National Environmental Policy Act Policies and Guidance

EPA has prepared policies and guidance for carrying out its responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and reviews under Section 309 of the Clean Air Act. These documents discuss the specific technical issues EPA looks for in NEPA documents. To learn more, select the topic from the list below.

Please note that the documents on this page are under review for consistency with recent changes to Executive Orders, laws, and regulations.  These documents should be read in accordance with all current Executive Orders, laws, and regulations.

Air Quality

• Using the MOVES and EMFAC Emissions Models in NEPA Evaluations (pdf) (678.91 KB)
• Reflecting the Revised PM 2.5 National Ambient Air Quality Standard in NEPA Evaluations (pdf) (92.77 KB)

Crude Oil and Natural Gas

• Background for NEPA Reviewers: Crude Oil and Natural Gas Exploration, Development,and Production (pdf) (6.43 MB)

Ecological Processes/Impacts

• Evaluation of Ecological Impacts from Highway Development (pdf) (5.08 MB)
• Considering Ecological Processes in Environmental Impact Assessments (pdf) (265.54 KB)

Energy Efficiency

• Energy Efficiency Reference for Environmental Reviewers (pdf) (3.3 MB, March 2010, 315-R-09-001)
• Incorporating Energy Efficiency and Conservation in the NEPA Process (pdf) (4.36 MB, November 1994)

Fishery Management

• Reviewing Environmental Impact Statements for Fishery Management Plans (pdf) (2.32 MB)

Grazing

• Background for NEPA Reviewers: Grazing on Federal Lands (pdf) (3.66 MB)

Habitat

• Habitat Evaluation: Guidance for the Review of Environmental Impact Assessment Documents (pdf) (9.28 MB)

Health Impact Assessment

• Promoting the Use of Health Impact Assessment to Address Human Health in Reviews Conducted Pursuant to the NEPA and Section 309 of the Clean Air Act (pdf) (358.5 KB, November 10, 2015)

Mining

• Background for NEPA Reviewers: Non-Coal Mining Operations (pdf) (394.5 KB)

Natural Gas Pipelines

• Interagency Agreement on Early Coordination of Environmental Reviews of Natural Gas Pipelines (pdf) (524.98 KB)

Nuclear Power Plants

• Section 309 Reviewers Guidance for New Nuclear Power Plant Environmental Impact Statements (pdf) (1.6 MB)

Pollution Prevention

• Guidance on Incorporating EPA's Pollution Prevention Strategy into the Environmental Review Process (pdf) (972.4 KB)
• Pollution Prevention - Environmental Impact Reduction Checklist for NEPA/309 Reviewers (pdf) (508.54 KB)