Environmental Impact Assessments: Congressional Intent Versus Application

Abstract

In 1969, Congress passed the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The law directs Federal agencies to establish a Deliberate process to consider the environmental effects of proposed Federal actions. The law also allows the public to play as partners, early and throughout the decisionmaking process, in determining the best decision that balances environmental considerations. So, what does that have to do with defense? The 1990s will require the government to consolidate defense facilities. There will be base closures, realignments of operations, and development of new technologies in new locations. Each major action will have some impact on the environment. And the public will be a key player in the process. Future managers can play ball by the rules and succeed or they can follow their own agenda with the probability of litigation and costly delay. Managing those actions responsibility--up front--will be the measure of success for future managers.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1992
Accession Number
ADA262307

Entities

People

  • Kenneth A. Sprankle

Organizations

  • Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Base Closures
  • Congress
  • Environment
  • Environmental Law
  • Governments
  • Hazardous Materials
  • Health
  • Law
  • National Security
  • Natural Resources
  • Nuclear Energy
  • Nuclear Weapons
  • Risk
  • Site Selection
  • Social Sciences
  • United States Government
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of Proposed Air Force Base Actions.
  • Government and Public Administration Law.
  • Strategic Security Studies