The main purpose of NEPA is: To declare a national policy that will encourage productive and enjoyable harmony among man and his environment; to promote efforts that will prevent or remove damage to the environment and biosphere and stimulate the health and welfare of man; to augment the understanding of the ecological systems and natural resources significant to the Nation; and to establish a Council on Environmental Quality. NEPA applies to most federal agencies projects or such receiving federal funding.
Do you believe that NEPA was a step forward in the environmental regulations? Describe your answer. What are the most significant aspects of this regulation? Must NEPA be expanded to incorporate all the projects, not just those with ties to the federal government? Explain why or why not? Support your position with substantive facts.
Environmental Assessment (EA) and Environmental Impact Statements (EIS). NEPA needs all projects which might adversely impact the environment to undergo the development of an EA or EIS. The initial scoping process is critical in finding out how to proceed with a project. Do you think the scoping procedure entails too much research or does it not need enough?