National EnvironmentalPolicy Act
An established US national policy
Draft Year: 1969
Amendment Years: Section 1502.22amended May 27, 1986
“Environmental Magna Carta”
By Isabelle de Burgh
Period 4
Purpose & Environmental Issues
•NEPA establishes national environmentalpolicy and goals for maintenance,enhancement, and protection of theenvironment through federal agencies
•The acts main goal is “to create andmaintain conditions under which manand nature can exist in productiveharmony.”
•NEPA’s main process evaluates theenvironmental effects of federalundertakings, including the alternatives.It does this through three levels ofanalysis: categorical exclusion, EA/FONSI,and EIS.
•The primary objectives include informingthe public of potential environmentalimpacts and alternatives and ensuringthat federal agencies consider everysignificant aspect of a proposed project’senvironmental impact.
•NEPA is required when any Federal actionproposed may have impacts on theenvironment or human health. Federalactions include those that require Federalfunding, permits, facilities, equipment, oremployees, and those that occur onFederal lands.
•Federal Agencies are responsible forabiding by NEPA’s requirements.
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Regulation & Enforcement
•The Council on Environmental Quality, headed by afulltime Chair and assisted by staff, oversees NEPA byconducting studies, surveys, research, and analysis;gathering information on the conditions and trends ofenvironmental quality; evaluating federal programs;and developing and promoting national policies toimprove environmental quality.
•The CEQ (Council of Environmental Quality) regulatesthe NEPA process and the preparation of EISs.
•The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) reviewsand prepares NEPA documents.
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