Environmental Impact Studies in the United States

Abstract

Over 15,000 environmental impact statements (EIS’s) have been prepared in the United States since the January 1, 1970 effective date of the National Environmental Policy Act (Public Law 91–190). Considerable discussion and debate has occurred over the value of environmental impact requirements in project planning and decisionmaking. Many EIS’s have been controversial, and over 1500 legal actions have resulted from the requirements of PL 91-190. The purpose of this paper is to summarize U.S. experiences in environmental impact studies, and to delineate emerging issues and needs relative to these studies. Topics to be addressed include a summary of the National Environmental Policy Act and the Council on Environmental Quality regulations. A synopsis of U.S. experiences since the passage of NEPA will be presented. Finally, some key issues related to current and future studies are delineated.