Societies Urge CEQ to Extend Comment Period on NEPA Update

Thirteen scientific societies, including the American Institute of Biological Sciences, have urged the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to extend the comment period for the proposed changes for implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NEPA is a landmark law that requires proper environmental assessment prior to undertaking any major federal project that significantly affects the environment, such as airports, buildings, military complexes, and highways. “The proposed changes to NEPA’s implementation guidelines are widely viewed as a regulatory overhaul to this landmark environmental law. This rule represents a significant shift in policy and the development of new language, interpretations, requirements, and procedures that will affect fish, wildlife, and forests. Narrowing the scope of environmental review for federal actions will have far-reaching implications for natural resources, including wildlife, fish, aquatic animals, forests, and ecosystems on which we all depend.” The current deadline to submit comments on the proposed update is March 10, 2020. The societies have requested a minimum of a 120-day comment period to appropriately review the proposed rule changes. Read the letter: https://www.aibs.org/position-statements/20200211ceqnepaupdatecomments.html      
Source: Public Policy Reports - Category: Biology Authors: Source Type: news