Key NEPA Reform Included in Fiscal Responsibility Act
June 1, 2023 | Bakersfield, CA ~ Key National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Reformations included in Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. The Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization representing Businesses and Professionals, along with a broad coalition of users, in the Off-Road Industry. Working on behalf of these members, ORBA has dedicated significant time and resources towards clarifying and streamlining the processes involved with NEPA efforts. With the passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, the legislation that raised the debt ceiling, there are several provisions of the act that are very important to the motorized recreational community and maintaining access to public lands, beyond raising the national debt ceiling.
Fred Wiley, President/CEO of the Off-Road Business Association says, ”Last night’s historic vote in the House of Representatives keeps America moving forward and brings a mandatory, sensible timeline to the process of managing public land and resources. Restructuring the NEPA process will ensure our access to ‘Public Lands’“.
These amendments generally improve and streamline the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process that must be completed for any major federal actions. Historically, NEPA analysis has been a major barrier to development of resources and protecting recreational opportunities for the motorized community, as these efforts can sometimes take decades.
These reforms include:
1. Sets deadlines for completion of NEPA efforts, and allows the public to bring court actions if timelines are not met;
2. Sets numerical page limits for all levels of NEPA efforts;
3. Clearly applies existing requirements of the crowdsourcing and citizen science act to the NEPA process with the clarification that only reliable data and resources may be used for NEPA;
4. Requires alignment of NEPA efforts across multiple agencies working on a single project; and
5. Requires designation of a lead agency to conduct NEPA if multiple agencies or interests are involved, and allows the public to enforce these provisions.
The modernization of the NEPA process resulting from these reforms will be a key step forward in maintaining recreational access and protecting resources in a timely and effective manner.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact ORBA at;
Fred Wiley, President and CEO
661-805-1393
Read HR 3746 “The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023” in its entirety.
Learn more about the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
The Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) is proud to work alongside these amazing organizations.
Our combined efforts work to ensure the future of motorized off-highway recreation.
www.offroadbusiness.org/one-voice
www.unitedsnowmobilealliance.com
Read the full press release here