(a) If NASA determines that NEPA applies to a proposed activity or decision, NASA will then determine the appropriate level of NEPA review in the following sequence and manner. At all steps in the following process, NASA will consider the proposed action or project at hand and its effects.
(1) If NASA has established, or adopted pursuant to NEPA sec. 109, 42 U.S.C. 4336c, a categorical exclusion that covers the proposed action, NASA will analyze whether to apply the categorical exclusion to the proposed action and apply the categorical exclusion, if appropriate, pursuant to subpart 1216.3 of this part.
(2) If another agency has already established a categorical exclusion that covers the proposed action, NASA will commence the process to adopt that exclusion pursuant to § 1216.300(c) so that it can be applied to the proposed action at issue, and to future activities or decisions of that type.
(3) If the proposed action warrants the establishment of a new categorical exclusion, or the revision of an existing categorical exclusion, NASA will consider whether to establish or revise and then apply the categorical exclusion to the proposed action and to future activities or decisions of that type.
(4) If NASA or another Federal agency has already analyzed the proposed action in an existing environmental assessment or environmental impact statement, NASA will consider the options outlined in § 1216.602 and rely on the existing NEPA analysis.
(5) If NASA cannot apply a categorical exclusion to or rely on an existing NEPA analysis for the proposed action, NASA will consider the proposed action's reasonably foreseeable effects consistent with paragraph (b) of this section, and then will:
(i) If the proposed action is not likely to have reasonably foreseeable significant effects or the significance of the effects is unknown, develop an environmental assessment, as described in subpart 1216.4 of this part; or
(ii) If the proposed action is likely to have reasonably foreseeable significant effects, develop an environmental impact statement, as described in subpart 1216.5 of this part.
(b) When considering whether the reasonably foreseeable effects of the proposed action are significant, NASA will analyze the potentially affected environment and degree of the effects of the action. NASA may use any reliable data source and will not undertake new research unless it is essential to evaluating alternatives and the cost and time of obtaining it are not unreasonable.
(1) In considering the potentially affected environment, NASA may consider, as appropriate to the specific action, the scope of affected area (national, regional, or local) and its resources (e.g., natural, cultural, and socioeconomic resources; and environmental media).
(2) In considering the degree of the effects, NASA may consider the following, as appropriate to the specific action:
(i) Both short- and long-term effects.
(ii) Both beneficial and adverse effects.
(iii) Effects on public health and safety.
(iv) Economic effects.
(v) Effects on the quality of life of the American people.