Toward stronger national policy on environment

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

OSTI ID:6287825

Fogleman, V M ^[1]

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1. Barlow Lyde and Gilbert, London (United Kingdom)

The United States ushered in the [open quotes]environmental era[close quotes] on January 1, 1970, when the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) became law. In the 20-odd years since, has the law become [open quotes]little more than a bureaucratic exercise that required federal agencies to complete paperwork they subsequently file and ignore,[close quotes] asks Valerie M. Fogleman, an NEPA specialist Her answer is a qualified no. [open quotes]NEPA is a success for having achieved the crucial first step towards a national environmental policy,[close quotes] she explains. But she quickly adds, [open quotes]Congress should now amend NEPA by enacting clear substantive provisions that require federal agencies to integrate NEPA procedures into their decisions by mitigating the significant adverse environmental effects of their proposed actions.[close quotes] At the time, NEPA was the strongest statute that could have been enacted, Fogleman says. But even at that, she charges, [open quotes]Most federal agencies have not even partially complied with the national environmental policy[close quotes] enunciated by the act, although most have adopted NEPA procedures. Encouraging public participation during several steps to pation during several steps of the assessment process is one of NEPA's major achievements, Folgeman says, although opportunities for public participation have declined in recent years. A part of the reason for the decline, she says, is the increased use by federal agencies of the simpler environmental assessment reports, rather than full environmental impact statements. Environmental degradation is cheaper to prevent than to remedy, Fogleman points out. [open quotes]NEPA has achieved more success than expected,[close quotes] she adds, [open quotes]Congress should enhance that success by taking the additional step needed to implement an enforceable, effective national environmental policy.[close quotes]

• OSTI ID: 6287825
• 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
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
293000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DOCUMENT TYPES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
LAWS
LEGISLATION
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
NORTH AMERICA
POLLUTION ABATEMENT
PUBLIC OPINION
US NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT
USA