[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 121 (Tuesday, October 3, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1654]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          A NEW DAY FOR THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT

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                          HON. JOHN D. DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 3, 2000

  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, more than 30 years ago, I was the co-author 
of one of the strongest federal laws to protect our air, water and 
lands. The National Environmental Policy Act recognized that many 
federal activities, and many federally supported activities, affect the 
quality of our air, waters, and lands. As a result, federal agencies 
have been required for more than three decades to report on their 
activities' impact on the human environment in environmental impact 
statements.
  NEPA was passed by a Democratic Congress and signed by a Republican 
President. It has withstood years of attack from many special interests 
and has contributed greatly to improvements in our environment and 
human health. I have been a stalwart defender of NEPA throughout its 
history and even defended the Act when different administrations tried 
to undermine its intent.
  One continuing focus of concern was over the role of the President's 
Council On Environmental Quality (CEQ), about which I helped several 
administrations, including the current one, understand the benefits of 
having a single Presidential agency coordinate environmental policy for 
very diverse interests within the Executive Branch.
  I was proud to have fought on behalf of CEQ in the past. However, as 
occasionally happens with some government agencies, I have come to 
realize that CEQ has outlived its usefulness now that federal agencies 
have instilled a stronger environmental ethic in their decision making. 
I fact, CEQ's role has evolved from one of facilitation to one of 
obfuscation. It has become an assemblage of irksome meddlers who cost 
much and do little. In my opinion, their recent efforts on behalf of 
the environment have been counterproductive from the standpoint of 
sound conservation practices.
  Mr. Speaker, I am therefore proposing legislation today that 
abolishes the CEQ and leaves the protections of NEPA in place for 
coordination within each federal agency. This will allow the 
Appropriations Committee next year to have another $2.9 million every 
year for much more valuable conservation purposes.

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