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Collaboration in NEPA: A Handbook for NEPA Practitioners
Collaboration in NEPA: A Handbook for NEPA Practitioners
- Reports & Publications
- Collaboration
Collaboration in NEPA: A Handbook for NEPA Practitioners - October 1, 2007
This handbook is a collaboration of research and consultations by CEQ concerning analyses prepared under NEPA. Updated in the Fall of 2007, this 100-page guide introduces interested parties to collaborative principles, and includes suggestions for successful collaborative efforts.
- Reports & Publications
- Collaboration
2005 CEQ & OMB Memorandum on Environmental Conflict Resolution (superseded by 2012 memorandum)
2005 CEQ & OMB Memorandum on Environmental Conflict Resolution (superseded by 2012 memorandum)
- Guidance Document
- Public Engagement/Collaboration
Memorandum for Federal NEPA Contacts: Emergency Actions and NEPA (superseded by January 21, 2026 guidance)
Memorandum for Federal NEPA Contacts: Emergency Actions and NEPA (superseded by January 21, 2026 guidance)
- Guidance Document
- CEQ NEPA Implementing Regulations
- Emergencies
NEPA Implementing Regulations Desk Reference - 2005
CEQ has developed this Desk Reference to provide the current text of 40 CFR Parts 1500–1508, effective as of July 1, 2024; together with the text of National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended; the Environmental Quality Improvement Act of 1970; Section 309 of the Clean Air Act; and Executive Order 11514, as amended by Executive Order 11991.
- Guidance Document
Guidance on the Consideration of Past Actions in Cumulative Effects Analysis - Withdrawn
In this Memorandum, CEQ provided guidance on the extent to which agencies of the Federal government are required to analyze the environmental effects of past actions when they describe the cumulative environmental effect of a proposed action in accordance with Section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. § 4332, and the prior CEQ Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA, 40 C.F.R. parts 1500-1508.
- Guidance Document
- Effects Analysis
Modernizing NEPA Implementation
The Modernizing NEPA Implementation report was developed by CEQ's NEPA Task Force. The Task Force, established by CEQ in 2002, was composed of Federal agency employees with diverse skills, expertise, and perspectives to review NEPA implementation practices to determine opportunities to improve and modernize the NEPA process. This report presents the Task Force's findings and recommendations to CEQ.
- Reports & Publications
CEQ Exchange of Letters with Secretary of Transportation: Purpose and Need
CEQ Exchange of Letters with Secretary of Transportation: Purpose and Need
- Guidance Document
- Purpose and Need
CEQ Memorandum to Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of Interior: Guidance for Environmental Assessments of Forest Health Projects - Withdrawn
CEQ developed this guidance to ensure consistent procedures under the National Environmental Policy Act for fuels reduction and fire-adapted ecosystem restoration projects, including development of a model environmental assessment for such projects.
- Guidance Document
- Efficient Reviews
- Public Lands/Land Use
Memorandum for the Heads of Federal Agencies: Cooperating Agencies in Implementing the Procedural Requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act - Withdrawn
CEQ issued this memorandum to ensure that all Federal agencies actively consider designation of Federal and non-Federal cooperating agencies in the preparation of analyses and documentation required by the National Environmental Policy Act and ensure that Federal agencies actively participate as cooperating agencies.
- Guidance Document
- Agency Roles
CEQ Memorandum for Heads of Federal Agencies: Designation of Non-Federal Agencies to be Cooperating Agencies in Implementing the Procedural Requirements of NEPA - Withdrawn
This 1999 memorandum encouraged Federal agencies to solicit participation of State, Tribal, and local governments as cooperating agencies in implementing the environmental impact statement process under NEPA.
- Guidance Document
- Agency Roles
Considering Cumulative Effects Under the National Environmental Policy Act
Considering Cumulative Effects Under the National Environmental Policy Act is intended to assist Federal agencies with analyzing cumulative effects during the NEPA process. It outlines general principles, common cumulative effects assessment methodologies, and resources for additional information and background data.
- Reports & Publications
- Effects Analysis
Environmental Justice: Guidance Under the National Environmental Policy Act - Withdrawn
This guidance was developed to help assist Federal agencies with their National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) procedures to ensure that environmental justice concerns are effectively identified and addressed.
- Guidance Document
- Environmental Justice
Council on Environmental Quality Guidance on NEPA Analyses for Transboundary Impacts
Council on Environmental Quality Guidance on NEPA Analyses for Transboundary Impacts
- Guidance Document
- Effects Analysis
NEPA - A Study of Effectiveness After 25 Years
NEPA - A Study of Effectiveness After 25 Years, prepared in conjunction with NEPA's 25th anniversary, provides a detailed perspective on how the Act has affected federal agency decision making. Among the topics is a summary of how the Act has been implemented, how federal agency performance aligns with the intent of NEPA's framers, reactions from the public, NEPA stakeholders, and federal decision makers, and future challenges with ensuring the Act's continued effectiveness.
- Reports & Publications
Incorporating Biodiversity Considerations Into Environmental Impact Analysis Under the National Environmental Policy Act
Incorporating Biodiversity Considerations into Environmental Impact Analysis Under NEPA outlines general concepts that underlie biological diversity analysis and management, describes how biodiversity has historically been addressed under NEPA, and discusses methods for considering biodiversity in current and future NEPA analyses.
- Reports & Publications
- Effects Analysis
Final Rule: NEPA Regulations; Incomplete or Unavailable Information (Amendment to 40 CFR 1502.22)
Final Rule: NEPA Regulations; Incomplete or Unavailable Information (Amendment to 40 CFR 1502.22)
- Guidance Document
Proposed Rule: NEPA Regulations; Incomplete or Unavailable Information (Amendment to 40 CFR 1502.22)
Proposed Rule: NEPA Regulations; Incomplete or Unavailable Information (Amendment to 40 CFR 1502.22)
- Guidance Document
Council on Environmental Quality Guidance Regarding NEPA Regulations - Withdrawn
This 1983 guidance provided direction on a number of different topics related to agency NEPA procedures and implementation of CEQ's prior NEPA regulations.
- Guidance Document
- Agency Procedures
- CEQ NEPA Implementing Regulations
Memorandum to Heads of Federal Departments and Agencies Regarding Pollution Prevention and the National Environmental Policy Act - Withdrawn
This memorandum provided guidance to the Federal agencies on incorporating pollution prevention principles, techniques, and mechanisms into their planning and decision making processes and evaluating and reporting those efforts in documents prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act.
- Guidance Document
- Air Quality
- Water Quality