42 U.S.C. § 4336e — Definitions

In this subchapter: (1) Categorical exclusion the term “categorical exclusion” means a category of actions that a Federal agency has determined normally does not significantly affect the quality of the human environment within the meaning of section 4332(2)(C) of this title . (2) Cooperating agency the term “cooperating agency” means any Federal, State, Tribal, or local agency that has been designated as a cooperating agency under section 4336a(a)(3) of this title . (3) Council the term “Council” means the Council on Environmental Quality established in subchapter II. (4) Environmental assessment the term “environmental assessment” means an environmental assessment prepared under section 4336(b)(2) of this title . (5) Environmental document the term “environmental document” means an environmental impact statement, an environmental assessment, or a finding of no significant impact. (6) Environmental impact statement the term “environmental impact statement” means a detailed written statement that is required by section 4332(2)(C) of this title . (7) Finding of no significant impact the term “finding of no significant impact” means a determination by a Federal agency that a proposed agency action does not require the issuance of an environmental impact statement. (8) Participating Federal agency the term “participating Federal agency” means a Federal agency participating in an environmental review or authorization of an action. (9) Lead agency the term “lead agency” means, about a proposed agency action— (A) the agency that proposed such action; or (B) if there are 2 or more involved Federal agencies about such action, the agency designated under section 4336a(a)(1) of this title . (10) Major Federal action (A) In general the term “major Federal action” means an action that the agency carrying out such action determines is subject to substantial Federal control and responsibility. (B) Exclusion the term “major Federal action” does not include— (i) a non-Federal action— (I) with no or minimal Federal funding; or (II) with no or minimal Federal involvement where a Federal agency cannot control the outcome of the project; (ii) funding assistance solely in the form of general revenue sharing funds which do not provide Federal agency compliance or enforcement responsibility over the subsequent use of such funds; (iii) loans, loan guarantees, or other forms of financial assistance where a Federal agency does not exercise sufficient control and responsibility over the subsequent use of such financial assistance or the effect of the action; (iv) business loan guarantees provided by the Small Business Administration under section 7(a) or (b) and 1 of the Small Business Act ( U.S.C. 636(a)), 2 or title V of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 ( 15 U.S.C. 695 et seq.); (v) bringing judicial or administrative civil or criminal enforcement actions; (vi) extraterritorial activities or decisions, which means agency activities or decisions with effects located entirely outside of the jurisdiction of the United States; or (vii) activities or decisions that are non-discretionary and made under the agency’s statutory authority. (11) Programmatic environmental document the term “programmatic environmental document” means an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment analyzing all or some of the environmental effects of a policy, program, plan, or group of related actions. (12) Proposal the term “proposal” means a proposed action at a stage when an agency has a goal, is actively preparing to make a decision on one or more alternative means of accomplishing that goal, and can meaningfully evaluate its effects. (13) Special expertise the term “special expertise” means statutory responsibility, agency mission, or related program experience.