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National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Policies & Guidance
For additional policies and guidance regarding NEPA, we recommend that
you visit the Council on Environmental Quality's NEPA website. 
You will need Adobe Reader to view some of the files on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more.
• Air Quality
• Children's Health
• Crude Oil and Natural Gas
• Cumulative Impacts
• Ecological Processes/Impacts
• Energy Efficiency
• EIS Filing System
• Environmental Justice
• Fishery Management
• Floodplain Management and Wetlands
• Grazing
• Habitat
• Highway Development
• Mining
• Natural Gas Pipelines
• Nuclear Power Plants
• Policies and Procedures
• Pollution Prevention
• Special Appropriation Grants
Air Quality
- Air Quality Analyses and Mitigation For Federal Oil and Gas Decisions Through the NEPA Process, MOU (June, 2011) (PDF) (27 pp, 1.7 MB)
This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) sets forth expectations and agreements for addressing air quality analyses and mitigation measures through the NEPA process related to Federal oil and gas planning, leasing, or field development decisions. This MOU is signed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
- Using the MOVES and EMFAC Emissions Models in NEPA Evaluations (February, 2011) (PDF) (3 pp, 679K)
Information on modeling for assessing criteria air pollutant impacts
- Reflecting the Revised PM 2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard in NEPA Evaluations (June, 2007) (PDF) (2 pp, 98K)
Information on how to reflect the revised PM 2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard in NEPA Evaluations
Children's Health
- Interim OFA Program Guidance on Implementing the EPA Policy on Evaluating Health Risks to Children (April, 1996) (PDF) (3 pp, 360K)
Guidance regarding the evaluation of health risks to children in the NEPA process
Crude Oil and Natural Gas
- Background for NEPA Reviewers: Crude Oil and Natural Gas Exploration, Development, And Production (June, 1992) (PDF) (102 pp, 6.5MB)
Information to assist EPA staff in reviewing NEPA documents regarding oil and gas exploration, development and production on federal lands
Cumulative Impacts
- Consideration Of Cumulative Impacts In EPA Review of NEPA Documents (May, 1999) (PDF) (22 pp, 105K)
Guidance to assist EPA reviewers of NEPA documents in providing accurate, realistic, and consistent comments on the assessment of cumulative impacts
Ecological Processes/Impacts
- Considering Ecological Processes in Environmental Impact Assessments (July, 1999) (PDF) (90 pp, 500K)
Guidance on how to incorporate ecological considerations into the preparation and review of environmental impact assessments - Evaluation of Ecological Impacts from Highway Development (April, 1994) (PDF) (74 pp, 5.3MB)
Guidance for the analysis of ecological impacts from highway development activities and the evaluation of related ecosystem mitigation measures
Energy Efficiency
- Energy Efficiency Reference for Environmental Reviewers (March 2010) (PDF) (254 pp, 3.5MB)
Background information on federal energy efficiency legislation, policies, guidance and programs, as well as current energy efficiency technologies, standards, and products - Energy Efficiency Reference for Environmental Reviewers (November, 1994) (PDF) (49 pp, 4.5MB)
Information on how to promote energy efficiency as part of the NEPA review process
EIS Filing System
- Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Filing System Guidance (January, 2011) (PDF) (3 pp, 72K)
Information for Federal agencies regarding the administrative aspects of the EIS filing process. EPA is considering additional modifications that may lead to the implementation of an electronic EIS filing process. EPA is soliciting comments from Federal agencies, other stakeholders and the public. Comments must be submitted by February 28, 2011.
Environmental Justice
- Final Guidance for Consideration of Environmental Justice in Clean Air Act 309 Reviews (July, 1999) (PDF) (34 pp, 135K)
Guidance for reviewing and commenting on NEPA documents prepared by other federal agencies to help ensure that environmental effects on minority communities and low-income communities have been fully analyzed - Final Guidance For Incorporating Environmental Justice Concerns in EPA's NEPA Compliance Analyses (April, 1998) (PDF) (76 pp, 305K)
Guidance on how EPA can incorporate environmental justice goals into its own preparation of EISs and Environmental Assessments (EAs) under NEPA - Addressing Environmental Justice through Reviews Conducted Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Section 309 of the Clean Air Act (April, 2011) (PDF) (3 pp, 814K)
Memorandum from the EPA Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance concerning efforts to enhance the consideration of environmental justice issues in EPA's NEPA reviews
Fishery Management
- Reviewing Environmental Impact Statements for Fishery Management Plans (September, 2005) (PDF) (234 pp, 2.6MB)
Guidance for EPA reviewers responsible for the review of Draft and Final EIS prepared for Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) and FMP Amendments by the National Marine Fisheries Service
Floodplain Management and Wetlands
- Statement of Procedures on Floodplain Management and Wetlands Protection (January, 1979) (PDF) (7 pp, 43K)
The purpose of this Statement of Procedures is to set forth Agency policy and guidance for carrying out the provisions of Executive Orders 11988 ("Floodplain Management") and 11990 ("Wetlands Protection").
Grazing
- Background for NEPA Reviewers: Grazing on Federal Lands (February, 1994) (PDF) (43 pp, 3.8MB)
Guidance to assist EPA reviewers in providing comments on NEPA documents concerning grazing on federal lands
Habitat
- Habitat Evaluation: Guidance for the Review of Environmental Impact Assessment Documents (January, 1993) (PDF) (133 pp, 9.4MB)
Information to assist EPA NEPA reviewers in evaluating the ecological risks associated with federal actions and writing NEPA comments related to habitat loss and degradation issues.
Highway Development
- Evaluation of Ecological Impacts from Highway Development (April, 1994) (PDF) (74 pp, 5.3MB)
Guidance for the analysis of ecological impacts from highway development activities and the evaluation of related ecosystem mitigation measures
Mining
- Background for NEPA Reviewers: Non-Coal Mining Operations (December, 1994) (PDF) (68 pp, 530K)
Information to assist reviewers in providing comments on NEPA documents for non-coal mining activities proposed on Federal lands
Natural Gas Pipelines
- Interagency Agreement on Early Coordination of Environmental Reviews of Natural Gas
Pipelines (May, 2002) (PDF) (25 pp, 560K)
Provides a framework for early cooperation and participation among federal agencies to enhance coordination of the processes through which environmental reviews under NEPA and other related statutes are met in connection with the authorizations that are required to construct and operate interstate natural gas pipeline projects.
Nuclear Power Plants
- §309 Reviewers Guidance for New Nuclear Power Plant Environmental Impact Statements (September, 2008) (PDF) (288 pp, 1.6MB)
Provides background information to EPA staff who review and comment on National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents prepared by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), in accordance with EPA’s responsibilities for environmental review under §309 of the Clean Air Act.
Policies and Procedures
- Policy and Procedures
for the Review of Federal Actions Impacting the Environment
(October, 1984) (PDF) (35 pp, 170K)
This manual establishes policies and procedures for carrying out EPA's responsibilities to review and comment on federal actions affecting the quality of the environment.
Pollution Prevention
- Pollution Prevention - Environmental Impact Reduction Checklists for NEPA/309 Reviewers (January, 1995) (PDF) (187 pp, 1.3MB)
Guidance on incorporating pollution prevention into each step of the environmental review process, including scoping, mitigation, monitoring, and enforcement - Guidance on Incorporating EPA's Pollution Prevention Strategy into the Environmental Review Process (February, 1993) (PDF) (19 pp, 1.0MB)
Provides information on how to incorporate pollution prevention into the NEPA review process.
Special Appropriation Grants
- Environmental Review Guide for Special Appropriation Grants (April, 2008) (PDF) (171 pp, 3.5MB)
This handbook is to help grant applicants (i.e., applicants who are applying for project funds that were authorized by Congress and for which the grant authority is the Agency’s annual appropriations acts) understand the environmental review process required under NEPA, as well as how to assist EPA during this review.
Air Quality Analyses and Mitigation For Federal Oil and Gas Decisions Through the NEPA Process, MOU (June, 2011) (PDF) (17 pp, 1.5 MB)
This Memorandum of Understanding sets forth expectations and agreements for addressing air quality analyses and mitigation measures through the NEPA process related to Federal oil and gas planning, leasing, or field development decisions. This MOU is signed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
- Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Filing System Guidance (January, 2011)
Information for Federal agencies regarding the administrative aspects of the EIS filing process
- Energy Efficiency Reference for Environmental Reviewers (March 2010) (PDF) (254 pp, 3.5MB)
Background information on federal energy efficiency legislation, policies, guidance and programs, as well as current energy efficiency technologies, standards, and products
- §309 Reviewers Guidance for New Nuclear Power Plant Environmental Impact Statements (September, 2008) (PDF) (288 pp, 1.6MB)
Provides background information to EPA staff who review and comment on National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents prepared by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), in accordance with EPA’s responsibilities for environmental review under §309 of the Clean Air Act. - Environmental Review Guide for Special Appropriation Grants (April, 2008) (PDF) (171 pp, 3.5MB)
This handbook is to help grant applicants (i.e., applicants who are applying for project funds that were authorized by Congress and for which the grant authority is the Agency’s annual appropriations acts) understand the environmental review process required under NEPA, as well as how to assist EPA during this review. - Reflecting the Revised PM 2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard in NEPA Evaluations (June, 2007) (PDF) (2 pp, 98K)
Information on how to reflect the revised PM 2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard in NEPA Evaluations - Reviewing Environmental Impact Statements for Fishery Management Plans (September, 2005) (PDF) (234 pp, 2.6MB)
Guidance for EPA reviewers responsible for the review of Draft and Final EISs prepared for Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) and FMP Amendments by the National Marine Fisheries Service - Interagency Agreement on Early Coordination of Environmental Reviews of Natural Gas Pipelines (May, 2002) (PDF) (25 pp, 560K)
Provides a framework for early cooperation and participation among federal agencies to enhance coordination of the processes through which environmental reviews under NEPA and other related statutes are met in connection with the authorizations that are required to construct and operate interstate natural gas pipeline projects. - Considering Ecological Processes in Environmental Impact Assessments (July, 1999) (PDF) (90 pp, 500K)
- Final Guidance for Consideration of Environmental Justice in Clean Air Act 309 Reviews (July, 1999) (PDF) (34 pp, 135K)
Guidance for reviewing and commenting on NEPA documents prepared by other federal agencies to help ensure that environmental effects on minority communities and low-income communities have been fully analyzed - Consideration Of Cumulative Impacts In EPA Review of NEPA Documents (May, 1999) (PDF) (22 pp, 105K)
Guidance to assist EPA reviewers of NEPA documents in providing accurate, realistic, and consistent comments on the assessment of cumulative impacts - Final Guidance For Incorporating Environmental Justice Concerns in EPA's NEPA Compliance Analyses (April, 1998) (PDF) (76 pp, 305K)
Guidance on how EPA can incorporate environmental justice goals into its own preparation of EISs and Environmental Assessments (EAs) under NEPA - Interim OFA Program Guidance on Implementing the EPA Policy on Evaluating Health Risks to Children (April, 1996) (PDF) (3 pp, 360K)
Guidance regarding the evaluation of health risks to children in the NEPA process - Pollution Prevention - Environmental Impact Reduction Checklists for NEPA/309 Reviewers (January, 1995) (PDF) (187 pp, 1.3MB)
Guidance on incorporating pollution prevention into each step of the environmental review process, including scoping, mitigation, monitoring, and enforcement - Background for NEPA Reviewers: Non-Coal Mining Operations (December, 1994) (PDF) (68 pp, 530K)
Information to assist reviewers in providing comments on NEPA documents for non-coal mining activities proposed on Federal lands - Energy Efficiency Reference for Environmental Reviewers (November, 1994) (PDF) (49 pp, 4.5MB)
Information on how to promote energy efficiency as part of the NEPA review process - Evaluation of Ecological Impacts from Highway Developments (April, 1994) (PDF) (74 pp, 5.3MB)
Guidance for the analysis of ecological impacts from highway development activities and the evaluation of related ecosystem mitigation measures - Background for NEPA Reviewers: Grazing on Federal Lands (February, 1994) (PDF) (43 pp, 3.8MB)
Guidance to assist EPA reviewers in providing comments on NEPA documents concerning grazing on federal lands - Guidance on Incorporating EPA's Pollution Prevention Strategy into the Environmental Review Process (February, 1993) (PDF) (19 pp, 1.0MB)
Provides information on how to incorporate pollution prevention into the NEPA review process. - Habitat Evaluation: Guidance for the Review of Environmental Impact Assessment Documents (January, 1993) (PDF) (133 pp, 9.4MB)
Information to assist EPA NEPA reviewers in evaluating the ecological risks associated with federal actions and writing NEPA comments related to habitat loss and degradation issues - Background for NEPA Reviewers: Crude Oil and Natural Gas Exploration, Development, And Production (June, 1992) (PDF) (102 pp, 6.5MB)
Information to assist EPA staff in reviewing NEPA documents regarding oil and gas exploration, development and production on federal lands
- Policy and Procedures for the Review of Federal Actions Impacting the Environment (October, 1984) (PDF) (35 pp, 170K)
This manual establishes policies and procedures for carrying out EPA's responsibilities to review and comment on federal actions affecting the quality of the environment. - Statement of Procedures on Floodplain Management and Wetlands Protection (January, 1979) (PDF) (7 pp, 43K)
The purpose of this Statement of Procedures is to set forth Agency policy and guidance for carrying out the provisions of Executive Orders 11988 ("Floodplain Management") and 11990 ("Wetlands Protection").