National Environmental Policy Act, United States of America

The National Environmental Policy Act of the United States of America of 1969 (amended 2000) points to the continuing responsibility of the Federal Government to use all practicable means to improve and coordinate Federal plans, functions, programmes and resources to fulfil the responsibilities of each generation as trustee of the environment for succeeding generations. The act requires that all agencies of the Federal Government utilize a systematic, interdisciplinary approach drawing on natural and social sciences and environmental design arts in cases when planning and decision making may have an impact on the environment. Further, they shall ensure that presently unquantified environmental values are given appropriate consideration in decision making along with economic and technical considerations.