Obama recognizes NEPA anniversary, calls on agencies to promote ‘transparency’

A presidential proclamation released Monday recognizes the 40th anniversary of the National Environmental Policy Act and calls on federal agencies to “promote public involvement and transparency” in their implementation of the statute.

The law requires agencies to analyze the environmental effects of many types of planned actions, such as selling oil-and-gas leases on federal lands, and to weigh alternatives.

“NEPA elevated the role of environmental considerations in proposed Federal agency actions, and it remains the cornerstone of our Nation's modern environmental protections,” states the Dec. 31 proclamation.

“On this anniversary, we celebrate this milestone in our Nation's rich history of conservation, and we renew our commitment to preserve our environment for the next generation,” it adds.

Environmentalists say NEPA is a vital tool and often file litigation alleging insufficient review under the statute, while energy companies and other critics often allege that NEPA causes costly delays.