The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is a federal law enacted in 1970 that requires Federal agencies to take into account the environmental impacts of their proposed actions. NEPA also requires Federal agencies to develop an environmental impact statement for any major Federal action that could have significant environmental consequences.
If you're planning to take an action that could potentially trigger a NEPA report, here are some things to keep in mind:
– Consult with your local government first. Your community might have concerns about any potential environmental impacts your project might have, and they'll be happy to help you work out any kinks in your plan.
– Make sure your proposal complies with federal laws and regulations. Any proposed action that would have significant environmental impacts must go through a rigorous permitting process before it can even be considered by the EPA. Make sure your project adheres to all of these requirements before starting anything up!
– Be prepared for lengthy reviews. Even if everything looks good on paper, sometimes problems arise during the actual analysis stage of a review. Be prepared for this and expect your project to take longer than you'd originally planned – but don't give up!
NEPA applies to all activities carried out by federal agencies, including construction, land management, and public works projects.
