Overview of Laws and Regulations

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Laws

Congress enacted the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in 1969, declaring an ambitious and visionary national policy to promote environmental protection for present and future generations. NEPA seeks to encourage productive and enjoyable harmony between humans and the environment, recognizing the profound impact of human activity and the critical importance of restoring and maintaining environmental quality to the overall welfare of humankind. NEPA established the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) in the Executive Office of the President to advise presidents on national environmental policy, assist Federal agencies in their implementation of NEPA, and oversee implementation of a variety of other environmental initiatives from the expeditious and thorough environmental review of infrastructure projects to the sustainability of Federal operations. Congress amended NEPA in the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023.

Congress also enacted the Environmental Quality Improvement Act in 1970 addressing CEQ operations. Finally, section 309 of the Clean Air Act provides for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) review of Federal agency environmental impact statements and for EPA referrals to CEQ.

Current NEPA Implementing Regulations

NEPA charges CEQ with overseeing and guiding NEPA implementation across the Federal Government, which includes developing implementing procedures. CEQ initially issued interim guidelines in April 1970 and revised the guidelines in 1971 and 1973. CEQ promulgated its NEPA regulations in 1978, with typographical amendments in 1979 and amendments to one provision in 1986. CEQ revised these regulations in July 2020. Consistent with the direction in E.O. 13990, CEQ is currently revising these regulations—CEQ made a narrow set of revisions in April 2022 and has proposed additional changes in July 2023.

Desk Reference (July 2023)

This CEQ publication provides the text of 40 CFR parts 1500–1508, the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the Environmental Quality Improvement Act of 1970, Section 309 of the Clean Air Act, and Executive Order 11514.

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