Forest Service NEPA Procedures and Guidance
Amendments to the Forest Service’s NEPA regulations are final as of November 19, 2020. The final rule establishes new and revised categorical exclusions and a Determination of NEPA Adequacy provision. The updates will help expedite environmental analysis and decision making through these new tools and flexibility that supports the Forest Service in its mission to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. Public comment informed and improved the final rule, which is effective immediately. View comments.
An informational webinar was held on December 2, 2020. View the recorded webinar.
- Federal Register Notice
- CEQ Letter re NEPA Procedures (.pdf, 146 KB)
- Proposed Rule (.pdf, 408 KB)
- Redline of Previous Regulations (.pdf, 296 KB)
- Table Comparing Previous, Proposed, and Final Regulations (.pdf, 150 KB)
- Supporting Information for Categorical Exclusions
In July 2008, the Forest Service moved its NEPA procedures from directives to regulations to include new provisions that incorporate Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) guidance and to better align Agency NEPA documentation to Agency decision-making processes. Most existing Forest Service NEPA procedures were moved to regulation without substantial change.
- Federal Register Notice - Final NEPA Procedures - (508.pdf/581 KB)
- Highlights of the Final NEPA Procedures - (508.pdf/99 KB)
- Background on Forest Service NEPA Procedures - (508.pdf/38 KB)
- Q & A's about the Final NEPA Procedures - (508.pdf/104 KB)
- CEQ letter re. NEPA Procedures - (508.pdf/196 KB)
National Environmental Policy Act Directives
Understanding the Forest Service Directives System - (508.pdf/12 KB)
FSM 1950, Environmental Policy and Procedures - (508.pdf/284 KB)
FSH 1909.15 - Contents - (.doc/53 KB)
- Zero Code - (.doc/129 KB)
- Chapter 10, Environmental Analysis - (.doc/435 KB)
- Chapter 20, Environmental Impact Statements and Related Documents - (.doc/168 KB)
- Chapter 30, Categorical Exclusion from Documentation - (.docx/114 KB)
- Chapter 40, Environmental Assessments and Related Documents - (.doc/67 KB)
- Chapter 50, Implementation and Monitoring - (.doc/47 KB)
- Chapter 60, References - (.doc/95 KB)
- Chapter 70, Oversight and Quality Assurance - (.doc/93 KB)
Chief's direction to suspend use of Category 10 - Hazardous Fuels Reduction - (508.pdf/86 KB)
Federal Register Notice - Proposed NEPA Procedures - (508.pdf/516 KB)
Proposed NEPA Procedures - Summary of Public Comment - (508.pdf/1.42 MB)