Us Congress House Bill HB1430

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/23
• Refer: 3/7/23
• Refer: 4/25/23

Caption

Determination of NEPA Adequacy Streamlining Act

Impact

The implementation of HB1430 is expected to have significant implications on state and federal regulatory procedures, particularly in the realms of land management and environmental protection. By allowing the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to determine the adequacy of prior documents, this bill could enhance operational efficiency within federal agencies, reduce delays in project approvals, and potentially lower costs associated with redundant studies. Proponents argue that this could facilitate quicker implementations of projects that are critical for infrastructure and economic development while still adhering to environmental standards.

Summary

House Bill 1430, known as the 'Determination of NEPA Adequacy Streamlining Act', seeks to direct the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to utilize certain previously completed environmental assessments and environmental impact statements to fulfill the review requirements set forth by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). This bill is designed to expedite the federal environmental review process by permitting certain major federal actions to lean on previously completed environmental evaluations rather than conducting new reviews when proposed actions are similar to prior analyses.

Contention

Despite its intended benefits, the bill faces criticism concerning potential environmental risks. Opponents argue that streamlining the review process could compromise thorough environmental evaluations, leading to insufficient scrutiny of proposed actions that may have significant adverse impacts. They express concerns that reliance on past documents may overlook new data or current conditions that necessitate updated assessments. This contention indicates a broader debate around balancing the need for economic development and timely project implementation against the necessity to uphold robust environmental protections.