What is the National Environmental Policy Act?

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is a law that was established in the United States in 1969. It gives the federal government the authority to regulate activities that can affect the environment, such as building highways and dams, establishing military bases, and permitting offshore drilling. The goal of the law is to protect the environment and human health by requiring federal agencies to take into consideration the potential impacts of their actions before taking them. Under NEPA, California agencies must consider a range of environmental factors as they make decisions about water projects and related activities. This includes such things as air quality, water resources, fish and wildlife, noise, and cultural and historic resources. Agencies must also assess whether their proposed project will create significant environmental impacts, and they must make an effort to minimize or avoid the impacts where possible. The National Environmental Policy Act is an important tool for water law in California, as it helps to ensure that the environment and public health are taken into consideration when making decisions about water projects and activities. It also ensures that all federal agencies are held to the same standards when it comes to protecting the environment.

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