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USDA/RUS RIN: 0572-AC68 Publication ID: Fall 2024 
Title: ●Updates to Rural Development Environmental Policies and Procedures 
Abstract:

Rural Development (RD) intends to publish a proposed rule to update its Environmental Policies and Procedures in 7 CFR part 1970 which became effective April 1, 2016.  The purpose of this regulation update is for RD to continue to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.) and all applicable environmental requirements and updating and modernizing the requirements to align with oversight entities, including CEQ.  The update will help clarify for staff and applicants the need to base policy decisions on the environmental consequences of proposed actions, and act to protect, restore and enhance the quality of the human environment. This regulation is applicable to programs administered by the Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBS), Rural Housing Service (RHS), and Rural Utilities Service (RUS); herein referred to as the Agency (7 CFR 1970.1(b)).  Since implementation of this regulation, Agency internal and external customers have consistently requested additional guidance on numerous regulation provisions. This proposed action to update and re-write the regulation recommends additional guidance to clarify provisions in the regulation and comply with Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ) policy updates that became effective July 1, 2024.

  

 
Agency: Department of Agriculture(USDA)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 40 CFR 1500 -1508    7 CFR 1970   
Legal Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6941 et seq.    42 U.S.C. 4241 et seq.    5 U.S.C. 301    7 U.S.C. 1989    42 U.S.C. 1480   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
Proposed Rule  06/00/2025 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Gary Bojes
Senior Financial Economist
Department of Agriculture
Rural Utilities Service
14th and Independence Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20250
Phone:202 720-1265
Email: gary.bojes@usda.gov