The bipartisan budget agreement includes nearly all of the structural components of the BUILDER Act, which APWA President Keith Pugh testified in support of in February before Congress as part of efforts to streamline the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process;
These are the most significant NEPA reforms since 1982 and include:
Implementation of the One Federal Decision for all NEPA-reviewed projects, designation of a lead agency to set a permitting schedule and use of a single document for reviews involving multiple agencies.
Setting page and time limits for the completion of environmental documents and providing a right of action to project applicants if the agency does not adhere to deadlines.
Permitting project sponsors to assist agencies conduct reviews to expedite the process.
Allowing agencies to adopt categorical exclusions used by other agencies through a streamlined process.
Clarifying the definition of a “major federal action” under NEPA, including a list of actions that do not qualify as such.
The only significant part of the BUILDER Act not included was judicial review, which is to be considered as part of a separate agreement later this year.
For a visual reference of the process and changes, click here.
