,i  #aah? ,,congress  #a/ ,session  ,h4 
,r4 #aegg  ,,9 ,,! ,,h\se ,,(           
,,repres5tatives  ,m>* #ad1 #bjbc,mr4   
,graves ( ,l\isiana introduc$ ! foll[+  
bill2 :i* 0 ref]r$ to ! ,committee on   
,natural ,res\rces  ,a ,,bill  ,to am5d 
! ,national ,environm5tal ,policy ,act (
 #aifi to cl>ify ambigu\s provisions1   
reflect mod]n te*nologies1 optimize     
int]ag5cy coord9ation1 & facilitate a m 
effici5t1 effective1 & timely           
environm5tal review process4  #a4 ,%ort 
title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! ,,build]
 ,act ( #bjbc or ! ,build+ ,unit$ ,/ates
 ,infra/ructure ?r\gh ,limit$ ,delays & 
,effici5t ,reviews ,act ( #bjbc4  #b4   
,national ,environm5tal ,policy ,act (  
#aifi  7a7 ,p>agraph 7#b7 ( section #ajb
 ,section #ajb7b7 ( ! ,national         
,environm5tal ,policy ,act ( #aifi 7#db 
,u4,s4,c4 #dccb7b77 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9   
subp>agraph 7,a71 by /rik+ insure &     
ins]t+ ensure2  7#b7 9 subp>agraph 7,b71
 by /rik+ insure & ins]t+ ensure2  7#c7 
9 subp>agraph 7,c7-- 7,a7 by ins]t+     

consi/5t ) ! provisions ( ?is ,act &    
except z provid$ by o!r provisions (    
law1 be=e include 9 e2  7,b7 by /rik+   
clauses 7i7 ?r\gh 7v7 & ins]t+ ! foll[+3
  7i7 reasonably =eseeable environm5tal 
effects ) a reasonably close causal     
relation%ip to ! propos$ ag5cy action2  
7ii7 any reasonably =eseeable adv]se    
environm5tal effects :i* _c be avoid$   
%\ld ! proposal be implem5t$2  7iii7 a  
reasonable numb] ( alt]natives to !     
propos$ ag5cy action1 includ+ an        
analysis ( any negative environm5tal    
impacts ( n implem5t+ ! propos$ ag5cy   
action 9 ! case ( a no action           
alt]native1 t are te*nically &          
economically feasible1 are )9 !         
jurisdiction ( ! ag5cy1 meet ! purpose &
 ne$ ( ! proposal1 &1 :]e applicable1   
meet ! goals ( ! applicant2  7iv7 !     
relation%ip betwe5 local %ort-t]m uses (
 man's environm5t & ! ma9t5ance &       
enhancem5t ( long-t]m productivity2 &   
7v7 any irrev]sible & irretrievable     
commitm5ts ( ,f$]al res\rces :i* w\ld be

 involv$ 9 ! propos$ ag5cy action %\ld x
 be implem5t$4  2 &  7,c7 by /rik+ !    
responsible ,f$]al (ficial & ins]t+ !   
head ( ! lead ag5cy2  7#d7 9 subp>agraph
 7,d71 by /rik+ ,any & ins]t+ any2  7#e7
 by r$esignat+ subp>agraphs 7,d7 ?r\gh  
7,i7 z subp>agraphs 7,f7 ?r\gh 7,k71    
respectively2  7#f7 by ins]t+ aft]      
subp>agraph 7,c7 ! foll[+3  7,d7 ensure 
! pr(essional integrity1 includ+        
sci5tific integrity1 ( ! discussion &   
analysis 9 an environm5tal docum5t2     
7,e7 make use ( reliable exi/+ data &   
res\rces 9 c>ry+ out ?is ,act2  2  7#g7 
by am5d+ subp>agraph 7,g71 z r$esignat$1
 to read z foll[s3  7,g7 consi/5t ) !   
provisions ( ?is ,act1 /udy1 develop1 & 
describe te*nically & economically      
feasible alt]natives )9 ! jurisdiction &
 au?ority ( ! ag5cy2  2 &  7#h7 9       
subp>agraph 7,h71 z am5d$1 by ins]t+    
consi/5t ) ! provisions ( ?is ,act1 be=e
 recognize4  7b7 ,new sections ,title ,i
 ( ! ,national ,environm5tal ,policy    
,act ( #aifi 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #dcba et    

seq47 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end !       
foll[+3  #ajf4 ,proc$ure = det]m9ation (
 level ( review  7a7 ,?re%old           
det]m9ations ,an ag5cy is n requir$ to  
prep>e an environm5tal docum5t ) respect
 to a propos$ ag5cy action if-- 7#a7 !  
propos$ ag5cy action is n a f9al ag5cy  
action )9 ! mean+ ( su* t]m 9 *apt] #e (
 title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code2  7#b7 ! 
propos$ ag5cy action is cov]$ by a      
categorical exclusion e/abli%$ by !     
ag5cy1 ano!r ,f$]al ag5cy1 or ano!r     
provision ( law2  7#c7 ! prep>ation (   
su* docum5t w\ld cle>ly & fundam5tally  
conflict ) ! requirem5ts ( ano!r        
provision ( law2  7#d7 ! propos$ ag5cy  
action is1 9 :ole or 9 "p1 a            
nondiscretion>y action ) respect to :i* 
su* ag5cy does n h au?ority to take     
environm5tal factors into consid]ation 9
 det]m9+ :e!r to take ! propos$ action2 
7#e7 ! propos$ ag5cy action is a        
rulemak+ t is subject to section #eec ( 
title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code2 or  7#f7 
! propos$ ag5cy action is an action =   

:i* su* ag5cy's compliance ) ano!r      
/atute's requirem5ts s]ve ! same or     
simil> function z ! requirem5ts ( ?is   
,act ) respect to su* action4  7b7      
,levels ( review  7#a7 ,environm5tal    
impact /atem5t ,an ag5cy %all issue an  
environm5tal impact /atem5t ) respect to
 a propos$ ag5cy action t has a         
significant effect on ! quality ( !     
human environm5t4  7#b7 ,environm5tal   
assessm5t ,an ag5cy %all prep>e an      
environm5tal assessm5t ) respect to a   
propos$ ag5cy action t is n likely to h 
a significant effect on ! quality ( !   
human environm5t1 or if ! significance (
 su* effect is unkn[n1 unless ! ag5cy   
f9ds t a categorical exclusion e/abli%$ 
by ! ag5cy1 ano!r ,f$]al ag5cy1 or ano!r
 provision ( law applies4 ,su*          
environm5tal assessm5t %all be a concise
 public docum5t prep>$ by a ,f$]al ag5cy
 to set =? ! basis ( su* ag5cy's f9d+ ( 
no significant impact4  7#c7 ,s\rces (  
in=mation ,9 mak+ a det]m9ation "u ?is  
subsection1 an ag5cy-- 7,a7 may make use

 ( any reliable data s\rce2 &  7,b7 is n
 requir$ to und]take new sci5tific or   
te*nical rese>*4  #ajg4 ,timely & unifi$
 ,f$]al reviews  7a7 ,lead ag5cy  7#a7  
,designation  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,if !re are 
two or m involv$ ,f$]al ag5cies1 su*    
ag5cies %all det]m9e1 by lett] or       
memor&um1 :i* ag5cy %all be ! lead ag5cy
 bas$ on consid]ation ( ! foll[+        
factors3 7i7 ,magnitude ( ag5cy's       
involvem5t4  7ii7 ,project approval or  
disapproval au?ority4  7iii7 ,exp]tise  
conc]n+ ! action's environm5tal effects4
  7iv7 ,duration ( ag5cy's involvem5t4  
7v7 ,sequ5ce ( ag5cy's involvem5t4  7,b7
 ,jo9t lead ag5cies ,9 mak+ a           
det]m9ation "u subp>agraph 7,a71 !      
involv$ ,f$]al ag5cies may1 9 addition  
to a ,f$]al ag5cy1 appo9t su* ,f$]al1   
,/ate1 ,tribal1 or local ag5cies z jo9t 
lead ag5cies z ! involv$ ,f$]al ag5cies 
%all det]m9e appropriate4 ,jo9t lead    
ag5cies %all jo9tly fulfill ! role      
describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#b74  7,c7 ,m9]al  
projects ,?is p>agraph %all n apply )   

respect to a m9]al exploration or m9e   
p]mit4  7#b7 ,role ,a lead ag5cy %all1 )
 respect to a propos$ ag5cy action--    
7,a7 sup]vise ! prep>ation ( an         
environm5tal docum5t if1 ) respect to   
su* propos$ ag5cy action1 !re is m ?an  
"o involv$ ,f$]al ag5cy2  7,b7 reque/ ! 
p>ticipation ( ea* coop]at+ ag5cy at !  
e>lie/ practicable "t2  7,c7 9 prep>+ an
 environm5tal docum5t1 give consid]ation
 to any analysis or proposal creat$ by a
 coop]at+ ag5cy ) jurisdiction by law or
 a coop]at+ ag5cy ) special exp]tise2   
7,d7 develop a s*$ule1 9 consultation ) 
ea* involv$ coop]at+ ag5cy1 ! applicant1
 & su* o!r entities z ! lead ag5cy      
det]m9es appropriate1 = completion ( any
 environm5tal review1 p]mit1 or         
au?orization requir$ to c>ry out !      
propos$ ag5cy action2  7,e7 if ! lead   
ag5cy det]m9es t a review1 p]mit1 or    
au?orization w n be complet$ 9          
accordance ) ! s*$ule develop$ "u       
subp>agraph 7,d71 notify ! ag5cy        
responsible = issu+ su* review1 p]mit1  

or au?orization ( ! discrepancy & reque/
 t su* ag5cy take su* measures z su*    
ag5cy det]m9es appropriate to comply )  
su* s*$ule2 &  7,f7 meet ) a coop]at+   
ag5cy t reque/s su* a meet+4  7#c7      
,coop]at+ ag5cy ,! lead ag5cy may1 )    
respect to a propos$ ag5cy action1      
designate any involv$ ,f$]al ag5cy or a 
,/ate1 ,tribal1 or local ag5cy z a      
coop]at+ ag5cy4 ,a coop]at+ ag5cy may1 n
 lat] ?an a date specifi$ by ! lead     
ag5cy1 submit comm5ts to ! lead ag5cy4  
,su* comm5ts %all be limit$ to matt]s   
relat+ to ! propos$ ag5cy action )      
respect to :i* su* ag5cy has special    
exp]tise or jurisdiction by law )       
respect to an environm5tal issue4  7#d7 
,reque/ = designation ,any ,f$]al1      
,/ate1 ,tribal1 or local ag5cy or p]son 
t is sub/antially affect$ by ! lack ( a 
designation ( a lead ag5cy ) respect to 
a propos$ ag5cy action "u p>agraph 7#a7 
may submit a writt5 reque/ = su* a      
designation to an involv$ ,f$]al ag5cy4 
,an ag5cy t receives a reque/ "u ?is    

p>agraph %all transmit su* reque/ to ea*
 involv$ ,f$]al ag5cy & to ! ,c\ncil4   
7#e7 ,c\ncil designation  7,a7 ,reque/  
,n e>li] ?an #de days aft] ! date on :i*
 a reque/ is submitt$ "u p>agraph 7#d71 
if no designation has be5 made "u       
p>agraph 7#a71 a ,f$]al1 ,/ate1 ,tribal1
 or local ag5cy or p]son t is           
sub/antially affect$ by ! lack ( a      
designation ( a lead ag5cy may reque/ t 
! ,c\ncil designate a lead ag5cy4 ,su*  
reque/ %all consi/ (-- 7i7 a precise    
description ( ! nature & ext5t ( !      
propos$ ag5cy action2 &  7ii7 a detail$ 
/atem5t ) respect to ea* involv$ ,f$]al 
ag5cy & ea* factor li/$ 9 p>agraph 7#a7 
reg>d+ :i* ag5cy %\ld s]ve z lead ag5cy4
  7,b7 ,transmission ,! ,c\ncil %all    
transmit a reque/ receiv$ "u subp>agraph
 7,a7 to ea* involv$ ,f$]al ag5cy4  7,c7
 ,response ,an involv$ ,f$]al ag5cy may1
 n lat] ?an #bj days aft] ! date ( !    
submission ( a reque/ "u subp>agraph    
7,a71 submit to ! ,c\ncil a response to 
su* reque/4  7,d7 ,designation ,n lat]  

?an #dj days aft] ! date ( ! submission 
( a reque/ "u subp>agraph 7,a71 !       
,c\ncil %all designate ! lead ag5cy )   
respect to ! relevant propos$ ag5cy     
action4  7b7 ,"o docum5t  7#a7 ,docum5t 
,to ! ext5t practicable1 if !re are #b  
or m involv$ ,f$]al ag5cies ) respect to
 a propos$ ag5cy action & ! lead ag5cy  
has det]m9$ t an environm5tal docum5t is
 requir$1 su* requirem5t %all be deem$  
satisfi$ ) respect to all involv$ ,f$]al
 ag5cies if ! lead ag5cy issues su* an  
environm5tal docum5t4  7#b7             
,consid]ation tim+ ,9 develop+ an       
environm5tal docum5t = a propos$ ag5cy  
action1 no involv$ ,f$]al ag5cy %all be 
requir$ to consid] any in=mation t      
becomes available aft] ! soon] (1 z     
applicable-- 7,a7 receipt ( a complete  
application ) respect to su* propos$    
ag5cy action2 or  7,b7 publication ( a  
notice ( int5t or decision to prep>e an 
environm5tal impact /atem5t = su*       
propos$ ag5cy action4  7#c7 ,scope (    
review ,9 develop+ an environm5tal      

docum5t = a propos$ ag5cy action1 ! lead
 ag5cy & any o!r involv$ ,f$]al ag5cies 
%all only consid] ! effects ( ! propos$ 
ag5cy action t-- 7,a7 occur on ,f$]al   
l&2 or  7,b7 are subject to ,f$]al      
control & responsibility4  7c7 ,reque/ =
 public comm5t ,ea* notice ( int5t to   
prep>e an environm5tal impact /atem5t "u
 section #ajb %all include a reque/ =   
public comm5t on alt]natives or impacts 
& on relevant in=mation1 /udies1 or     
analyses ) respect to ! propos$ ag5cy   
action4  7d7 ,/atem5t ( purpose & ne$   
,ea* environm5tal impact /atem5t %all   
include a /atem5t ( purpose & ne$ t     
briefly summ>izes ! und]ly+ purpose &   
ne$ = ! propos$ ag5cy action4  7e7      
,e/imat$ total co/ ,! cov] %eet = ea*   
environm5tal impact /atem5t %all include
 a /atem5t ( ! e/imat$ total co/ (      
prep>+ su* environm5tal impact /atem5t1 
includ+ ! co/s ( ag5cy full-"t equival5t
 p]sonnel h\rs1 contractor co/s1 & o!r  
direct co/s4  7f7 ,page limits  7#a7    
,environm5tal impact /atem5ts  7,a7 ,9  

g5]al ,except z provid$ 9 subp>agraph   
7,b71 an environm5tal impact /atem5t    
%all n exce$ #aej pages1 n includ+ any  
citations or app5dices4  7,b7           
,extraord9>y complexity ,an environm5tal
 impact /atem5t = a propos$ ag5cy action
 ( extraord9>y complexity %all n exce$  
#cjj pages1 n includ+ any citations or  
app5dices4  7#b7 ,environm5tal          
assessm5ts ,an environm5tal assessm5t   
%all n exce$ #ge pages1 n includ+ any   
citations or app5dices4  7g7 ,sponsor   
prep>ation ,a lead ag5cy %all all[ a    
project sponsor to prep>e an            
environm5tal assessm5t or an            
environm5tal impact /atem5t ^u reque/ ( 
! project sponsor4 ,su* ag5cy may       
provide su* sponsor ) appropriate       
guidance & assi/ 9 ! prep>ation4 ,! lead
 ag5cy %all indep5d5tly evaluate !      
environm5tal docum5t & %all take        
responsibility = ! cont5ts ^u adoption4 
7h7 ,deadl9es  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,except z  
provid$ 9 p>agraph 7#b71 ) respect to a 
propos$ ag5cy action1 a lead ag5cy %all 

complete1 z applicable-- 7,a7 !         
environm5tal impact /atem5t n lat] ?an !
 date t is #b ye>s aft] ! soon] (1 z    
applicable-- 7i7 ! date on :i* su* ag5cy
 det]m9es t section #ajb7b77;,c7        
requires ! issuance ( an environm5tal   
impact /atem5t ) respect to su* action2 
7ii7 ! date on :i* su* ag5cy notifies ! 
applicant t ! application to e/abli% a  
"r-(-way = su* action is complete2 &    
7iii7 ! date on :i* su* ag5cy issues a  
notice ( int5t to prep>e ! environm5tal 
impact /atem5t = su* action2 &  7,b7 !  
environm5tal assessm5t n lat] ?an ! date
 t is #a ye> aft] ! soon] (1 z          
applicable-- 7i7 ! date on :i* su* ag5cy
 det]m9es t section #ajf7;b77#b7        
requires ! prep>ation ( an environm5tal 
assessm5t ) respect to su* action2  7ii7
 ! date on :i* su* ag5cy notifies !     
applicant t ! application to e/abli% a  
"r-(-way = su* action is complete2 &    
7iii7 ! date on :i* su* ag5cy issues a  
notice ( int5t to prep>e ! environm5tal 
assessm5t = su* action4  7#b7 ,delay ,a 

lead ag5cy t det]m9es x is n able to    
meet ! deadl9e describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a7 
may ext5d su* deadl9e ) ! approval ( !  
applicant4 ,if ! applicant approves su* 
an ext5sion1 ! lead ag5cy %all e/abli% a
 new deadl9e t provides only s mu*      
additional "t z is necess>y to complete 
su* environm5tal impact /atem5t or      
environm5tal assessm5t4  7#c7           
,exp5ditures = delay ,if a lead ag5cy is
 unable to meet ! deadl9e describ$ 9    
p>agraph 7#a7 or ext5d$ "u p>agraph     
7#b71 ! lead ag5cy mu/ pay #ajj p] day1 
to ! ext5t fund+ is provid$ 9 advance 9 
an appropriations ,act1 out ( ! (fice ( 
! head ( ! dep>tm5t ( ! lead ag5cy to ! 
applicant />t+ on ! fir/ day imm$iately 
foll[+ ! deadl9e describ$ 9 p>agraph    
7#a7 or ext5d$ "u p>agraph 7#b7 up until
 ! date t an applicant approves a new   
deadl9e4 ,?is p>agraph does n apply :5 !
 lead ag5cy misses a deadl9e solely due 
to delays caus$ by litigation4  7i7     
,report  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,! head ( ea*    
lead ag5cy %all annually submit to !    

,committee on ,natural ,res\rces ( !    
,h\se ( ,repres5tatives & ! ,committee  
on ,environm5t & ,public ,works ( !     
,s5ate a report t-- 7,a7 id5tifies any  
environm5tal assessm5t & environm5tal   
impact /atem5t t su* lead ag5cy did n   
complete by ! deadl9e describ$ 9        
subsection 7h72 &  7,b7 provides an     
explanation = any failure to meet su*   
deadl9e4  7#b7 ,inclusions ,ea* report  
submitt$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 %all id5tify1 
z applicable-- 7,a7 ! (fice1 bureau1    
division1 unit1 or o!r entity )9 !      
,f$]al ag5cy responsible = ea* su*      
environm5tal assessm5t & environm5tal   
impact /atem5t2  7,b7 ! date on :i*--   
7i7 su* lead ag5cy notifi$ ! applicant t
 ! application to e/abli% a "r-(-way = !
 major ,f$]al action is complete2  7ii7 
su* lead ag5cy began ! scop+ = ! major  
,f$]al action2 or  7iii7 su* lead ag5cy 
issu$ a notice ( int5t to prep>e !      
environm5tal assessm5t or environm5tal  
impact /atem5t = ! major ,f$]al action2 
&  7,c7 :5 su* environm5tal assessm5t & 

environm5tal impact /atem5t is expect$  
to be complete4  #ajh4 ,judicial review 
7a7 ,limitations on claims ,not)/&+ any 
o!r provision ( law1 a claim aris+ "u   
,f$]al law seek+ judicial review (      
compliance ) ?is ,act1 ( a det]m9ation  
made "u ?is ,act1 or ( ,f$]al action    
result+ f a det]m9ation made "u ?is     
,act1 %all be b>r$ unless-- 7#a7 9 !    
case ( a claim p]ta9+ to a propos$ ag5cy
 action = :i*-- 7,a7 an environm5tal    
docum5t 0 prep>$ & an opportunity =     
comm5t 0 provid$2  7,b7 ! claim is fil$ 
by a p>ty t p>ticipat$ 9 ! adm9i/rative 
proce$+s reg>d+ su* environm5tal        
docum5t2 &  7,c7 ! claim-- 7i7 is fil$  
by a p>ty t submitt$ a comm5t dur+ !    
public comm5t p]iod = su* adm9i/rative  
proce$+s & su* comm5t 0 suffici5tly     
detail$ to put ! lead ag5cy on notice ( 
! issue ^u :i* ! p>ty seeks judicial    
review2 &  7ii7 is relat$ to su* comm5t2
  7#b7 except z provid$ 9 subsection    
7b71 su* claim is fil$ n lat] ?an #abj  
days aft] ! date ( publication ( a      

notice 9 ! ,f$]al ,regi/] ( ag5cy int5t 
to c>ry out ! propos$ ag5cy action2     
7#c7 su* claim is fil$ aft] ! issuance (
 a record ( decision or o!r f9al ag5cy  
action ) respect to ! relevant propos$  
ag5cy action2  7#d7 su* claim does n    
*all5ge ! e/abli%m5t or use ( a         
categorical exclusion "u section #ajb2 &
  7#e7 su* claim conc]ns-- 7,a7 an      
alt]native includ$ 9 ! environm5tal     
docum5t2 or  7,b7 an environm5tal effect
 consid]$ 9 ! environm5tal docum5t4  7b7
 ,supplem5tal environm5tal impact       
/atem5t  7#a7 ,sep>ate f9al ag5cy action
 ,! issuance ( a ,f$]al action result+ f
 a f9al supplem5tal environm5tal impact 
/atem5t %all be consid]$ a f9al ag5cy   
action = ! purposes ( *apt] #e ( title  
#e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 sep>ate f !    
issuance ( any previ\s environm5tal     
impact /atem5t ) respect to ! same      
propos$ ag5cy action4  7#b7 ,deadl9e =  
fil+ a claim ,a claim seek+ judicial    
review ( a ,f$]al action result+ f a    
f9al supplem5tal environm5tal review    

issu$ "u section #ajb7b77;,c7 %all be   
b>r$ unless-- 7,a7 su* claim is fil$ )9 
#abj days ( ! date on :i* a notice ( !  
,f$]al ag5cy action result+ f a f9al    
supplem5tal environm5tal impact /atem5t 
is issu$2 &  7,b7 su* claim is bas$ on  
in=mation conta9$ 9 su* supplem5tal     
environm5tal impact /atem5t t 0 n       
conta9$ 9 a previ\s environm5tal docum5t
 p]ta9+ to ! same propos$ ag5cy action4 
7c7 ,prohibition on injunctive relief   
,not)/&+ any o!r provision ( law1 a     
violation ( ?is ,act %all n con/itute ! 
basis = injunctive relief4  7d7 ,rule ( 
con/ruction ,no?+ 9 ?is section %all be 
con/ru$ to create a "r ( judicial review
 or place any limit on fil+ a claim )   
respect to ! violation ( ! t]ms ( a     
p]mit1 lic5se1 or approval4  7e7 ,rem&  
,not)/&+ any o!r provision ( law1 no    
propos$ ag5cy action = :i* an           
environm5tal docum5t is requir$ %all be 
vacat$ or o!rwise limit$1 delay$1 or    
enjo9$ unless a c\rt concludes all[+ su*
 propos$ action w pose a risk ( an      

imm95t & sub/antial environm5tal h>m &  
!re is no o!r equitable rem$y available 
z a matt] ( law4  #aji4 ,def9itions ,9  
?is title3 7#a7 ,categorical exclusion  
,! t]m categorical exclusion means a    
category ( actions t a ,f$]al ag5cy has 
det]m9$ normally does n significantly   
affect ! quality ( ! human environm5t )9
 ! mean+ ( section #ajb7b77;,c74  7#b7  
,coop]at+ ag5cy ,! t]m coop]at+ ag5cy   
means any ,f$]al1 ,/ate1 ,tribal1 or    
local ag5cy t has be5 designat$ z a     
coop]at+ ag5cy "u section #ajg7;a77#c74 
7#c7 ,c\ncil ,! t]m ,c\ncil means !     
,c\ncil on ,environm5tal ,quality       
e/abli%$ 9 title ,,ii4  7#d7            
,environm5tal assessm5t ,! t]m          
environm5tal assessm5t means an         
environm5tal assessm5t prep>$ "u section
 #ajf7;b77#b74  7#e7 ,environm5tal      
docum5t ,! t]m environm5tal docum5t     
means an environm5tal impact /atem5t1 an
 environm5tal assessm5t1 or a f9d+ ( no 
significant impact4  7#f7 ,environm5tal 
impact /atem5t ,! t]m environm5tal      

impact /atem5t means a detail$ writt5   
/atem5t t is requir$ by section         
#ajb7b77;,c74  7#g7 ,f9d+ ( no          
significant impact ,! t]m f9d+ ( no     
significant impact means a det]m9ation  
by a ,f$]al ag5cy t a propos$ ag5cy     
action does n require ! issuance ( an   
environm5tal impact /atem5t4  7#h7      
,involv$ ,f$]al ag5cy ,! t]m involv$    
,f$]al ag5cy means an ag5cy t1 ) respect
 to a propos$ ag5cy action-- 7,a7       
propos$ su* action2 or  7,b7 is involv$ 
9 su* action because su* action is      
directly relat$1 ?r\gh functional       
int]dep5d5ce or geographic proximity1 to
 an action su* ag5cy has tak5 or has    
propos$ to take4  7#i7 ,lead ag5cy  7,a7
 ,9 g5]al ,except z provid$ 9           
subp>agraph 7,b71 ! t]m lead ag5cy      
means1 ) respect to a propos$ ag5cy     
action-- 7i7 ! ag5cy t propos$ su*      
action2 or  7ii7 if !re are #b or m     
involv$ ,f$]al ag5cies ) respect to su* 
action1 ! ag5cy designat$ "u section    
#ajg7;a77#a74  7,b7 ,specification =    

m9]al exploration or m9e p]mits ,)      
respect to a propos$ m9]al exploration  
or m9e p]mit1 ! t]m lead ag5cy has !    
mean+ giv5 su* t]m 9 section #djbjf7;a7 
( ! ,infra/ructure ,inve/m5t & ,jobs    
,act4  7#aj7 ,major ,f$]al action  7,a7 
,9 g5]al ,! t]m major ,f$]al action     
means an action t ! ag5cy c>ry+ out su* 
action det]m9es is subject to sub/antial
 ,f$]al control & responsibility4  7,b7 
,exclusion ,! t]m major ,f$]al action   
does n include-- 7i7 a non-,f$]al       
action-- 7,i7 ) no or m9imal ,f$]al     
fund+2  7,,ii7 ) no or m9imal ,f$]al    
involvem5t :]e a ,f$]al ag5cy _c control
 ! outcome ( ! project2 or  7,,iii7 t   
does n include ,f$]al l&2  7ii7 fund+   
assi/ance solely 9 ! =m ( g5]al rev5ue  
%>+ funds :i* d n provide ,f$]al ag5cy  
compliance or en=cem5t responsibility   
ov] ! subsequ5t use ( su* funds2  7iii7 
loans1 loan gu>antees1 or o!r =ms (     
f9ancial assi/ance :]e a ,f$]al ag5cy   
does n ex]cise suffici5t control &      
responsibility ov] ! effect ( ! action2 

7iv7 f>m own]%ip & op]at+ loan gu>antees
 by ! ,f>m ,s]vice ,ag5cy pursuant to   
sections #cje & #caa ?r\gh #cai ( !     
,consolidat$ ,f>m]s ,home ,adm9i/ration 
,act ( #aifa 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #aibe & #aida
 ?r\gh #aidi72  7v7 bus9ess loan        
gu>antees provid$ by ! ,small ,bus9ess  
,adm9i/ration pursuant to section #g7;a7
 or 7b7 & ( ! ,small ,bus9ess ,act 7#ae 
,u4,s4,c4 #fcf7;a771 or title ,v ( !    
,small ,bus9ess ,inve/m5t ,act ( #aieh  
7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fie et seq472  7vi7 br++
 judicial or adm9i/rative civil or      
crim9al en=cem5t actions2 or  7vii7     
extrat]ritorial activities or decisions1
 :i* means ag5cy activities or decisions
 ) effects locat$ entirely outside ( !  
jurisdiction ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates4  7,c7   
,additional exclusions ,an ag5cy action 
may n be det]m9$ to be a major ,f$]al   
action on ! basis (-- 7i7 an int]/ate   
effect ( ! action or relat$ project2 or 
7ii7 ! provision ( ,f$]al funds = !     
action or relat$ project4  7#aa7 ,m9]al 
exploration or m9e p]mit ,! t]m m9]al   

exploration or m9e p]mit has ! mean+    
giv5 su* t]m 9 section #djbjf7;a7 ( !   
,infra/ructure ,inve/m5t & ,jobs ,act4  
7#ab7 ,proposal ,! t]m proposal means a 
propos$ action at a /age :5 an ag5cy has
 a goal1 is actively prep>+ to make a   
decision on "o or m alt]native means (  
accompli%+ t goal1 & c mean+fully       
evaluate its effects4  7#ac7 ,reasonably
 =eseeable ,! t]m reasonably =eseeable  
means likely to occur-- 7,a7 n lat] ?an 
#aj ye>s aft] ! lead ag5cy beg9s prep>+ 
! environm5tal docum5t2 &  7,b7 9 an    
area directly affect$ by ! propos$ ag5cy
 action su* t an individual ( ord9>y    
prud5ce w\ld take su* occurr5ce into    
acc\nt 9 rea*+ a decision4  7#ad7       
,special exp]tise ,! t]m special        
exp]tise means /atutory responsibility1 
ag5cy mission1 or relat$ program        
exp]i5ce4  4  #c4 ,e-,,nepa  7a7        
,p]mitt+ portal /udy ,! ,c\ncil on      
,environm5tal ,quality %all conduct a   
/udy & submit a report to ,congress )9  
#a ye> ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act on !     

pot5tial to create an onl9e p]mitt+     
portal = p]mits t require review "u     
section #ajb7b77;,c7 ( ! ,national      
,environm5tal ,policy ,act ( #aifi 7#db 
,u4,s4,c4 #dccb7b77;,c77 t w\ld-- 7#a7  
all[ applicants to-- 7,a7 submit requir$
 docum5ts or mat]ials = _! application 9
 "o unifi$ portal2  7,b7 upload         
additional docum5ts z requir$ by !      
applicable ag5cy2 &  7,c7 track !       
progress ( individual applications2     
7#b7 enhance int]ag5cy coord9ation 9    
consultation by-- 7,a7 all[+ = comm5ts 9
 "o unifi$ portal2  7,b7 c5traliz+ data 
necess>y = reviews2 &  7,c7 /reaml9+    
communications betwe5 o!r ag5cies & !   
applicant2 &  7#c7 boo/ transp>5cy 9    
ag5cy decisionmak+4  7b7 ,au?orization (
 appropriations ,!re is au?oriz$ to be  
appropriat$ #ejj1jjj = ! ,c\ncil on     
,environm5tal ,quality to c>ry out !    
/udy direct$ by ?is section4