Broad discretion is granted at all levels throughout federal land management agencies regarding compliance with the National Environ. Policy Act (NEPA). The authors explored the diversity of procedures employed in NEPA processes across four agencies, the Forest Service, the Nat. Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Army Corps of Eng. There is a lack of consistency not only between, but also within, agencies with regard to how NEPA is implemented. This report focuses on how successful NEPA processes are defined within each agency and what strategies are the most or least beneficial to positive NEPA outcomes. Also identifies unresolved questions about NEPA processes and presents a research strategy for addressing them.

"The National Environmental Policy Act has grown more, not less, important in the decades since its enactment. No one knows more about NEPA than Lynton Caldwell. And no one has a clearer vision of its relevance to our future. Highly recommended." —David W. Orr, Oberlin College What has been achieved since the National Environmental Policy Act was passed in 1969? This book points out where and how NEPA has affected national environmental policy and where and why its intent has been frustrated. The roles of Congress, the President, and the courts in the implementation of NEPA are analyzed. Professor Caldwell also looks at the conflicted state of public opinion regarding the environment and conjectures as to what must be done in order to develop a coherent and sustained policy.