What is the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA)?

The National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) is a federal law passed by the United States Congress in 1969. It serves as a broad framework that guides how federal agencies address environmental considerations when making decisions. The law requires Federal agencies to develop and implement plans that protect human health and the environment, such as conducting an environmental impact assessment prior to any major activity that could potentially impact the environment. In Florida, the concept of NEPA is used to assess the environmental effects of development including that of oil and gas drilling. NEPA is designed to ensure that agencies consider the impacts of their actions on natural resources, public health, and safety before taking action. Whenever a federal agency proposes a major action, the agency must analyze the environmental impacts of that action. This analysis is known as an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and it must specifically address the potential environmental consequences of the proposed action. If the proposed action is found to have any potential detrimental impacts, the agency is required to identify alternative courses of action that will minimize or avoid those impacts. The purpose of NEPA is to provide the public with information about the impact of an action on the environment. This is accomplished through the agency’s preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) which outlines any potential environmental consequences of the proposed action. Additionally, all federal agencies are required to make available to the public any documents or information related to the proposed action. This gives the public an opportunity to provide input and provide alternate solutions.

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What is the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA)?

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