National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) - Department of Homeland Security Implementing Procedures

This page contains the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) procedures to implement the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and supporting information. NEPA directs federal agencies to analyze, disclose, and consider the potential for impacts to the quality of the human environment in the planning and development of proposed actions.

NEPA established the President's Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), whose regulations establish general procedures for NEPA compliance that apply to all federal agencies. CEQ’s regulations require individual federal agencies to establish more specific procedures for their particular mission activities.

The requirements in the Directive place particular emphasis on the role of the DHS project proponent to ensure that environmental stewardship requirements are appropriately integrated into the performance of the Homeland Security mission. The Directive also includes special considerations for intergovernmental coordination, public involvement, dispute resolution, handling of sensitive information, and emergency procedures in Department decision making.

Background and Supporting Information

• Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) conformance letter (March 23, 2006)
• Public Comments (2004)
• Federal Register Notice for the Draft Directive (June 14, 2004)
• Federal Register Notice to reopen comment period (July 16, 2004)
• Federal Register Notice for the Final Directive (April 4, 2006)
• Categorical Exclusions Administrative Record (2006)
• DHS Directive 023-01, Rev 01 "Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act" (effective March 26, 2015)
• Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev 01 "Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act" (effective March 26, 2015)
• DHS Synopsis of Administrative Record to Support Proposed New Categorical Exclusions under the National Environmental Policy Act (December 2014)