The preparation of this handbook has been a joint effort between CEQ and the ACHP. It provides advice to Federal agencies, applicants, project sponsors, and consultants on how to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) Section 106 review processes. The handbook benefitted from receiving a broad range of views and comments from Federal agency NEPA and NHPA Section 106 practitioners.
The CEQ regulations implementing NEPA (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508) encourage integration of the NEPA process with other planning and environmental reviews, such as the NHP A Section 106 process. The ACHP regulations that implement Section 106 (36 CFR Part 800) encourage agencies to plan Section 106 consultations coordinated with other requirements of other statutes such as NEPA. Both the CEQ and NHP A Section 106 regulations promote coordination, improve public understanding, and lead to more informed decisions.