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Environment

Last Updated: | Publication

FINAL EA for Maritime Environmental Data Sampling System

DHS S&T prepared this Environmental Assessment to evaluate the potential impacts to the human and natural environment resulting from S&T’s proposal to deploy and operate a submerged cable and includes potential recovery, abandonment in place or continued operations in the waters of the Strait of Georgia and Semiahmoo Bay, Washington, near the Northern border with Canada. 

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Environmental Permitting

DHS serves as a member of the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council), created under Title 41 of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST-41) Act of 2015. FAST-41 created a governance structure, set of procedures, and funding authorities designed to improve the timeliness, predictability, and transparency of the Federal environmental review and authorization process for covered infrastructure projects. To be eligible for the voluntary FAST-41 program, a “covered project” must be categorized within one of eighteen (18) specific infrastructure sectors and meet at least one of the four sets of criteria. 

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DHS Application of Categorical Exclusions

Information regarding DHS’s application of adopted categorical exclusions can be found below (40 CFR 1501.4 (e)(5)). 

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18 New Categorical Exclusions

Pursuant to section 109 of the National Environmental Policy Act, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) adopted 18 Department of Energy's (DOE) categorical exclusions (CEs) to use for proposed DHS actions. 

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Electric Vehicle Charging Station Categorical Exclusion

Pursuant to section 109 of the National Environmental Policy Act, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) adopted the Department of Energy's (DOE) electric vehicle charging stations categorical exclusion (CE) to use for proposed DHS actions. 

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DHS Adopted Categorical Exclusions

Section 109 of NEPA, enacted as part of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, allows a Federal agency to “adopt a categorical exclusion listed in another agency's NEPA procedures for a category of proposed agency actions for which the categorical exclusion was established” (42 U.S.C. 4336c). 

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DHS Cultural Resources Directive and Instruction

Cultural resources are vital remnants of the past, telling the collective stories of our Nation and its diverse peoples. The DHS Cultural Resources Directive and Instruction emphasize the importance of preserving these resources. 

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Historic Preservation & Cultural Resources

Cultural resources are important remnants of the past and tell the collective stories of our Nation, and all the many peoples and cultures that live here.

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Natural Resources

DHS complies with laws like the Endangered Species Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, and Migratory Bird Treaty Act to protect and preserve natural habitats and wildlife. DHS is committed to partnerships with federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial entities.

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Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation

Sustainability and Environmental Programs (SEP), part of the Office of the Chief Readiness Support Officer, oversees the Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation (EPHP) Program for the Department.