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Categories
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Project Delivery
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6-Step Planning Process
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Plan Formulation
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Review
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Civil Works Budget
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Public Outreach and Engagement
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Continuing Authorities Program (CAP)
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Post-Authorization Change
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National Environmental Policy Act
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Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA)
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Fish and Wildlife Coordination
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National Historic Preservation Act
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Clean Water Act
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Partnering with the Corps
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Beneficial Use of Dredged Material
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Nonstructural Flood Risk Management

 
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National Environmental Policy Act

  • The National Environmental Policy Act

  • Corps - USACE Procedures
    • Department of Defense NEPA Implementing Procedures
      The Department of Defense NEPA Implementing procedures cover NEPA compliance and implementation for all of DoD, including U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works projects.
    • Department of Defense NEPA Implementing Procedures Appendix A: Department of Defense Categorical Exclusions
      Categorical Exclusions established by DoD are available for all of the DoD to use, regardless of the establishing agency.
    • U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) NEPA Website
      This website is the home of National Environmental Policy Act policy information for DOD. It includes the current DOD NEPA implementing procedures covering NEPA compliance and implementation for all of DOD, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works. It also contains Frequently Asked Questions for DOD NEPA procedures.
    • Processing Final Environmental Impact Statements for Civil Works Projects
      This memorandum puts into effect immediately the guidance and procedures outlined in the 6 July 2020 Memorandum from the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works (ASA(CW)), Processing Final Environmental Impact Statements for Civil Works Projects. This memo requires that any request to seek public comments on a final EIS under the National Environmental Policy Act be submitted for approval by the ASA(CW). In these instances, vertical team coordination should occur prior to the Command Validation Milestone after public comments on the draft EIS have been consolidated.
    • Procedural Clarification Regarding Environmental Documentation for Project Information Reports
      This memorandum clarifies that, during completion of Project Information Reports (PIRs), District Commanders will consider the probable environmental consequences when determining the recommended alternative for rehabilitation assistance projects and describe proposed NEPA documentation or exclusion, as appropriate. This memorandum provides PIR paragraph templates for various sections of the report.
    • Air Quality Analysis Sub-Community of Practice Corps Castle
      The USACE Air Quality Analysis sub-CoP provides technical solutions, tools, and information for USACE teams performing air quality analyses for Clean Air Act and National Environmental Policy Act compliance.
    • Interim Army Policy for Implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act
      This memorandum provides interim policy for Army implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 42 USC 4321 et seq; Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), Memorandum for Heads of Federal Departments and Agencies, subject: Implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act, 19 February 2025; and 32 CFR Part 651, Environmental Analysis of Army Actions, 29 March 2002. Additionally, this memorandum rescinds and replaces Army memoranda Environmental Justice Policy, 19 January 2021; Implementation of Council on Environmental Quality Revisions to National Environmental Policy Act Regulations, 19 May 2022; Consideration of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Effects of Climate Change in Army National Environmental Policy Act Reviews, 27 June 2023; and Interim Policy and Guidance - Army Implementation of Council on Environmental Quality's National Environmental Policy Act Regulations, 1 July 2024.
    • Engineer Regulation 1105-2-100: Planning Guidance Notebook
      The Planning Guidance Notebook provides the overall direction by which the Corps of Engineers civil works projects are formulated, evaluated, and selected for overall implementation. ER 1105-2-100, the Planning Guidance Notebook, will be superseded by several different pieces of new guidance. This April 2025 version of the ER contains the elements of the Planning Guidance Notebook that are still in effect (Chapter 4 and Appendices C, D, and G and parts of Appendix E).
    • Engineer Regulation 200-2-2: Procedures for Implementing NEPA
      ER 200-2-2 mirrors 33 CFR 230 (Procedures for Implementing NEPA), which is being withdrawn on 3 July 2025. Only sections .2 and .9 remain (and .2 has been slightly modified). 33 CFR 230 was replaced by the U.S. Department of Defense NEPA Implementing Procedures, available at: https://www.denix.osd.mil/nepa
    • Engineer Regulation 25-1-98: Publications in the Federal Register
      This regulation prescribes policies, procedures and responsibilities for submitting U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) documents to the U.S. Army Publications and Printing Command (USAPPC) for publishing in the Federal Register (FR).
    • Environmental Evaluation and Compliance within the SMART Planning Framework
      Discussion paper highlighting and clarifying opportunities to encourage efficient and thorough environmental evaluation and compliance in support of the SMART Planning framework.
    • Implementation Guidance for Section 1005 of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (WRRDA 2014), Project Acceleration
      Section 1005 WRRDA 2014 (Public Law 113-121) modifies Section 2045 of the WRDA 2007 (33 USC 2348) and in general directs that the Secretary shall develop and implement a coordinated environmental review process for the development of project studies. This guidance applies to all feasibility studies for proposed water resources development projects that will require specific authorization if the feasibility cost share agreement (FCSA) for the study was executed after enactment of WRRDA 2014 (10 June 2014) and for which an environmental impact statement (EIS) is prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 USC 4321 et seq.) (NEPA). The guidance also applies to feasibility studies initiated after enactment of WRRDA 2014 but that do not require a FCSA. It may also apply to other project studies initiated after enactment of WRRDA 2014 that require an environmental assessment, categorical exclusion, or other document under NEPA if determined appropriate by the Secretary. The guidance provides timelines and instruction to project delivery teams (PDTs) for engaging with federal, state, and local government agencies and Indian tribes on the environmental review process.
    • SMART Planning Feasibility Study Process Overlaid with Major Environmental Compliance Processes
      One page diagram of the SMART Planning feasibility study process timeline (milestones and phases) overlaid with NEPA, the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (FWCA), Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA), and Endangered Species Act (ESA) actions.
    • Engineer Regulation 1105-2-103: Policy for Conducting Civil Works Planning Studies
      This regulation provides overall direction by which USACE formulates, evaluates, and recommends projects for implementation and other actions to address water resources problems through the Army Civil Works program. The planning process must address the Nation's water resources needs in a systems context and seek to identify innovative alternatives for application across the full range of the USACE programs and authorities. In parallel with the development of these important planning concepts, this regulation is also intended to be useful for those outside of the USACE (or non-federal partners) authorized to develop water resources projects (Title 33, Section 2231 of U.S. Code (33 USC 2231)). ER 1105-2-1103 supersedes ER 1105-2-100, Chapters 1, 2, and 3, dated 22 April 2000.
    • Environmental Evaluation And Compliance Process Diagram
      One page diagram of the SMART Planning feasibility study process timeline (milestones and phases) noting significant environmental evaluation and compliance tasks and products developed during the feasibility study process.
    • SMART Planning Feasibility Studies: A Guide to Coordination and Engagement with the Services
      This guide was developed through a collaboration between the Corps, USFWS and NMFS. The Guide provides an overview of the SMART Planning process and demonstrates how key environmental coordination and compliance activities fit into that process. The Guide highlights opportunities for engagement and coordination at all stages of a planning study, re-emphasizing the need for early coordination.
    • Insight into elevating: Elevating Historic Buildings for Flood Resilience
      Developed by the USACE Technical Center of Expertise for the Preservation of Historic Buildings and Structures, this guide provides visual examples of elevated historic buildings in flood prone areas, considering 4-foot and 10-foot elevations visualizing different ideas, concepts, and appropriate materials for elevating based on architectural style.
    • Delegation of Signature Authority for Federal Register Documents for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
      This memorandum from the Assistant Secretary of the Army Civil Works outlines the delegation of signature authority for regulations, notices, and guidance documents to various USACE entities for publishing in the Federal Register.

  • Federal Level Information
    • Comprehensive List of Federal Categorical Exclusions
      The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has developed a comprehensive list of the Federal agencies' Categorical Exclusions (CEs). This resource is intended to assist agencies in revising their CEs, as well as to help CEQ in reviewing proposed revisions, by identifying how similar classes of actions are treated in the CEs established by various agencies.
    • CEQ NEPA Unique ID Generator
      This Excel worksheet allows USACE planners to generate unique IDs for NEPA environmental documents. This unique ID may be placed on the cover of every environmental document, directly under the project title. If used, this ID should also be included on the cover/first page of NEPA-supporting appendices and other potentially separate elements of the environmental document. Instructions for use are on the first tab of the worksheet.
    • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) NEPA Website
      EPA reviews and comments on EISs prepared by other federal agencies and maintains a national filing system for all EISs. Website also includes directions on how to electronically submit an EIS to EPA's e-NEPA database.
    • Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) NEPA Website
      The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) consolidated website for the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) includes legislative language, up-to-date regulations, guidance, and CEQ handbooks and reports. The website provides the most up-to-date information on NEPA implementation including amendments to NEPA from the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 and the Phase 2 NEPA Rule published on 1 May 2024 and effective 1 July 2024. This website also includes information useful for the public and federal agencies.
    • Federal Infrastructure Projects Permitting Dashboard
      The Permitting Dashboard is an online tool for Federal agencies, project developers, and interested members of the public to track the Federal government's environmental review and authorization processes for large or complex infrastructure projects, part of a government-wide effort to improve coordination, transparency, and accountability. USACE feasibility studies that include an EIS and a likely total investment of more than $200M may (but are not required to) be included on the dashboard as "other tracked projects."
    • CEQ NEPA Guidance Documents
      Collection of CEQ guidance for agencies implementing NEPA. To the extent that CEQ-issued guidance is in conflict with the updated regulations, the provisions of current NEPA regulations in the CFR apply.
    • Digitally Signing Federal Register Submission Documents
      A step by step guide for digitally signing documents submitted to the Federal Register, including how to add an electronic signature to MS Word documents, accepted file types, and how to include multiple signatories.
    • Guidance for Federal Departments and Agencies on Indigenous Knowledge
      The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) have jointly published government-wide guidance and an accompanying implementation memorandum for Federal Agencies on recognizing and including Indigenous Knowledge in Federal research, policy, and decision making. Indigenous Knowledge is a body of observations, oral and written knowledge, innovations, practices, and beliefs developed by Tribes and Indigenous Peoples through interaction and experience with the environment. This policy provides guidance for federal agencies considering and applying Indigenous Knowledge in making decisions with Tribal or Indigenous implications.

  • NEPA, Collaboration, and Public Involvement

  • NEPA, Learn More About NEPA and NEPA Implementation

  • Section 106 and Environmental Impact Statement Flow Chart
      This flow chart provides updated citations and definitions for the integration of NEPA and Section 106 reviews as a supplement to NEPA and NHPA: A Handbook for Integrating NEPA and Section 106.

  • USACE NEPA Decision Document Guidance
    • National Environmental Policy Act Decision Documents Memo
      This ASA(CW) memorandum requires USACE to adopt the use of consistent templates for Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Records of Decision (ROD) NEPA decision documents. Use of the templates will allow for consistent and predictable documentation for projects. Any requested modification of the template FONSI or ROD for a project will be coordinated with the Deputy ASA for Project Planning and Review and staff, with final approval by the ASA(CW), prior to submittal.
    • National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Categorical Exclusions Survey
      In 2018, USACE compiled information on the use of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) categorical exclusions by the districts, including frequency of use of categorical exclusions and the exclusion categories most frequently used in NEPA compliance for all activities including planning studies, operations and maintenance work, real estate outgrants, and Section 408 reviews.
    • Record of Decision (ROD) Template
      This Word document is the required template to prepare a feasibility study Record of Decision (ROD). HQUSACE Office of Water Policy Review and Office of Counsel need to be consulted on when it is appropriate to deviate from the required template language. Additional language to meet project specific needs may be added.
    • Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) Template
      This Word document is the required template to prepare a feasibility study Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). HQUSACE Office of Water Policy Review and Office of Counsel need to be consulted on when it is appropriate to deviate from the required template language. Additional language to meet project specific needs may be added.
    • Template for Record of Environmental Consideration, Documentation for Categorical Exclusion (CE) under NEPA Corps Castle
      This template is for use in development of the Memorandum for Record (MFR) of environmental consideration and documentation for Categorical Exclusion under NEPA.

Corps Castle Item is restricted to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, CAC required. Document will open in a new window.

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Updated: July 2025