§6.704 Categorical exclusions.

(a) At the beginning of the environmental review process (see Figure 1), the appropriate program official shall determine whether an ORD project can be categorically excluded from the substantive requirements of a NEPA review. This determination shall be based on general criteria in §6.107(d) and specialized categories of ORD actions eligible for exclusion in §6.704(b). If the appropriate program official determines that an ORD project is consistent with the general criteria and any of the specialized categories of eligible activities, and does not satisfy the criteria in §6.107(e) for not granting a categorical exclusion, then this finding shall be documented and no further action shall be required. A categorical exclusion shall be revoked by the appropriate program official if it is determined that the project meets the criteria for revocation in §6.107(c). Projects that fail to qualify for categorical exclusion or for which categorical exclusion has been revoked must undergo full environmental review in accordance with §6.705 and §6.706.

(b) The following specialized categories of ORD actions are eligible for categorical exclusion from a detailed NEPA review:

(1) Library or literature searches and studies;

(2) Computer studies and activities;

(3) Monitoring and sample collection wherein no significant alteration of existing ambient conditions occurs;

(4) Projects conducted completely within a contained facility, such as a laboratory or other enclosed building, where methods are employed for appropriate disposal of laboratory wastes and safeguards exist against hazardous, toxic, and radioactive materials entering the environment. Laboratory directors or other appropriate officials must certify and provide documentation that the laboratory follows good laboratory practices and adheres to applicable Federal statutes, regulations and guidelines.