The NEPA process addresses impacts of Federal actions on the human environment, including noise, socioeconomic, land uses, air quality, and water quality. Chapter 2 of this order presents an overview of the NEPA process. Depending upon the context and potential impacts, NEPA procedures can differ. Chapter 3 of this order addresses those types of FAA actions that do not normally require preparation of an EA or EIS, called categorical exclusions (see paragraphs 303 and 307-312) absent extraordinary circumstances (see paragraph 304). Chapters 4 and 5 of this order outline the processes for preparing EA's and EIS's. These procedures apply to classes of FAA actions that have or may have a significant impact on the human environment. Appendix A, Analysis of Environmental Impact Categories, presents, for each environmental impact category, brief descriptions of statutory and regulatory requirements and a list of agencies with specialized expertise or legal jurisdiction. Appendix B provides additional FAA guidance on third-party contracting. Appendix C provides an annotated list of generally applicable executive orders, DOT and FAA orders, memoranda of agreement or understanding, and related CEQ and FAA guidance. Appendix D provides a summary of the FAA Reauthorization Act, "Vision 100 — Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act," signed December 12, 2003. Appendix E provides a list of acronyms.

PURPOSE. This order provides Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) policy and procedures to ensure agency compliance with the requirements set forth in the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations for implementing the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) parts 1500-1508; Department of Transportation Order DOT 5610.1C, Procedures for Considering Environmental Impacts; and other related statutes and directives.

APPLICABILITY. The provisions of this order and the CEQ regulations apply to actions directly undertaken by the FAA and where the FAA has sufficient control and responsibility to condition the license or project approval of a non-Federal entity. The requirements in this order apply to, but are not limited to, the following: all grants, loans, contracts, leases, construction, research activities, rulemaking and regulatory actions, certifications, licensing, permits, plans submitted to the FAA by state and local agencies which require FAA approval, and legislation proposed by the FAA. Exceptions to these requirements are listed in chapter 2. The procedures in this order shall apply to the fullest extent practicable to ongoing activities and environmental documents begun before the effective date, except that this order does not apply to decisions made and final environmental documents issued prior to the effective date of this order.