Applying NEPA early.

§ 46.200 Applying NEPA early. (a) For any potentially major proposed Federal action (40 CFR 1508.23 and 1508.18) that may have potentially significant environmental impacts, bureaus must coordinate, as early as feasible, with: (1) Any other bureaus or Federal agencies, State, local, and tribal governments having jurisdiction by law or special expertise; and (2) Appropriate Federal, State, local, and tribal governments authorized to develop and enforce environmental standards or to manage and protect natural resources or other aspects of the human environment. (b) Bureaus must solicit the participation of all those persons or organizations that may be interested or affected as early as possible, such as at the time an application is received or when the bureau initiates the NEPA process for a proposed action. (c) Bureaus should provide, where practicable, any appropriate community-based training to reduce costs, prevent delays, and facilitate and promote efficiency in the NEPA process. (d) Bureaus should inform private or non-Federal applicants, to the extent feasible, of: (1) Any appropriate environmental information that the applicants must include in their applications; and (2) Any consultation with other Federal agencies, or State, local, or tribal governments that the applicant must accomplish before or during the application process. (e) Bureaus must inform applicants as soon as practicable of any responsibility they will bear for funding environmental analyses associated with their proposals.