NEPA and NHPA: A Handbook for Integrating NEPA and Section 106

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240
http://www.blm.gov
April 25, 2013

In Reply Refer To:
1050,  1610 (240/210) P

EMS TRANSMISSION 04/26/2013

Information Bulletin No. 2013-061

To:                   All Washington Office and Field Office Officials                                                      

From:               Assistant Director, Renewable Resources and Planning

Subject:           NEPA and NHPA:  A Handbook for Integrating NEPA and Section 106

The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) announced the release of a new handbook, NEPA and NHPA: Handbook for Integrating NEPA and Section 106 Reviews, on March 1, 2013.  The handbook was a joint effort between the CEQ and ACHP.  It provides detailed information to help Federal agencies improve environmental reviews by adopting an integrated approach to compliance with their independent statutory responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).  The handbook will also be of interest to applicants, consultants, tribes and other stakeholders.  

In a letter to the heads of Federal departments and agencies, CEQ Chair, Nancy Sutley, and ACHP Chair, Milford Wayne Donaldson, encouraged agencies, “to use the handbook’s roadmaps for NEPA and NHPA coordination and the NEPA substitution process whenever appropriate to ensure timely and well informed decisions.”  The handbook is consistent with the April 27, 2012, BLM Information Memorandum, Coordinating National Historic Preservation Act and National Environmental Policy Act Compliance, but provides important additional advice, particularly on the process and standards for successfully using the NEPA substitution process to comply with Section 106 of the NHPA.  The March 1, 2013, letter from CEQ and ACHP to agency and department heads is available on line https://www.whitehouse.gov/ceq/

The NEPA and NHPA handbook is available at:

https://ceq.doe.gov/publications/nepa-handbooks.html

Check the CEQ and ACHP web sites periodically for additional information on the NEPA and NHPA Section 106 integration, including future training opportunities.

The April 27, 2012, BLM Information Memorandum is available at: https://www.blm.gov/policy/im-2012-108.

Should your office have any questions on the NHPA, please contact Robin Hawks, Ph.D., Federal Preservation Officer, at rhawks@blm.gov or (202) 912-7241.  For questions on NEPA, please contact Kerry Rodgers, Senior NEPA Specialist, at kerodgers@blm.gov or (202) 912-7158.

Signed by:                                                       Authenticated by:

Edwin L. Roberson                                         Robert M. Williams
Assistant Director                                           Division of IRM Governance,WO-560
Renewable Resources and Planning