FINAL DHS NEPA POLICY INCLUDES NEW EXEMPTIONS FOR DISASTER CLEANUPS

The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) just-released directive for implementing National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) rules includes broad new categorical exclusions for disaster cleanups and other department activities, exemptions that critics say show the department is not considering environmental concerns brought to light following Hurricane Katrina. The directive is likely to face a legal challenge on the range of activities the department has excluded from NEPA study requirements, including disaster response activities. Critics, including Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), had challenged...