The Bedrock Law that Protects the Public's Right to Speak Out on the Environment!

NEPA, one of America's bedrock environmental laws signed into law by President Nixon 35 years ago, is considered the Magna Carta of environmental protection. NEPA is the foundation on which all other environmental laws are built. NEPA requires federal agencies to study and disclose the environmental effects of major projects on the surrounding community and include the public in the decision-making process for federally funded projects.

NEPA is the guarantee that Americans affected by a federal action will get the best information about its impacts, a choice of good alternatives, and the right to have their voice heard before the government makes a final decision.

At the heart of NEPA is its requirement that alternatives must be considered - including those that will minimize possible damage to our health, environment or quality of life. NEPA also lets Americans have a say before the government makes its final decision about a project.

NEPA ensures balance, common sense and openness in federal decision-making, it is an effective tool to keep 'Big Government' in check.

By making sure that the public is informed and that alternatives are considered, NEPA has stopped some damaging projects or made them better.

SOME WANT TO TAKE NEPA AWAY.  To learn about the attacks on NEPA in Congress, and what you can do to stop them,  please check out these links:

http://www.safc.org/campaigns/NEPA.php

http://www.americanlands.org/issues.php?subsubNo=1113510651#1116261227

http://www.americanlands.org/issues.php?subsubNo=1113510651&article=1127308598