# 2025-00452: Government Agencies Share Environmental Paperwork Shortcuts Like Trading Cards

2025-00452, Notice of Adoption of Categorical Exclusions Under Section 109 of the National Environmental Policy Act, is a Federal Register notice from an unnamed agency published 2025-01-15, effective 2025-01-15 (as of 2026-06-08).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-00452
- As of: 2026-06-08
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2025-00452
- Title: Notice of Adoption of Categorical Exclusions Under Section 109 of the National Environmental Policy Act
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: unknown
- Citation: unknown
- Published: 2025-01-15
- Effective: 2025-01-15
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-08

## In one line

Government Agencies Share Environmental Paperwork Shortcuts Like Trading Cards

## Summary

Starting January 15, 2025, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will use special shortcuts called categorical exclusions to speed up decisions on certain land actions, like temporary closures and protecting water areas. This change affects visitors and wildlife lovers by helping BLM protect public lands faster without extra paperwork. It’s a smart move to keep our parks and waters safe while saving time and resources.

## Abstract

The Department of the Interior is notifying the public and documenting the adoption of two U.S. Forest Service, one National Park Service, and three U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service categorical exclusions (CXs) by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), under section 109 of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). In accordance with section 109, this notice identifies the types of actions to which the BLM will apply the CXs, the considerations that the BLM will use in determining the applicability of the CXs, and the consultation between the agencies on the use of the CXs, including application of extraordinary circumstances.

## Effects PRIA read

- Faster Temporary Closures for Safety: mixed, low. Starting January 15, 2025, the BLM will use an adopted National Park Service categorical exclusion to approve temporary closures or restrictions on public lands (roads, trails, waterways, or specific areas) to protect people, property, and resources without preparing an environmental assessment or…
- Quicker Aquatic Habitat Work: benefit, low. As of January 15, 2025, the BLM will adopt U.S. Forest Service categorical exclusions to modify or maintain existing stream or lake habitat structures and to restore wetlands, streams, riparian areas, and other water bodies without preparing an EA or EIS, provided no extraordinary circumstances app…
- Streamlined Land Acquisitions: benefit, low. Beginning January 15, 2025, the BLM will use an adopted Fish and Wildlife Service categorical exclusion for acquisition of real property (purchase, exchange, donation, easements, etc.) from willing sellers when funding and plan support exist, enabling such acquisitions to proceed without an EA or E…
- Faster Small Rights‑of‑Way Permits: benefit, medium. Effective January 15, 2025, the BLM will adopt a Fish and Wildlife Service categorical exclusion for issuing or reissuing permits for limited additional use of existing rights‑of‑way (examples: single power poles, fiber optic cable on existing structures, authorizing development of a domestic water…
- Extraordinary Circumstances Still Require Review: cost, medium. The BLM will apply the adopted categorical exclusions only when no extraordinary circumstances (as listed at 43 CFR 46.215, e.g., effects on listed species, wetlands, floodplains, historic properties, low‑income or minority populations) are present; if such circumstances exist the action must be an…

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## Sources
- [2025-00452 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/15/2025-00452/notice-of-adoption-of-categorical-exclusions-under-section-109-of-the-national-environmental-policy)
- [2025-00452 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-01-15/pdf/2025-00452.pdf)

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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-00452 (as of 2026-06-08).