Categorical Exclusions from Environmental Review

This rulemaking would amend the NRC's regulations describing the categories of actions that normally do not have significant effects and therefore do not require preparation of an environmental assessment (EA) or environmental impact statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). The purpose of this rule would be to eliminate the unnecessary preparation of an EA or EIS for actions where no significant environmental impacts are expected. This rule would directly impact the NRC and indirectly impact its licensees.