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Rule2016-034332016-03-02

Environmental Policies and Procedures

Agriculture Department, , Rural Utilities Service, Rural Housing Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Farm Service Agency

Abstract

Rural Development, a mission area within the U.S. Department of Agriculture comprised of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), Rural Housing Service (RHS), and Rural Utilities Service (RUS), hereafter referred to as the Agency, has unified and updated the environmental policies and procedures covering all Agency programs by consolidating two existing Agency regulations that implement the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other applicable environmental requirements. These final rules supplement the regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), the regulations of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation(ACHP), associated environmental statutes, Executive Orders and Departmental Regulations. The majority of the changes to the existing rules relate to the categorical exclusion provisions in the Agency's procedures for implementing NEPA. These changes consolidate the provisions of the Agency's two current NEPA rules, and better conform the Agency's regulations, particularly for those actions listed as categorical exclusions, to the Agency's current activities and recent experiences and to CEQ's Memorandum for Heads of Federal Departments and Agencies entitled "Establishing, Applying, and Revising Categorical Exclusions under the National Environmental Policy Act" issued on November 23, 2010.

Action & Dates

Action
Final rule.
Dates
Effective date: The effective date for the final rule is April 1, 2016.
Effective Date
2016-04-01

CFR References

7 CFR Part 257 CFR Part 17037 CFR Part 17097 CFR Part 17107 CFR Part 17177 CFR Part 17207 CFR Part 17217 CFR Part 17247 CFR Part 17267 CFR Part 17377 CFR Part 17387 CFR Part 17397 CFR Part 17407 CFR Part 17537 CFR Part 17747 CFR Part 17757 CFR Part 17797 CFR Part 17807 CFR Part 17817 CFR Part 17827 CFR Part 17847 CFR Part 17947 CFR Part 19247 CFR Part 19407 CFR Part 19427 CFR Part 19447 CFR Part 19487 CFR Part 19517 CFR Part 19557 CFR Part 19707 CFR Part 19807 CFR Part 35507 CFR Part 35557 CFR Part 35607 CFR Part 35657 CFR Part 35707 CFR Part 35757 CFR Part 42747 CFR Part 42797 CFR Part 42807 CFR Part 42847 CFR Part 42877 CFR Part 42887 CFR Part 4290

Topics

AccountingAdministrative practice and procedureAgedAgricultureAlaskaBiobased productsBroadbandBuildings and facilitiesBusiness and industryCoalCommunicationsCommunications equipmentCommunity developmentCommunity facilitiesCreditElectric powerElectric power ratesElectric utilitiesEnergyEnergy conservationEnvironmental impact statementsEnvironmental protectionFair housingFlood insuranceGovernment procurementGovernment property managementGovernment securitiesGrant programsGrant programs-agricultureGrant programs-businessGrant programs-communicationsGrant programs-educationGrant programs-energyGrant programs-healthGrant programs-housing and community developmentHome improvementHousingHousing standardsIndiansInsuranceIntergovernmental relationsInvestmentsLoan programsLoan programs-agricultureLoan programs-businessLoan programs-communicationsLoan programs-energyLoan programs-housing and community developmentLobbyingLow and moderate income housingManufactured homesMigrant laborMortgage insuranceMortgagesNatural resourcesNonprofit organizationsPublic housingRent subsidiesReporting and recordkeeping requirementsRural areasSecuritiesSewage disposalSmall businessesSurplus Government propertyTelecommunicationsTelephoneTelevisionTransportationUtilitiesWaste treatment and disposalWater pollution controlWater supplyWatersheds

Document Excerpt

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Agriculture Office of the Secretary Rural Utilities Service Rural Housing Service Rural Business-Cooperative Service Rural Utilities Service Farm Service Agency Rural Housing Service Rural Business-Cooperative Service Rural Utilities Service 7 CFR Part 25 7 CFR Parts 1703, 1709, 1710, 1717, 1720, 1721, 1724, 1726, 1737, 1738, 1739, 1740, 1753, 1774, 1775, 1779, 1780, 1781, 1782, 1784, and 1794 7 CFR Parts 1924, 1940, 1942, 1944, 1948, 1951, 1955, 1970, and 1980 7 CFR Parts 3550, 3555, 3560, 3565, 3570, and 3575 7 CFR Parts 4274, 4279, 4280, 4284, 4287, 4288, and 4290 RIN 0575-AC56 AGENCY: Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Housing Service, Rural Utilities Service, Farm Service Agency, USDA. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: Rural Development, a mission area within the U.S. Department of Agriculture comprised of the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), Rural Housing Service (RHS), and Rural Utilities Service (RUS), hereafter referred to as the Agency, has unified and updated the environmental policies and procedures covering all Agency programs by consolidating two existing Agency regulations that implement the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other applicable environmental requirements. These final rules supplement the regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), the regulations of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP), associated environmental statutes, Executive Orders and Departmental Regulations. The majority o…

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Citation: 81 FR 11000

Environmental Policies and Procedures — Federal Register 2016-03433 | Open Gov by Base