographic,
land use and land cover, geological, mineralogic, resources evaluation, and
hydrologic mapping activities, including aerial topographic surveying,
photography, and geophysical surveying.
B. Collation
of data and samples for geologic, paleontologic, hydrologic, mineralogic,
geochemical and surface or subsurface geophysical investigations, and resource
evaluation, including contracts therefor.
C. Acquisition
of existing geological, hydrological or geophysical data from private
exploration ventures.
D. Well
logging, aquifer response testing, digital modeling, inventory of existing
wells and water supplies, water-sample collection.
E. Operation,
construction and installation of: (a)
Water-level or water quality recording devices in wells; (b) pumps in wells;
(c) surface-water flow measuring equipment such as weirs and stream-gaging stations, and (d) telemetry systems, including
contracts therefor.
F. Routine
exploratory or observation groundwater well drilling operations which do not
require a special access road, and which use portable tanks to recycle and
remove drilling mud, and create no significant surface disturbance.
G. Test
or exploration drilling and downhole testing, including contracts therefor.
H. Establishment
of survey marks, placement and operation of field instruments, and installation
of any research/monitoring devices.
I. Digging
of exploratory trenches requiring less than 20 cubic yards of excavation.
J. Establishment
of seasonal and temporary field camps.
K. Off-road
travel to drilling, data collection or observation sites which does not impact
ecologically sensitive areas such as wilderness areas, wetlands, or areas of
critical habitat for listed endangered or threatened species.
L. Hydraulic
fracturing of rock formations for the singular purpose of in situ stress
measurements.
M. Reports
to Surface Management Agencies, or any State, Territorial, Commonwealth or
Federal Agencies concerning mineral and water resources appraisals.
N. Other
actions where USGS has concurrence or coapproval with another Department of the
Interior bureau and the action is a categorical exclusion for that bureau.
O. Minor,
routine, or preventive maintenance activities at USGS facilities and lands, and
geological, hydrological, or geophysical data collection stations.
P. Minor
activities required to gain or prepare access to sites selected for completion
of exploration drilling operations or construction of stations for hydrologic,
geologic, or geophysical data collection.