What is the purpose of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)?

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) serves a crucial role in integrating environmental considerations into the federal decision-making process. Its primary purpose is to ensure that any major federal actions that significantly affect the environment undergo a thorough assessment, typically through an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or an Environmental Assessment (EA). This process systematically evaluates the potential environmental impacts of proposed actions and considers alternatives to minimize harm, ensuring that decision-makers and the public are informed about the environmental implications.

By mandating these assessments, NEPA promotes a thoughtful and transparent approach to federal projects, balancing economic growth and development with the preservation and protection of the environment. This represented a significant shift in U.S. policy by formally incorporating environmental considerations into the governmental planning process, making it a foundational law for environmental protection and regulation.

Although public participation and the regulation of natural resources are important aspects of environmental governance, they are not the primary objectives of NEPA. The act does foster public involvement through opportunities to comment on assessments, but its core focus lies in ensuring that environmental impacts are carefully considered in federal actions.