Congress is seen as NEPA watchdog

Journal Article · · Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy; (United States)

OSTI ID:6276696

Bondareff, J M

If imitation is the truest form of flattery, then the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) has been a resounding success, notes Joan M. Bondareff, senior counsel to the US House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee. Environmental impact assessment, which is at the heart of NEPA, is being required by more and more nations and has been made a part of international agreements on Antarctica, and Europe, and the worldwide Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, Bondareff notes. [open quotes]NEPA is a success,[close quotes] she says, [open quotes]because of its simple and straightforward approach. ...the beauty of NEPA lies precisely in its procedural mandate. Just as due process, as expressed in the Constitution and Bill of Rights, protects civil liberties, NEPA's procedural mandate helps to protect the environment from illegal or ill-considered actions.[close quotes] Congress has been vigilant in making sure that the executive branch complies with the statute, Bondareff declares, while she predicts Congress likely will consider some [open quotes]mid-course corrections[close quotes] in the act this year or next.

• OSTI ID: 6276696
• Journal Information: Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy; (United States), Journal Name: Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy; (United States) Vol. 8:2; ISSN FARPEL; ISSN 0887-8218
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
293000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation
AGREEMENTS
ANTARCTIC REGIONS
ANTARCTICA
CRYOSPHERE
DOCUMENT TYPES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
EUROPE
FISHERIES
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
LAWS
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
POLAR REGIONS
US NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT