The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was signed into law on January 1, 1970. The Act 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. NEPA requires federal agencies to consider the potential environmental consequences of their proposals, to consult with other interested agencies, to document the analysis, and to make this information available to the public for comment before the implementation of the proposals.

Goals

1. The project will compile and synthesize citizens' guides for environmental comment writing, which will include upcoming comment periods. 

2. The project will empower citizens to become more engaged in environmental policy making, fostering greater environmental and legal understanding.

   1. Protect the rights to freedom of opinion, expression, peaceful assembly, association, and dissent.​

   2. Strengthen local communities, enabling them to care for their environments, and assign environmental responsibilities to the levels of government where they can be carried out most effectively.

   3. Enhance the role of the mass media in raising awareness of ecological and social challenges.

3. The project will catalyze more citizens to become more politically engaged for the long term as they will learn how to search for comment periods, learn how to submit comments, speak at public meetings, and write letters to media outlets. 

4. The project will better inform local, state and federal policymakers of public perceptions, leading to more informed decisions. 

5. The project will therefore cultivate more legitimate environmental policy in the United States, representative of the people and not solely industry interests.

   1. Ensure that economic activities and institutions at all levels promote human development in an equitable and sustainable manner.​

   2. Prevent harm as the best method of environmental protection and, when knowledge is limited, apply a precautionary approach.

6. The project will help solidify the significance of NEPA and other environmental legislation. 

   1. Strengthen democratic institutions at all levels, and provide transparency and accountability in governance, inclusive participation in decision making, and access to justice.​

   2. Support local, regional and global civil society, and promote the meaningful participation of all interested individuals and organizations in decision making.