,i #aai? ,,congress #a/ ,session ,h4 ,r4 #dggf ,,9 ,,! ,,h\se ,,( ,,repres5tatives ,july #be1 #bjbe,mr4 ,we/]man 7= himself & ,mr4 ,gold5 ( ,ma9e7 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 provisions & facilitate a m effici5t1 effective1 & timely environm5tal review process4 #a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z ! ,/&>diz+ ,p]mitt+ & ,exp$it+ ,economic ,developm5t ,act or ! ,,spe$ ,act4 #b4 ,,nepa re=m 7a7 ,purpose ,section #b ( ! ,national ,environm5tal ,policy ,act ( #aifi 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #dcba7 is am5d$-- 7#a7 by /rik+ ,! purposes & ins]t+ ! foll[+3 7a7 ,! purposes 2 & 7#b7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 7b7 ,?is ,act is a purely proc$ural /atute int5d$ to ensure ,f$]al ag5cies consid] ! environm5tal impacts ( _! actions dur+ ! decisionmak+ process4 ,?is ,act does n m&ate p>ticul> results1 & only prescribes a process4 ,no?+ 9 ?is ,act %all be con/ru$ to m&ate any specific environm5tal outcome or result1 nor %all ?is ,act be int]pret$ to conf] sub/antive rights or impose sub/antive duties beyond proc$ural requirem5ts4 4 7b7 ,proc$ure = det]m9ation ( level ( review ,section #ajf ( ! ,national ,environm5tal ,policy ,act ( #aifi 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #dccf7 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 ! head+1 by ins]t+ 2 scope ( review aft] level ( review2 7#b7 9 subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 9 p>agraph 7#c71 by /rik+ or2 7,b7 9 p>agraph 7#d71 by /rik+ action4 & ins]t+ action22 & 7,c7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 7#e7 ! propos$ ag5cy action is an action = :i* su* ag5cy's compliance ) ano!r /atute's requirem5ts s]ve a simil> function z ! requirem5ts ( ?is ,act ) respect to su* action2 or 7#f7 ! propos$ ag5cy action-- 7,a7 relates to a project or action t has already be5 review$ pursuant to a ,/ate or ,tribal environm5tal review /atute2 & 7,b7 ! lead ag5cy det]m9es su* review meets ! requirem5ts ( ?is ,act4 2 7#c7 9 subsection 7b7-- 7,a7 9 p>agraph 7#b71 by /rik+ does n & ins]t+ is n likely to2 & 7,b7 9 p>agraph 7#c71 by am5d+ subp>agraph 7,b7 to read z foll[s3 7,b7 is n requir$ to-- 7i7 und]take new sci5tific or te*nical rese>* unless ! new sci5tific or te*nical rese>* is ess5tial to a reason$ *oice among alt]natives1 & ! ov]all co/s & "t frame ( obta9+ x are n unreasonable2 or 7ii7 und]take new sci5tific & te*nical rese>* aft] ! receipt ( an application1 z applicable1 ) respect to su* propos$ ag5cy action4 2 & 7#d7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 7c7 ,scope ( review ,9 develop+ an environm5tal docum5t = a propos$ ag5cy action1 a ,f$]al ag5cy-- 7#a7 may only consid] effects t %>e a reasonably close causal relation%ip to1 & are proximately caus$ by1 ! imm$iate project or action "u consid]ation2 & 7#b7 may n consid] effects t are speculative1 att5uat$ f ! project or action1 sep>ate 9 "t or place f ! project or action1 or 9 relation to sep>ate exi/+ or pot5tial future projects or actions4 7d7 ,c]ta9ty ,a ,f$]al ag5cy may n resc9d1 )draw1 am5d1 alt]1 or o!rwise r5d] ineffective any environm5tal docum5t complet$ "u ?is ,act unless ! ,f$]al ag5cy has be5 s ord]$ by a c\rt4 4 7c7 ,timely & unifi$ ,f$]al reviews ,section #ajg ( ! ,national ,environm5tal ,policy ,act ( #aifi 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #dccf;a7 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 subsection 7a77#c71 by add+ at ! end ,su* comm5ts %all be limit$ to matt]s relat+ to ! propos$ ag5cy action ) respect to :i* su* coop]at+ ag5cy has jurisdiction by law4 ,if a lead ag5cy det]m9es an environm5tal docum5t is n requir$ to be prep>$ ) respect to a propos$ ag5cy action "u section #ajf7;a71 ano!r ag5cy may n prep>e an environm5tal docum5t ) respect to su* propos$ ag5cy action42 7#b7 9 subsection 7b7-- 7,a7 by /rik+ ,to ! ext5t practicable1 & ins]t+ ! foll[+3 7#a7 ,docum5t ,to ! ext5t practicable1 2 & 7,b7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 7#b7 ,consid]ation tim+ 7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,9 develop+ an environm5tal docum5t = a propos$ ag5cy action1 no ,f$]al ag5cy %all be requir$ to consid] any sci5tific or te*nical rese>* t becomes publicly available aft] ! soon] (1 z applicable-- 7i7 ! date ( receipt ( an application ) respect to su* propos$ ag5cy action2 & 7ii7 ! date ( publication ( a notice ( int5t or decision to prep>e su* environm5tal docum5t = su* propos$ ag5cy action4 7,b7 ,applicability to o!r law ,?is p>agraph does n affect any review ( in=mation requir$ "u sub*apt] ,,ii ( *apt] #e ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 ) respect to comm5ts receiv$ dur+ ! public comm5t p]iod z applicable4 7,c7 ,unnecess>y delay ,a ,f$]al ag5cy may n delay ! issuance ( an environm5tal docum5t or a f9al ag5cy action1 includ+ any decision or det]m9ation1 on ! basis ( await+ new sci5tific or te*nical rese>* or in=mation t 0 n available z ( ! deadl9es specifi$ 9 subp>agraph 7,a74 2 7#c7 9 subsection 7d71 by /rik+ action4 & ins]t+ action4 ,:]e applicable1 ! /atem5t ( purpose & ne$ %all meet ! goals ( ! applicant42 & 7#d7 9 subsection 7g7-- 7,a7 9 p>agraph 7#b71 by /rik+ 1 9 consultation ) ! applicant1 to & ins]t+ if ! applicant approves su* ext5sion4 ,if ! applicant approves su* ext5sion1 ! lead ag5cy %all2 7,b7 9 p>agraph 7#c77;,a71 by /rik+ ,a project sponsor may & ins]t+ ,except z provid$ 9 subp>agraph 7,c71 a project sponsor may2 & 7,c7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 7,c7 ,exception ,a project sponsor t approv$ an ext5sion ( a deadl9e "u p>agraph 7#b7 may n obta9 review ( a failure to act 9 accordance ) su* deadl9e "u subp>agraph 7,a7 unless ! lead ag5cy fails to meet ! new deadl9e or is delay+ = reasons o!r ?an ^? necess>y to complete its review4 4 7d7 ,programmatic environm5tal docum5ts ,section #ajh ( ! ,national ,environm5tal ,policy ,act ( #aifi 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #dccf;b7 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 p>agraph 7#a71 by /rik+ #e & ins]t+ #aj2 & 7#b7 9 p>agraph 7#b71 by /rik+ #e & ins]t+ #aj4 7e7 ,adoption ( categorical exclusions ,section #aji ( ! ,national ,environm5tal ,policy ,act ( #aifi 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #dccf;c7 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 ! text prec$+ p>agraph 7#a71 by ins]t+ 1 or t 0 legislatively enact$ by ,congress1 aft] proc$ures2 & 7#b7 9 p>agraph 7#b71 by ins]t+ 1 if applicable1 aft] e/abli%$ ! categorical exclusion4 7f7 ,def9itions ,section #aaa ( ! ,national ,environm5tal ,policy ,act ( #aifi 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #dccf;e7 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 p>agraph 7#a71 by ins]t+ 1 or ,congress deems by /atute1 aft] ,f$]al ag5cy has det]m9$2 7#b7 9 p>agraph 7#aj7-- 7,a7 9 subp>agraph 7,b7-- 7i7 9 clause 7iii7-- 7,i7 by ins]t+ 1 grants aft] loan gu>antees2 7,,ii7 by /rik+ suffici5t & ins]t+ complete2 & 7,,iii7 by /rik+ subsequ5t use ( su* f9ancial assi/ance or !2 7ii7 by r$esignat+ clauses 7iv7 ?r\gh 7vii7 z clauses 7vi7 ?r\gh 7ix71 respectively2 & 7iii7 by ins]t+ aft] clause 7iii7 ! foll[+3 7iv7 f>m own]%ip loans & op]at+ loan gu>antees by ! ,f>m ,s]vice ,ag5cy pursuant to sections #cje & #caa ?r\gh #cai ( ! ,consolidat$ ,f>m & ,rural ,developm5t ,act2 7v7 ! issuance ( a p]mit or o!r au?orization by an ag5cy :]e ! proposal "u consid]ation is o!rwise be+ evaluat$ or 0 previ\sly evaluat$ by ! lead ag5cy 9 compliance ) ?is ,act2 2 & 7,b7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 7,c7 ,additional exclusions ,an ag5cy action may n be det]m9$ to be a major ,f$]al action solely on ! basis ( ! provision ( ,f$]al funds1 includ+ a grant1 loan1 loan gu>antee1 & fund+ assi/ance4 2 & 7#c7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 7#ad7 ,reasonably =eseeable ,! t]m reasonably =eseeable1 ) respect to environm5tal effects ( a propos$ ag5cy action-- 7,a7 means effects t %>e a reasonably close causal relation%ip to1 & are proximately caus$ by1 ! imm$iate project or action "u consid]ation2 & 7,b7 does n include effects t are-- 7i7 speculative2 7ii7 att5uat$ f ! propos$ ag5cy action2 7iii7 sep>ate 9 "t or place f ! propos$ ag5cy action2 or 7iv7 9 relation to sep>ate exi/+ or pot5tial future projects4 4 7g7 ,duties ,section #bjd ( ! ,national ,environm5tal ,policy ,act ( #aifi 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #dcdd7 is am5d$ 9 p>agraph 7#d7 by ins]t+ en]gy1 aft] heal?14 #c4 ,judicial review ,title ,i ( ! ,national ,environm5tal ,policy ,act ( #aifi 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #dcca et seq47 is am5d$ by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3 #aac4 ,judicial review 7a7 ,/&>d ( review ,not)/&+ *apt] #g ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 9 review+ a claim ( :e!r a f9al ag5cy action complies ) ! proc$ural requirem5ts ( ?is ,act1 a c\rt may only hold t ! f9al ag5cy action does n comply ) ! proc$ural requirem5ts ( ?is ,act if ! c\rt det]m9es-- 7#a7 ! ag5cy abus$ its sub/antial discretion 9 comply+ ) ! proc$ural requirem5ts ( ?is ,act2 & 7#b7 ! ag5cy w\ld h rea*$ a diff]5t result ) respect to ! f9al ag5cy action abs5t su* abuse ( sub/antial discretion4 7b7 ,role ( ! c\rt ,a c\rt review+ a claim describ$ 9 subsection 7a7 may n sub/itute its judgm5t = t ( ! ag5cy reg>d+ ! environm5tal effects ( a propos$ ag5cy action4 7c7 ,rem& 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,if a c\rt holds t a f9al ag5cy action does n comply ) ! proc$ural requirem5ts ( ?is ,act1 ! c\rt may only rem& ! f9al ag5cy action to ! ag5cy )-- 7,a7 specific in/ruction to correct ! errors or defici5cies 9 compliance2 & 7,b7 a reasonable s*$ule & deadl9e1 :i* su* deadl9e may n exce$-- 7i7 ) reg>d to an ord] ent]$ on or aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is section1 ! date t is #ahj days aft] ! date on :i* ! ord] 0 ent]$2 & 7ii7 ) reg>d to an ord] ent]$ be=e ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is section1 ! date t is #ahj days aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is section4 7#b7 ,cont9u$ effect ( f9al ag5cy action ,a f9al ag5cy action rem&$ "u p>agraph 7#a7 %all rema9 9 effect :ile ! ,f$]al ag5cy corrects any errors or defici5cies specifi$ by ! c\rt4 7d7 ,limitations on claims 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,not)/&+ *apt] #g ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 a claim describ$ 9 subsection 7a7 %all be b>r$ unless-- 7,a7 su* claim is fil$ n lat] ?an #aej days aft] ! f9al ag5cy action is made public1 unless a %ort] timel9e is specifi$ "u ,f$]al law2 7,b7 9 ! case ( a f9al ag5cy action = :i* !re 0 a public comm5t p]iod on an environm5tal docum5t1 su* claim-- 7i7 is fil$ by a p>ty t submitt$ a sub/antive & unique comm5t dur+ su* public comm5t p]iod by ! notic$ comm5t deadl9e = ! environm5tal docum5t & su* comm5t 0 suffici5tly detail$ to put ! applicable ,f$]al ag5cy on notice ( ! issue ^u :i* ! p>ty seeks review & %[s t ! p>ty w\ld suff] direct h>m if its comm5ts 7 n address$2 & 7ii7 conc]ns ! same subject matt] rais$ 9 ! comm5t submitt$ dur+ ! public comm5t p]iod2 & 7,c7 su* claim does n *all5ge ! e/abli%m5t ( a categorical exclusion4 7#b7 ,supplem5tal environm5tal docum5ts ,if an ag5cy issues a supplem5tal environm5tal docum5t 9 response to a c\rt ord] rem&+ a f9al ag5cy action1 ! deadl9e describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a77;,a7 %all be ! date on :i* ! ag5cy makes public ! ag5cy action = :i* ! supplem5tal environm5tal docum5t is prep>$4 ,a claim = review ( su* f9al ag5cy action %all be limit$ to in=mation conta9$ 9 ! f9al supplem5tal environm5tal docum5t t 0 n conta9$ 9 a previ\s environm5tal docum5t = ! f9al ag5cy action4 7e7 ,deadl9e = resolution 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,a c\rt %all issue a f9al judgm5t on a claim describ$ 9 subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 z exp$iti\sly z practicable2 & 7,b7 unless a %ort] timel9e is specifi$ "u ,f$]al law1 n lat] ?an ! date t is #ahj days aft] ! date on :i* ! ag5cy record = ! review is fil$ ) ! review+ c\rt1 :i* %all n be m ?an #cj days f ! fil+ ( ! claim4 7#b7 ,accel]at$ deadl9es ,no?+ 9 ?is subsection may be con/ru$ to prev5t a c\rt =m fur!r exp$it+ review ( a claim describ$ 9 subsection 7a74 7#c7 ,appeals 7,a7 ,fil+ ,a notice ( appeal ( a f9al judgm5t describ$ 9 ?is subsection %all be fil$ n lat] ?an #fj days aft] su* f9al judgm5t is issu$4 7,b7 ,deadl9e = review ,a c\rt %all issue a f9al decision on an appeal fil$ "u subp>agraph 7,a7-- 7i7 z exp$iti\sly z practicable2 & 7ii7 n lat] ?an ! date t is #ahj days aft] ! date on :i* ! appeal is fil$4 7f7 ,f9al ag5cy actions 7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,! completion ( an environm5tal assessm5t1 an environm5tal impact /atem5t1 or a f9d+ ( no significant impact1 or a det]m9ation to categorically exclude an action1 %all n be consid]$ a f9al ag5cy action "u *apt] #g ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code4 7#b7 ,ag5cy action def9$ ,9 ?is section1 ! t]m ag5cy action has ! mean+ giv5 su* t]m 9 section #eea ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code4 7g7 ,no effect on review ( compliance ) o!r deadl9es ,?is section %all n affect ! "r to obta9 review "u section #ajg7;g77#c74 4