The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to carefully consider the impacts of their proposed actions on the environment and incorporate these considerations into their decision-making processes. These action agencies must submit their proposed project plans to other federal agencies and to the public for review and comment. This is to ensure that the public has a role in the decision-making process and in implementing the decision.
NEPA also 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, help to 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.
For more information, see our NEPA overview page.
Documents Currently Available for Public Review and Comment
- Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (DPEIS) for the Identification of Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs) in Federal Waters of Southern California. Comments must be received no later than February 20, 2025.
- Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement--Expenditure of Funds to Increase Prey Availability for Southern Resident Killer Whales; comment period closed (as of November 4, 2024)
- Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Consideration of Exempted Fishing Permits for Testing Fishing Practices to Target Swordfish and Other Marketable Highly Migratory Species in the United States West Coast Exclusive Economic Zone; comment period closed (as of April 9, 2024)
West Coast Region EIS/EA Documents by Major Category
- Coastal Pelagic Species Fishery Management Plan
- Groundfish Fishery Management Plan
- Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan
- Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission
- Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan
- Salmon Fishery Management Plan
- ESA section 4(d) Rules
- ESA section 10(a)(1)(A) scientific research and enhancement permits
- ESA section 10(a)(1)(B) Habitat Conservation Plans/Incidental Take Permits
- ESA section 10(j) Experimental Population Designations
- Hatcheries/Hatchery Genetic Management Plans
- Marine Mammals
- Other Marine Species
