Actions Requiring Categorical Exclusion Reviews (CERs)

The BOEMRE shall review the categorically excluded actions listed below to ensure that individual BOEMRE approvals falling within each category do not represent exceptions to the exclusion. These actions are among the exclusions listed in the Departmental Manual (43 CFR 46.215), and may have at least some potential for causing environmental effects. Other actions listed in Chapter 15 have no such potential, although some actions could locally be controversial. Therefore, in most cases, it is unnecessary to conduct a CER for any permit or regulatory action other than those listed below.

Although other formats may be used, all EAs must contain the following information:

	Offshore geological and geophysical (G&G) mineral exploration activities, except when the proposed activity includes the drilling of deep stratigraphic test holes or uses solid or liquid explosives (15.4.C(9)). Deep Stratigraphic tests and use of solid or liquid explosives require further environmental analysis.
	Offshore lease or unit exploration development/production plan or a Development Operation Coordination Document in the central or western Gulf of Mexico (30 CFR 250.2) except those proposing facilities (15.4 C (10)): (1) In areas of high seismic risk or seismicity, relatively untested deep water, or remote areas, or (2) within the boundary of a proposed or established marine sanctuary, and/or within or near the boundary of a proposed or established wildlife refuge or areas of high biological sensitivity; or (3) in areas of hazardous natural bottom conditions; or        (4) utilizing new or unusual technology
	Minor revisions to or minor variances from activities described in an approved EP or DPP or pipeline applications (15.4.C(11)).
	Preliminary activities (except those in the Central and Western Gulf of Mexico) conducted on a lease. These are activities such as G&G surveys and other surveys necessary to develop a comprehensive EP or DPP (15.4.C(13)).
	Pipeline right-of-way grants and lease term pipeline applications, and any revisions thereto that do not result in a new pipeline corridor to shore (15.4.C(15)).

In the event an action cannot be categorically excluded, the decision to prepare an EA will be made by the Regional Supervisor, Leasing and Environment or the Chief, Environmental Division.  As appropriate, this decision should be made in consultation with the project decision maker.  For actions carried out at the Headquarters Office, such as rulemaking, the Chief, Environmental Division will be responsible for completing the CER.