NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT (NEPA)

Passed by Congress and signed into law on January 1, 1970, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) broke new ground as the first major Federal legislative effort to incorporate environmental considerations into all government decision-making. 42 U.S.C. §§4321-4347.

NEPA established the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to compile information on environmental conditions and trends and provide guidance of same to the President and federal agencies. CEQ is the agency responsible for implementing NEPA and works to ensure that environmental reviews for projects and federal actions are thorough, efficient and reflect the input of the public and local communities. 

NEPA promotes the protection, preservation, and enhancement of the environment and addresses growing concerns about the environmental impacts of large-scale development projects.  Its purpose requires federal agencies to consider the environmental impacts of their actions and decisions before they Act.

What triggers NEPA?

Federal agencies must consider the potential impacts of major federal actions and reasonable alternatives on the human environment.

Major Federal Actions – Activities that are undertaken, funded, authorized, or approved by a federal agency.

NEPA applies to NBRC-funded projects.

NBRC NEPA Resources:
NBRC NEPA Process Flowchart
Budgeting for NEPA Review
Environmental Assessment Guidance Overview
     Environmental Assessment Template (Word)
     Environmental Assessment Template (PDF)
NEPA Intake Form
NBRC Notice of Availability Template
NBRC CATEX Adoption List (Updated February 11, 2026) 
                             

Other NEPA Resources:

Removal of National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Regulations
Council on Environmental Quality