The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is the federal government's charter for protection of the human environment. Through NEPA, Congress directed federal agencies to integrate environmental considerations into their planning and decision making. The NEPA process provides agency decision makers and the public with an understanding of the potential environmental impacts of proposed actions.
In accordance with NEPA, DHS prepares environmental documentation to identify and assess the potential for environmental impacts associated with proposed DHS activities and projects. NEPA documents include Environmental Assessments (EA), Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSI), Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), and Records of Decision (ROD). As a part of the process, DHS works in a collaborative manner with diverse stakeholders including local and state government, Native American Tribes, Federal land managers, and the interested public to identify, understand, and, to the extent possible, minimize impacts to the environment. DHS invites members of the public to participate in the Department's NEPA process by reviewing documents and findings issued by the Department and providing comments during the public comment period.
Environmental Impact Statements
- There are currently no additional Environmental Impact Statements available for public review and comment. Please check the CBP, FEMA, and USCG environmental websites for additional documents.
Environmental Assessments
- DHS has prepared a notice of intent to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the Nationwide Operation of Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems. DHS proposes to perform research, development, testing, and evaluation of counter unmanned aircraft systems, and conduct operational and training activities to support existing and emerging DHS mission requirements nationwide (Proposed Action). DHS is seeking stakeholder input regarding any information or potential environmental concerns associated with the Proposed Action. Additionally, DHS invites agencies with jurisdiction by law and/or special expertise with respect to the environmental issues of this proposed action to formally cooperate with DHS in the preparation of the PEA. Please provide any comments, concerns, information, studies, or other data you may have regarding the Proposed Action by April 6th, 2025. If you have comments or information relevant to the development of the PEA, please direct your correspondence to Natalie Kisak at Natalie.kisak@aecom.com or to DHS Sustainability and Environmental Program at sep-ephp@hq.dhs.gov.
The notice of intent was published on the Federal Register and can be found at: Federal Register: Public Inspection: Environmental Assessments; Availability, etc.: Nationwide Operation of Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Additionally, the scoping notice is available for review and comment at Regulations.gov under Docket No. DHS-2025-0009.
- Scoping Letter for the Programmatic Environmental Assessment of the Nationwide Operation of Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems by the Department of Homeland Security
Other Documents for Public Review
Other NEPA documents are available in the NEPA Archive.
- Executive Order 13604 Agency Plan (PDF, 9 pages, 371 KB)
- DHS Directive 023-01, Rev 01 "Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act" (effective March 26, 2015)
- Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev 01 "Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act" (effective March 26, 2015, administrative revisions effective October 13, 2017)
- Administrative Revisions to Instruction 023-01-001 Rev 01 (October 2017)
In accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Section 109, enacted as part of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is adopting the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Categorical Exclusion (CE) B5.23. Section 109 allows a Federal agency to adopt a CE listed in another agency’s NEPA procedures for a category of proposed agency actions for which the CE was established. 42 U.S.C. 4336c.
To adopt another agency’s CE under Section 109, an agency must identify the relevant CE listed in that agency’s (“establishing agency”) NEPA procedures that cover its category of proposed actions or related actions; consult with the establishing agency to ensure that the proposed adoption of the CE to a category of actions is appropriate; identify to the public the CE that the agency plans to use for its proposed actions; and document adoption of the CE. Id.
DOE’s NEPA procedures codify CE B5.23 in 10 CFR part 1021, Subpart D, Appendix B.