The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 is the foundation of modern American environmental protection in the United States and its commonwealths, territories, and possessions. NEPA requires federal agencies to carefully consider the impacts of their proposed actions on the environment, involve and inform the public in the decision making process, and incorporate these considerations in implementing the decision. NEPA established the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to act in an advisory capacity for the President on environmental matters. CEQ established regulations to assist federal agencies in implementing NEPA. These regulations, along with specific federal agency NEPA implementation procedures, ensure that the environmental impacts of proposed decisions are fully considered, the public has opportunities for input, and that appropriate steps are taken to mitigate potential environmental impacts.
To learn more about NEPA and access additional resources, please visit the NOAA Fisheries NEPA overview page.
NEPA Documents Available for Public Comment
NOAA's Pacific Islands region completes Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) and Environmental Assessments (EA) that are provided for public review and comment in accordance with NEPA implementing regulations at 40 CFR Section § 1506.6, and NOAA Administrative Order 216-6A Section 7E.
Final Documents
NOAA Fisheries archives all final Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Statements with the NOAA Institutional Repository. Final documents are also available to the public upon request.
Contact
Please email questions or request additional information about specific NEPA documents to: pir.nepa@noaa.gov.