All about NEPA
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), signed into law on January 1, 1970, established a national policy requiring government agencies to identify the potential environmental effects of proposed projects.
NEPA contains procedures for agencies to assess the potential environmental consequences of their proposed actions, and to take steps to mitigate those impacts. The Act requires the consideration of reasonable project alternatives that diminish environmental impacts. It also requires the federal agencies to document the assessment and make the findings available to the public for comment prior to implementation of the proposed action in a document called an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
Environmental Impact Statements are required for all major federal actions that could have significant impacts on the environment and that involve federal funds. An EIS presents information regarding the proposed project, including studies of elements such as air quality, noise, water quality, floodplain encroachment, cultural resources, parks and recreation, business and residential relocations, environmental justice, land use, traffic and bicycle/pedestrian circulation, and aesthetics.
Project Neon's Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) has recently been reviewed by the FHWA and is now available for public comment.
