NEPA Process

• Originally enacted in 1960 and signed into law in 1970.

• Purpose is to ensure that information regarding potential environmental impacts of any federal, or federally-funded, action is available to public officials and citizens before decisions are made and before actions are taken.

• Requires federal agencies to consider the impacts of their actions on the human environment.

• Does not replace other environmental laws and regulations.

• Serves as a decision-making approach to identify and assess potential environmental impacts as early in the decision-making process as possible.