The National Environmental Policy Act 1969 (NEPA)

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is the basic Forest Service charter for protection of the environment. It establishes policy, sets goals, and provides means for carrying out the policy. NEPA procedures provide the direction to help public officials make decisions that are based on the understanding of environmental consequences, and take actions that protect, restore, and enhance the environment. NEPA procedures also require that environmental information is available to citizens before decisions are made and actions are taken that may affect the human environment. You can find more information about NEPA procedures on the Forest Service NEPA website.