1. National Environmental Policy Act An established US national policy Draft Year: 1969 Amendment Years: Section 1502.22 amended May 27, 1986 “Environmental Magna Carta” By Isabelle de Burgh Period 4

2. Purpose & Environmental Issues NEPA establishes national environmental policy and goals for maintenance, enhancement, and protection of the environment through federal agencies The acts main goal is “to create and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony.” NEPA’s main process evaluates the environmental effects of federal undertakings, including the alternatives. It does this through three levels of analysis: categorical exclusion, EA/FONSI, and EIS. The primary objectives include informing the public of potential environmental impacts and alternatives and ensuring that federal agencies consider every significant aspect of a proposed project’s environmental impact. NEPA is required when any Federal action proposed may have impacts on the environment or human health. Federal actions include those that require Federal funding, permits, facilities, equipment, or employees, and those that occur on Federal lands. Federal Agencies are responsible for abiding by NEPA’s requirements.

3. NEPAPROCESSNEPAPROCESS

4. Regulation & Enforcement The Council on Environmental Quality, headed by a fulltime Chair and assisted by staff, oversees NEPA by conducting studies, surveys, research, and analysis; gathering information on the conditions and trends of environmental quality; evaluating federal programs; and developing and promoting national policies to improve environmental quality. The CEQ (Council of Environmental Quality) regulates the NEPA process and the preparation of EISs. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) reviews and prepares NEPA documents.

5. BIBLIOGRAPHY http://www.usbr.gov/uc/albuq/envdocs/pubmtg/ carlsbad/nepa-process-handout.pdf http://www.usbr.gov/uc/albuq/envdocs/pubmtg/ carlsbad/nepa-process-handout.pdf http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/history/topics/ne pa/01.html http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/history/topics/ne pa/01.html http://www.epa.gov/compliance/basics/nepa.ht ml http://www.epa.gov/compliance/basics/nepa.ht ml http://www.w-and-k.com/timeline_1960s.aspx http://www.infrawindow.com/eco- development/should-india-adopt-the- demonstrative-model-for-environmental- clearance-_116/ http://www.infrawindow.com/eco- development/should-india-adopt-the- demonstrative-model-for-environmental- clearance-_116/