National Environmental Policy Act and Large Transportation Projects

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) was signed into law in 1970. It requires federal agencies to consider the environmental effects of a project and involve the public in the decision-making process before proceeding with a project. The requirements for complying with NEPA depend on many factors, including the size and scope of the project and the extent of which it may affect community resources, such as parks, water resources, and urban communities. This memorandum outlines the NEPA process for transportation-related projects in Colorado, and highlights ongoing changes to NEPA at the federal level.