CEQ Issues Guidance on Emergencies and the National Environmental Policy Act

Expediting Emergency Actions for Agencies

Today, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) issued new NEPA emergency guidance designed to ensure federal agencies have the tools and support needed to act immediately in emergency situations.

The guidance provides clarity to Federal agencies on how to comply with NEPA when responding to emergency situations. Examples of such emergencies include catastrophic wildfires, threats to species and their habitat, economic crises, infectious disease outbreaks, and states of emergency declared by the President.

"With the issuance of this emergency guidance, CEQ is helping federal agencies provide rapid response and delivery of assistance to the American people when they need it the most," said Council on Environmental Quality Chairman Katherine Scarlett. "Whether responding to unforeseen events or other states of emergency, agencies need to be able to act fast and take necessary actions to control the immediate impacts of the emergency without getting bogged down in bureaucratic hurdles."

The guidance provides step-by-step direction for agencies to fully utilize all tools at their disposal to meet the moment, while ensuring all necessary legal requirements and environmental considerations are fully addressed.

CEQ has over 50 years of experience assisting agencies in implementing NEPA during emergency situations. With this guidance, CEQ advances this Administration's priorities consistent with NEPA.