National Environmental Policy Act

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended
(Pub. L. 91-190, 42 U.S.C. 4321-4347, January 1, 1970, as amended by Pub. L. 94-52, July
3, 1975, Pub. L. 94-83, August 9, 1975, and Pub. L. 97-258, § 4(b), Sept. 13, 1982)
An Act to establish a national policy for the environment, to provide for the establishment of
a Council on Environmental Quality, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in
Congress assembled, That this Act may be cited as the "National Environmental Policy Act
of 1969."
Purpose
Sec. 2 [42 USC § 4321].
The purposes of this Act are: To declare a national policy which will encourage productive
and enjoyable harmony between man and his environment; to promote efforts which will
prevent or eliminate damage to the environment and biosphere and stimulate the health and
welfare of man; to enrich the understanding of the ecological systems and natural resources
important to the Nation; and to establish a Council on Environmental Quality.

TITLE I
CONGRESSIONAL DECLARATION OF NATIONAL
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
Sec. 101 [42 USC § 4331].
(a) The Congress, recognizing the profound impact of man's activity on the interrelations of
all components of the natural environment, particularly the profound influences of population
growth, high-density urbanization, industrial expansion, resource exploitation, and new and
expanding technological advances and recognizing further the critical importance of
restoring and maintaining environmental quality to the overall welfare and development of
man, declares that it is the continuing policy of the Federal Government, in cooperation with
State and local governments, and other concerned public and private organizations, to use all
practicable means and measures, including financial and technical assistance, in a manner
calculated to foster and promote the general welfare, to create and maintain conditions under
which man and nature can exist in productive harmony, and fulfill the social, economic, and
other requirements of present and future generations of Americans.
(b) In order to carry out the policy set forth in this Act, it is the continuing responsibility of
the Federal Government to use all practicable means, consist with other essential
considerations of national policy, to improve and coordinate Federal plans, functions,

programs, and resources to the end that the Nation may -1. fulfill the responsibilities of each generation as trustee of the environment for
succeeding generations;
2. assure for all Americans safe, healthful, productive, and aesthetically and culturally
pleasing surroundings;
3. attain the widest range of beneficial uses of the environment without degradation, risk
to health or safety, or other undesirable and unintended consequences;
4. preserve important historic, cultural, and natural aspects of our national heritage, and
maintain, wherever possible, an environment which supports diversity, and variety of
individual choice;
5. achieve a balance between population and resource use which will permit high
standards of living and a wide sharing of life's amenities; and
6. enhance the quality of renewable resources and approach the maximum attainable
recycling of depletable resources.
(c) The Congress recognizes that each person should enjoy a healthful environment and that
each person has a responsibility to contribute to the preservation and enhancement of the
environment.
Sec. 102 [42 USC § 4332].
The Congress authorizes and directs that, to the fullest extent possible: (1) the policies,
regulations, and public laws of the United States shall be interpreted and administered in
accordance with the policies set forth in this Act, and (2) all agencies of the Federal
Government shall -(A) utilize a systematic, interdisciplinary approach which will insure the integrated use of
the natural and social sciences and the environmental design arts in planning and in
decisionmaking which may have an impact on man's environment;
(B) identify and develop methods and procedures, in consultation with the Council on
Environmental Quality established by title II of this Act, which will insure that presently
unquantified environmental amenities and values may be given appropriate consideration
in decisionmaking along with economic and technical considerations;
(C) include in every recommendation or report on proposals for legislation and other
major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment, a
detailed statement by the responsible official on -(i) the environmental impact of the proposed action,
(ii) any adverse environmental effects which cannot be avoided should the proposal
be implemented,

(iii) alternatives to the proposed action,
(iv) the relationship between local short-term uses of man's environment and the
maintenance and enhancement of long-term productivity, and
(v) any irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources which would be
involved in the proposed action should it be implemented.
Prior to making any detailed statement, the responsible Federal official shall consult with
and obtain the comments of any Federal agency which has jurisdiction by law or special
expertise with respect to any environmental impact involved. Copies of such statement
and the comments and views of the appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, which
are authorized to develop and enforce environmental standards, shall be made available
to the President, the Council on Environmental Quality and to the public as provided by
section 552 of title 5, United States Code, and shall accompany the proposal through the
existing agency review processes;
(D) Any detailed statement required under subparagraph (C) after January 1, 1970, for
any major Federal action funded under a program of grants to States shall not be deemed
to be legally insufficient solely by reason of having been prepared by a State agency or
official, if:
(i) the State agency or official has statewide jurisdiction and has the responsibility for
such action,
(ii) the responsible Federal official furnishes guidance and participates in such
preparation,
(iii) the responsible Federal official independently evaluates such statement prior to
its approval and adoption, and
(iv) after January 1, 1976, the responsible Federal official provides early notification
to, and solicits the views of, any other State or any Federal land management entity of
any action or any alternative thereto which may have significant impacts upon such
State or affected Federal land management entity and, if there is any disagreement on
such impacts, prepares a written assessment of such impacts and views for
incorporation into such detailed statement.
The procedures in this subparagraph shall not relieve the Federal official of his
responsibilities for the scope, objectivity, and content of the entire statement or of any
other responsibility under this Act; and further, this subparagraph does not affect the
legal sufficiency of statements prepared by State agencies with less than statewide
jurisdiction.
(E) study, develop, and describe appropriate alternatives to recommended courses of
action in any proposal which involves unresolved conflicts concerning alternative uses of
available resources;
(F) recognize the worldwide and long-range character of environmental problems and,

where consistent with the foreign policy of the United States, lend appropriate support to
initiatives, resolutions, and programs designed to maximize international cooperation in
anticipating and preventing a decline in the quality of mankind's world environment;
(G) make available to States, counties, municipalities, institutions, and individuals,
advice and information useful in restoring, maintaining, and enhancing the quality of the
environment;
(H) initiate and utilize ecological information in the planning and development of
resource-oriented projects; and
(I) assist the Council on Environmental Quality established by title II of this Act.
Sec. 103 [42 USC § 4333].
All agencies of the Federal Government shall review their present statutory authority,
administrative regulations, and current policies and procedures for the purpose of
determining whether there are any deficiencies or inconsistencies therein which prohibit full
compliance with the purposes and provisions of this Act and shall propose to the President
not later than July 1, 1971, such measures as may be necessary to bring their authority and
policies into conformity with the intent, purposes, and procedures set forth in this Act.
Sec. 104 [42 USC § 4334].
Nothing in section 102 [42 USC § 4332] or 103 [42 USC § 4333] shall in any way affect the
specific statutory obligations of any Federal agency (1) to comply with criteria or standards
of environmental quality, (2) to coordinate or consult with any other Federal or State agency,
or (3) to act, or refrain from acting contingent upon the recommendations or certification of
any other Federal or State agency.
Sec. 105 [42 USC § 4335].
The policies and goals set forth in this Act are supplementary to those set forth in existing
authorizations of Federal agencies.

TITLE II
COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Sec. 201 [42 USC § 4341].
The President shall transmit to the Congress annually beginning July 1, 1970, an
Environmental Quality Report (hereinafter referred to as the "report") which shall set forth
(1) the status and condition of the major natural, manmade, or altered environmental classes
of the Nation, including, but not limited to, the air, the aquatic, including marine, estuarine,
and fresh water, and the terrestrial environment, including, but not limited to, the forest,
dryland, wetland, range, urban, suburban an rural environment; (2) current and foreseeable
trends in the quality, management and utilization of such environments and the effects of
those trends on the social, economic, and other requirements of the Nation; (3) the adequacy
of available natural resources for fulfilling human and economic requirements of the Nation

in the light of expected population pressures; (4) a review of the programs and activities
(including regulatory activities) of the Federal Government, the State and local governments,
and nongovernmental entities or individuals with particular reference to their effect on the
environment and on the conservation, development and utilization of natural resources; and
(5) a program for remedying the deficiencies of existing programs and activities, together
with recommendations for legislation.
Sec. 202 [42 USC § 4342].
There is created in the Executive Office of the President a Council on Environmental Quality
(hereinafter referred to as the "Council"). The Council shall be composed of three members
who shall be appointed by the President to serve at his pleasure, by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate. The President shall designate one of the members of the Council to
serve as Chairman. Each member shall be a person who, as a result of his training,
experience, and attainments, is exceptionally well qualified to analyze and interpret
environmental trends and information of all kinds; to appraise programs and activities of the
Federal Government in the light of the policy set forth in title I of this Act; to be conscious of
and responsive to the scientific, economic, social, aesthetic, and cultural needs and interests
of the Nation; and to formulate and recommend national policies to promote the
improvement of the quality of the environment.
Sec. 203 [42 USC § 4343].
(a) The Council may employ such officers and employees as may be necessary to carry out
its functions under this Act. In addition, the Council may employ and fix the compensation
of such experts and consultants as may be necessary for the carrying out of its functions
under this Act, in accordance with section 3109 of title 5, United States Code (but without
regard to the last sentence thereof).
(b) Notwithstanding section 1342 of Title 31, the Council may accept and employ voluntary
and uncompensated services in furtherance of the purposes of the Council.
Sec. 204 [42 USC § 4344].
It shall be the duty and function of the Council -1. to assist and advise the President in the preparation of the Environmental Quality
Report required by section 201 [42 USC § 4341] of this title;
2. to gather timely and authoritative information concerning the conditions and trends in
the quality of the environment both current and prospective, to analyze and interpret
such information for the purpose of determining whether such conditions and trends
are interfering, or are likely to interfere, with the achievement of the policy set forth
in title I of this Act, and to compile and submit to the President studies relating to
such conditions and trends;
3. to review and appraise the various programs and activities of the Federal Government
in the light of the policy set forth in title I of this Act for the purpose of determining
the extent to which such programs and activities are contributing to the achievement

of such policy, and to make recommendations to the President with respect thereto;
4. to develop and recommend to the President national policies to foster and promote
the improvement of environmental quality to meet the conservation, social,
economic, health, and other requirements and goals of the Nation;
5. to conduct investigations, studies, surveys, research, and analyses relating to
ecological systems and environmental quality;
6. to document and define changes in the natural environment, including the plant and
animal systems, and to accumulate necessary data and other information for a
continuing analysis of these changes or trends and an interpretation of their
underlying causes;
7. to report at least once each year to the President on the state and condition of the
environment; and
8. to make and furnish such studies, reports thereon, and recommendations with respect
to matters of policy and legislation as the President may request.
Sec. 205 [42 USC § 4345].
In exercising its powers, functions, and duties under this Act, the Council shall -1. consult with the Citizens' Advisory Committee on Environmental Quality established
by Executive Order No. 11472, dated May 29, 1969, and with such representatives of
science, industry, agriculture, labor, conservation organizations, State and local
governments and other groups, as it deems advisable; and
2. utilize, to the fullest extent possible, the services, facilities and information (including
statistical information) of public and private agencies and organizations, and
individuals, in order that duplication of effort and expense may be avoided, thus
assuring that the Council's activities will not unnecessarily overlap or conflict with
similar activities authorized by law and performed by established agencies.
Sec. 206 [42 USC § 4346].
Members of the Council shall serve full time and the Chairman of the Council shall be
compensated at the rate provided for Level II of the Executive Schedule Pay Rates [5 USC §
5313]. The other members of the Council shall be compensated at the rate provided for Level
IV of the Executive Schedule Pay Rates [5 USC § 5315].
Sec. 207 [42 USC § 4346a].
The Council may accept reimbursements from any private nonprofit organization or from
any department, agency, or instrumentality of the Federal Government, any State, or local
government, for the reasonable travel expenses incurred by an officer or employee of the
Council in connection with his attendance at any conference, seminar, or similar meeting
conducted for the benefit of the Council.

Sec. 208 [42 USC § 4346b].
The Council may make expenditures in support of its international activities, including
expenditures for: (1) international travel; (2) activities in implementation of international
agreements; and (3) the support of international exchange programs in the United States and
in foreign countries.
Sec. 209 [42 USC § 4347].
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the provisions of this chapter not to
exceed $300,000 for fiscal year 1970, $700,000 for fiscal year 1971, and $1,000,000 for each
fiscal year thereafter.
The Environmental Quality Improvement Act, as amended (Pub. L. No. 91- 224, Title II,
April 3, 1970; Pub. L. No. 97-258, September 13, 1982; and Pub. L. No. 98-581, October 30,
1984.
42 USC § 4372.
(a) There is established in the Executive Office of the President an office to be known as
the Office of Environmental Quality (hereafter in this chapter referred to as the "Office").
The Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality established by Public Law 91190 shall be the Director of the Office. There shall be in the Office a Deputy Director
who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate.
(b) The compensation of the Deputy Director shall be fixed by the President at a rate not
in excess of the annual rate of compensation payable to the Deputy Director of the Office
of Management and Budget.
(c) The Director is authorized to employ such officers and employees (including experts
and consultants) as may be necessary to enable the Office to carry out its functions ;under
this chapter and Public Law 91-190, except that he may employ no more than ten
specialists and other experts without regard to the provisions of Title 5, governing
appointments in the competitive service, and pay such specialists and experts without
regard to the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title
relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, but no such specialist or expert
shall be paid at a rate in excess of the maximum rate for GS-18 of the General Schedule
under section 5332 of Title 5.
(d) In carrying out his functions the Director shall assist and advise the President on
policies and programs of the Federal Government affecting environmental quality by -1. providing the professional and administrative staff and support for the Council on
Environmental Quality established by Public Law 91- 190;
2. assisting the Federal agencies and departments in appraising the effectiveness of
existing and proposed facilities, programs, policies, and activities of the Federal
Government, and those specific major projects designated by the President which

do not require individual project authorization by Congress, which affect
environmental quality;
3. reviewing the adequacy of existing systems for monitoring and predicting
environmental changes in order to achieve effective coverage and efficient use of
research facilities and other resources;
4. promoting the advancement of scientific knowledge of the effects of actions and
technology on the environment and encouraging the development of the means to
prevent or reduce adverse effects that endanger the health and well-being of man;
5. assisting in coordinating among the Federal departments and agencies those
programs and activities which affect, protect, and improve environmental quality;
6. assisting the Federal departments and agencies in the development and
interrelationship of environmental quality criteria and standards established
throughout the Federal Government;
7. collecting, collating, analyzing, and interpreting data and information on
environmental quality, ecological research, and evaluation.
(e) The Director is authorized to contract with public or private agencies, institutions, and
organizations and with individuals without regard to section 3324(a) and (b) of Title 31
and section 5 of Title 41 in carrying out his functions.
42 USC § 4373. Each Environmental Quality Report required by Public Law 91-190 shall,
upon transmittal to Congress, be referred to each standing committee having jurisdiction over
any part of the subject matter of the Report.
42 USC § 4374. There are hereby authorized to be appropriated for the operations of the
Office of Environmental Quality and the Council on Environmental Quality not to exceed the
following sums for the following fiscal years which sums are in addition to those contained
in Public Law 91- 190:
(a) $2,126,000 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1979.
(b) $3,000,000 for the fiscal years ending September 30, 1980, and September 30, 1981.
(c) $44,000 for the fiscal years ending September 30, 1982, 1983, and 1984.
(d) $480,000 for each of the fiscal years ending September 30, 1985 and 1986.
42 USC § 4375.
(a) There is established an Office of Environmental Quality Management Fund
(hereinafter referred to as the "Fund") to receive advance payments from other agencies
or accounts that may be used solely to finance -1. study contracts that are jointly sponsored by the Office and one or more other
Federal agencies; and

2. Federal interagency environmental projects (including task forces) in which the
Office participates.
(b) Any study contract or project that is to be financed under subsection (a) of this section
may be initiated only with the approval of the Director.
(c) The Director shall promulgate regulations setting forth policies and procedures for
operation of the Fund.

Back to Table of Contents