[Federal Register: October 28, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 208)] [Notices] [Page 57664] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr28oc98-52] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [Docket No. 980817219-8219-01] RIN 0648-AL58 Revised NOAA Procedures Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of Availability; proposed revised environmental review procedures for NOAA. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of proposed revised environmental review procedures for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The proposed revisions will update the agency's procedures published in 1984, based on changing Agency direction, laws, and public concerns. The revisions reflect new initiatives and mandates for NOAA, particularly involving the Magnuson- Stevens Act, Endangered Species Act, and Marine Mammal Protection Act. The revisions provide information on preparing NEPA documents and streamlining of NEPA and other analyses or documents within NOAA. DATES: Comments must be received no later than December 14, 1998. ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent to: Susan Fruchter, Acting NEPA Coordinator, Office of Policy and Strategic Planning, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Room 5805. Herbert C. Hoover Building, Department of Commerce, Washington, DC, 20230. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Archambault or Ramona Schreiber, Office of Policy and Strategic Planning, 202-482-5181. A copy of the proposed revised NOAA Administrative Order (NAO) 216-6 is available from the above contact or via the Internet at: http://www.rdc.noaa.gov/ foia/adrian.html under ``Policies and Administrative Manuals that Affect the Public''; ``Notices, Proposed Rules and Final Rules''. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NOAA's existing environmental review procedures for implementing NEPA appear in NAO 216-6. These procedures are consistent with the Council on Environmental Quality's regulations for implementing NEPA. These procedures were last revised in 1991. A copy of that version is available at http://www.rdc.noaa.gov/ nao/216-6.html. The proposed revisions are administrative and procedural improvements intended to enhance NOAA's ability to comply with a variety of legislative mandates and Executive Orders without unnecessarily delaying and duplicating steps in the decisionmaking process while ensuring public involvement in decisionmaking. These improvements will result in a better understanding of agency roles and responsibilities relative to NEPA. Notable changes in this version of NAO-216-6 include: reorganization of the document such that users can review the general requirements for preparing NEPA documents, as well as specific guidance on NEPA requirements for particular programs and activities within NOAA; incorporation of new policies and procedures to streamline and improve NOAA's NEPA compliance; specific guidance for NOAA's NEPA responsibilities under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, and Oil Pollution Act; and incorporation of NOAA's requirements under E.O. 12898 issued on February 11, 1994, for Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations; and guidance on NOAA facilities and construction projects. This document is available by request through the contact identified above (see ADDRESSES) as well as via the Internet at: http:/ /www.rdc.noaa.gov/foia/adrian.html under ``Policies and Administrative Manuals that Affect the Public''; ``Notices, Proposed Rules and Final Rules''. Classification It was determined that this procedural rule is not significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866. The Assistant General Counsel for Legislation and Regulation certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy, Small Business Administration, that this rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities because it is a procedural rule, and it will have no economic impact on entities. Therefore, a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is not required and was not prepared. Dated: October 21, 1998. Susan Fruchter, Director, Office of Policy and Strategic Planning, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. [FR Doc. 98-28801 Filed 10-27-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-12-P