National Environmental Policy Act of 1969

Devyn HowardP-4

• The National Environmental Policy Act is a United States environmental law that was signed up into law on January 1, 1970 by U.S. President Richard Nixon. The law established a U.S. national policy promoting the enhancement of the environment and also established the President’s Council on Environmental Quality. But NEPA’s most significant effect was to set up procedural requirements for all federal government agencies to prepare Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements.

• It established a broad framework to:– Encourage productive and enjoyable between man and his

environment. – Promote efforts which will prevent or eliminate damage to the

environment and biosphere and stimulate the health and welfare of man.

– Enrich the understanding of the ecological systems and natural resources important to the nation.

– Establish a Council on Environmental Quality.

• NEPA was amended by P.L. 94-52, July 3, 1975, 89 Stat. 258, and P.L. 94-83, August 9, 1975, 89 Stat. 424).

• NEPA is enforced by the Environmental Assessment, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Council of Environmental Quality.