The National Environmental Policy Act(NEPA) is one of the most important environmental laws.The NEPA was assigned into Law in 1970 by the US President Richard Nixon. This act is different from the other acts in that is entirely procedural and doesn’t include specific regulations. This act provides a process by which actions proposed by the government which usually leaves a negative impact on the environment,needs to be reviewed.NEPA came into existence following extensive protests against the federal government's demolition of neighborhoods and the natural environment while building Interstate highways between the 1950s and 1960
NEPA stresses that all federal agencies need to consider the environmental impacts of any major action like constructing a dam or even making changes to a fishery management plan.Before any major action is initiated by the federal government, the federal agency taking that action needs to write an Environmental Assessment (EA) to resolve and clarify if there will be any negative impacts to the environment.
In case any negative impact is found,the agency needs to draft a Environment Impact Statement (EIS) in order to specify the exact reason for action, review alternative methods for action as well as allow for the public to comment.Once the EIS is released for the public comment, several individuals,including groups will study alternatives and the impacts,if any to the environment .In case the agency fails to agree with the NEPA rules,then there are huge chances of lawsuits being filed against them by environmental groups.
NEPA stresses that all federal agencies need to consider the environmental impacts of any major action like constructing a dam or even making changes to a fishery management plan.Before any major action is initiated by the federal government, the federal agency taking that action needs to write an Environmental Assessment (EA) to resolve and clarify if there will be any negative impacts to the environment.
In case any negative impact is found,the agency needs to draft a Environment Impact Statement (EIS) in order to specify the exact reason for action, review alternative methods for action as well as allow for the public to comment.Once the EIS is released for the public comment, several individuals,including groups will study alternatives and the impacts,if any to the environment .In case the agency fails to agree with the NEPA rules,then there are huge chances of lawsuits being filed against them by environmental groups.
