2018 Revisions to NEPA Procedures
(36 CFR 220) and Directives

The Forest Service is revising its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) procedures with the goal of increasing efficiency of environmental analysis. This will help the Forest Service implement its core mission by increasing the health and productivity of our Nation’s forests for the benefit of all Americans, and in turn foster productive and sustainable use of National Forest System lands. The Agency’s NEPA procedures are a key component of its overall environmental analysis and decision-making process.

On January 3, 2018 the Forest Service published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comments from the public on ways the agency can achieve the goal of increased efficiency of environmental analysis. The Forest Service received almost 35,000 comment letters during the 30-day comment period. More information about the Forest Service’s revisions to its NEPA procedures and directives is available here:

• Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
• Executive Summary of Public Comments on Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
• Public Comment Reading Room
• Environmental Analysis and Decision Making Website