We conduct federally mandated environmental reviews to ensure proposed USDA RD-financed projects meet environmental impact regulations and standards. The Agency makes every effort to minimize or avoid impacts to the surrounding environment and human health. This review process helps assure that environmental impacts of proposed projects – and project sites – are considered prior to Agency decision making. The degree of environmental review depends on project location and other characteristics. USDA must comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and other pertinent federal and state environmental laws. USDA-RD’s NEPA regulations are found in 7 CFR 1970.
Environmental Compliance
In this section, you will learn about the USDA RD-relevant NEPA law referenced in 7 CFR 1970.
Environmental Documents for Review
This section contains Categorical Exclusions with Extraordinary Circumstances and no significant effects, published Environmental Assessments or Environmental Impact Statements from USDA RD’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Rural Housing Service, and Rural Utilities Service.
Environmental Trainings
The training materials in this section will help you understand the environmental process.
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RUS consultant trainings (expected in future)
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- Advisory Council on Historic Preservation: e-Learning courses
- Endangered Species Act Overview
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Web soil survey | YouTube playlist
Contact Us
If you seek environmental information for projects in the Rural Housing Service (Single Family Housing, Multifamily Housing, and Community Facilities), Rural Business-Cooperative Service, or Rural Utilities Service (Water and Waste) programs, please contact the state program official for your program of interest.
If you seek environmental information for Rural Utilities Service Electric program projects, please use the Environmental Protection Specialist and Archaeologist list, or select a state below.
If you seek environmental information for Rural Utilities Service Telecommunications program projects, please reference the map below.
