NNSS employee in EM lab

Compliance

NNSS employee in EM lab

Environmental Compliance and Occurrences

All NNSS activities are conducted in accordance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations and policies. These numerous environmental drivers govern how the NNSS protects the public and the environment while accomplishing mission work.

Compliance Status
The compliance status of these drivers is summarized in Chapter 2 of the most recently published NNSS Environmental Report.

National Environmental Policy Act Information
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and its implementing procedures require federal agencies to integrate environmental values into their decision-making process by considering the environmental impacts of their proposed actions and reasonable alternatives for implementing those actions. All work conducted at the NNSS must first be evaluated for compliance with the NEPA. Activities must be previously analyzed in an Environmental Impact Statement, Environmental Assessment, or in 10 CFR Part 1021 DOE NEPA Implementing Procedures.

Categorical Exclusions
Categorical exclusions are types of actions the DOE has determined do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the environment. Therefore, these actions do not require an Environmental Impact Statement or an Environmental Assessment. Under DOE’s 10 CFR Part 1021 DOE NEPA Implementing Procedures Subpart D, a proposed activity can be categorically excluded from further NEPA review if it falls within any of the classes of action analyzed and documented in 10 CFR Part 1021 DOE NEPA Implementing Procedures and determined will not significantly impact the environment.

Under an October 2, 2009, policy memorandum, each DOE Program and Field Office will document and post online all categorical exclusion determinations involving classes of actions listed in 10 CFR Part 1021 DOE NEPA Implementing Procedures Subpart D, Appendix B of the Department’s NEPA implementing procedures. However, posted categorical exclusion determinations will not contain information exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, such as classified, trade secrets, or commercial or financial information.

Categorical Exclusions: