National Environmental Policy Act(NEPA)

Law

42 U.S.C. § 4321 et seq.  | (1969)
established a national Council on Environmental Quality to oversee government activities that could affect the environment and required federal agencies to file environmental impact statements before taking any major action. The law was intended to help “maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony” and, as such, has been labeled by the courts an “environmental full disclosure law.” It has often been left to the courts to rule on the accuracy of impact statements that have been contested by environmental or neighborhood groups.

Dictionary Entries Near National Environmental Policy Act

Cite this Entry

“National Environmental Policy Act.” Merriam-Webster.com Legal Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/National%20Environmental%20Policy%20Act. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!