The U.S. Council on Environmental Quality recently released plans to substantially revise the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), one of the most important U.S. environmental laws. AFS and other science societies requested an extension of the comment period for these revisions. Comments can be submitted by March 10, 2020 at https://www.regulations.gov/comment?D=CEQ-2019-0003-0001.
American Fisheries Society · American Institute of Biological Sciences · Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography · Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation · Ecological Society of America · Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society · International Association for Great Lakes Research · North American Lake Management Society · Society for Ecological Restoration · Society for Freshwater Science · Society of American Foresters · Society of Wetland Scientists · The Wildlife Society
February 11, 2020
Ms. Mary Neumayr
Chair
Council on Environmental Quality
730 Jackson Place, N.W.
Washington, DC 20503
Mr. Edward A. Boling
Associate Director for the National Environmental Policy Act
Council on Environmental Quality
730 Jackson Place, N.W.
Washington, DC 20503
Via regulations.gov
Re: Request for 120-day Comment Period on Update to the Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); Docket No. CEQ-2019-0003
Dear Ms. Neumayr and Mr. Boling:
On behalf of the undersigned scientific societies, we respectfully urge you to extend the period during which you will accept public comment on the proposed changes for implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Docket No. CEQ-2019-0003, published in the Federal Register on January 10, 2020. At a minimum, a 120-day comment period for a rulemaking of this nature is called for due to the complexity and importance of the proposed rule.
The undersigned scientific societies represent more than 200,000 individuals with diverse areas of expertise in natural resource sciences and work in the private sector, academia, and various tribal, state and federal agencies. We support science-based policy making, and work to advance healthy ecosystems for the critical maintenance of wildlife, fisheries, ecosystem services, and biodiversity.
Although the Administrative Procedure Act (APA; 5 U.S.C. §§ 551-559) does not specify a minimum period for solicitation of comments, the duration of a comment period often varies with the complexity of the proposed rule. The proposed changes to NEPA’s implementation guidelines are widely viewed as a regulatory overhaul to this landmark environmental law. This rule represents a significant shift in policy and the development of new language, interpretations, requirements, and procedures that will affect fish, wildlife, and forests. Narrowing the scope of environmental review for federal actions will have far-reaching implications for natural resources, including wildlife, fish, aquatic animals, forests, and ecosystems on which we all depend.
In order to properly understand and meaningfully respond to the major changes contemplated, a minimum of a 120-day comment period is warranted for an appropriate review.
Thank you for considering this request. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Drue Banta Winters by email at [email protected] or telephone at 301-897-8616.
Sincerely,
American Fisheries Society
American Institute of Biological Sciences
Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography
Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation
Ecological Society of America
Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society
International Association for Great Lakes Research
North American Lake Management Society
Society for Ecological Restoration
Society for Freshwater Science
Society of American Foresters
Society of Wetland Scientists
The Wildlife Society
