§1.2 - Overview

• Jurisdiction: Washington

§1.2 OVERVIEW

At the time of NEPAs enactment, Senator Henry Jackson of Washington, one of its primary authors, declared it the most important and far-reaching environmental and conservation measure ever enacted. 115 Cong. Rec. 40,416 (1969). The ambitious purposes of NEPA, set forth in 42 U.S.C. §4321, are as follows:

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.

In accordance with these purposes, NEPA establishes a number of obligations that are imposed on all agencies of the federal government.

Title I of NEPA contains a declaration of national environmental policy and several action-forcing provisions. Section 101 establishes the national environmental policy, and states:

[I]t 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...