Action
Notice of proposed rulemaking.
Summary
This notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) provides interested parties with the opportunity to comment on proposed changes to the joint Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) regulations that implement the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The proposed revisions would affect actions by FTA and project sponsors. The proposed revisions are intended to streamline the FTA environmental process for transit projects in response to the Presidential Memorandum on the subject "Speeding Infrastructure Development through More Efficient and Effective Permitting and Environmental Review" of August 31, 2011. The proposed categorical exclusions (CEs) would apply to FTA and improve the efficiency of the NEPA environmental reviews by making available the least intensive form of review for those actions that typically do not have the potential for significant environmental effects and therefore do not merit additional analysis and documentation associated with an Environmental Assessment or an Environmental Impact Statement. FTA and the FHWA invite comments on the proposals contained in this notice.