Applicability of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Review of Airport Wildlife Hazard Management Plans

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Office of Airports is clarifying a program guidance letter issued in 2006 concerning how federal environmental laws apply to FAA approval of a new or updated airport Wildlife Hazard Management Plan (WHMP). Recent issues and questions have arisen that make it necessary to update and clarify the guidance. The clarified policy includes circumstances where the FAA would approve WHMPs, and delineate which individual measures in a plan the airport may implement based upon a categorical exclusion without further environmental review or coordination. In contrast, other measures might be subject to a higher level of review and interagency coordination prior to approval. The FAA is publishing this for notice and comment prior to implementation.