Environmental Compliance

All federal agencies are required to review everything they do (e.g., construction/facility modifications, operations, scientific research) for compliance with various environmental statutes (e.g. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act). Scientific research activities are evaluated to ensure environmental compliance with all applicable environmental statutes. We have reviewed our actions and the results of these evaluations are in the form of Categorical Exclusions, Environmental Assessments, or Environmental Impact Statements.

NOAA recently released a final programmatic environmental assessment focused on the Prevention, Control, and Mitigation (PCM) of Harmful Algal Blooms research program. This research program, administered through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, seeks to develop and transfer to application tools to reduce the impacts of harmful algal blooms in coastal waters.

We work closely with program offices throughout NOS on environmental compliance. Learn more about the NOS Environmental Compliance Program.