NASA Tweaks How It Checks Environmental Impact
Published Date: 7/1/2026
Rule
Summary
NASA is updating its rules for how it checks the environmental impact of its projects to make the process clearer and faster for everyone involved. This change affects NASA staff, project partners, and the public by providing new guidelines and updated lists of projects that don’t need detailed reviews. The new rules take effect on August 17, 2026, and NASA is asking for public comments by July 31, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
19 External Categorical Exclusions Adopted
NASA updated its list of categorical exclusions to incorporate nineteen previously adopted categorical exclusions from agencies including the FRA, DOE, NTIA, USCG, USFS, USAF, DAF, Department of the Navy, MDA, DTRA, and FBI. Notices of these adoptions were published at 89 FR 31772 (Apr. 25, 2024) and 91 FR 7535 (Feb. 18, 2026). These adoptions are included in NASA's revised NEPA implementing procedures effective August 17, 2026, and may allow applicable projects to be screened out of detailed NEPA review by applying the adopted exclusions.
Non‑Federal Sponsors May Prepare NEPA Documents
If you are a non‑Federal project sponsor proposing an action on NASA property, you may prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement under NASA supervision. NASA will coordinate early with sponsors, set schedules consistent with NEPA deadlines, and may authorize preparatory activities (for example, land acquisition or purchase of long lead‑time equipment) under the revised procedures effective August 17, 2026.
New Page and Time Limits for NEPA Documents
NASA's revised procedures implement page limits and deadlines for preparation of environmental assessments and environmental impact statements (see subparts 1216.4 and 1216.5). These limits are part of the rule that takes effect August 17, 2026, and are intended to promote timelier, more predictable environmental reviews.
Optional Paid Expedited NEPA Review
Congress added section 112 to NEPA (as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) allowing project sponsors to pay a fee to obtain shortened NEPA review. NASA's revised regulations reflect the statutory amendment and thus may allow project sponsors to opt in to fee‑based expedited NEPA reviews under the new procedures effective August 17, 2026.
Two Administrative Exclusions Removed
NASA removed two administrative categorical exclusions previously listed at Sec. 1216.304(d)(1)(ii) and (v) for 'issuing procedural rules, manuals, directives, and requirements' and for 'information‑gathering exercises, such as inventories, audits, and studies.' NASA states these categories fall outside NEPA's definition for major Federal action, so NEPA does not apply to those categories under the revised procedures effective August 17, 2026.
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