28 CFR § 91.56 - Actions that normally require the preparation of an environmental assessment.
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t28/s91.56"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "28 CFR § 91.56 - Actions that normally require the preparation of an environmental assessment."
title_number: 28
title_name: "Judicial Administration"
section_number: "91.56"
section_name: "Actions that normally require the preparation of an environmental assessment."
chapter_name: "DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE"
part_number: "91"
part_name: "GRANTS FOR CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "42 U.S.C. 13701 through 14223."
regulatory_source: "59 FR 63019, Dec. 7, 1994, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "91"
---
# 91.56 Actions that normally require the preparation of an environmental assessment.
(a) *Renovation or expansion of existing correctional facility.* Renovation or expansion activities not categorically excluded under § 91.55 require an environmental assessment (EA). An environmental assessment is generally prepared when a project is not expected to have a significant impact on the environment. Since projects for the renovation or expansion of an existing facility or the construction of a new facility within an existing correctional complex may have limited impact on the environment, preparing an EA may be sufficient.
(b) *Proposed construction of a new correctional facility.* The proposed construction of a new correctional facility will require the preparation of an environmental assessment unless the proposal will clearly have a significant environmental impact in which case an environmental impact statement can be initiated immediately without the preparation of an environmental assessment.