&EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency June 2009 EPA Office of Environmental Programs Environmental Assessment & Innovation Division EPA Region 3, Philadelphia, PA " Definition of NEPA The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) establishes national environmental policy and goals for the protection, maintenance, and enhancement of the environment and it provides a process for implementing these goals within the federal agencies. Highway projects are among those reviewed by the NEPA Team Mission of the NEPA Team The NEPA Team is responsible for carrying out the requirements of NEPA, which requires federal agencies to document the environmental impacts of proposed actions in an environmental assessment (EA) or environmental impact statement (EIS). The NEPA Team reviews proposed actions for federal agencies throughout Region 3, which serves Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Projects involving the introduction of non-native species are reviewed by the NEPA Team NEPA Team Activities . Review all major proposed federal actions subject to NEPA. • Review NEPA documents (EAs/EISs) and prepare written comments on alternative actions. • Seek avoidance and minimization of environmental impacts and mitigation of adverse environmental impacts. • Coordinate with federal agencies to maximize environmental protection. http://www.epa.gov/reg3esdl/nepa/ ------- |