    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 124, 111th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    PROCLAMATIONS

    PROCLAMATION 8469--DEC. 31, 2009

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    Proclamation 8469 of December 31, 2009
    40th Anniversary of the National Environmental Policy Act, 2010
    By the President of the United States of America
    A Proclamation

    Forty years ago, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was signed
    into law with overwhelming bipartisan support, ushering in a new era of
    environmental awareness and citizen participation in government. NEPA
    elevated the role of environmental considerations in proposed Federal
    agency actions, and it remains the cornerstone of our Nation's modern
    environmental protections. On this anniversary, we celebrate this
    milestone in our Nation's rich history of conservation, and we renew our
    commitment to preserve our environment for the next generation.
    NEPA was enacted to ``prevent or eliminate damage to the environment and
    biosphere and stimulate the health and welfare of man.'' It established
    concrete objectives for Federal agencies to enforce these principles,
    while emphasizing public involvement to give all Americans a role in
    protecting our environment. It also created the Council on Environmental
    Quality to lead our Government's conservation efforts and serve as the
    President's environmental advisor.
    America's economic health and prosperity are inexorably linked to the
    productive and sustainable use of our environment. That is why NEPA
    remains a vital tool for my Administration as we work to protect our
    Nation's environment and revitalize our economy. The American Recovery
    and Reinvestment Act of 2009 reaffirmed NEPA's role in protecting public
    health, safety, and environmental quality, and in ensuring transparency,
    accountability, and public involvement in our Government.
    Today, my Administration will recognize NEPA's enactment by recommitting
    to environmental quality through open, accountable, and responsible
    decision making that involves the American public. Our Nation's long-
    term prosperity depends upon our faithful stewardship of the air we
    breathe, the water we drink, and the land we sow. With smart,
    sustainable policies like those established under NEPA, we can meet our
    responsibility to future generations of Americans, so they may hope to
    enjoy the beauty and utility of a clean, healthy planet.
    NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
    America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
    the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 1, 2010, as
    the 40th Anniversary of the National Environmental Policy Act. I call
    upon all executive branch agencies to promote public involvement and
    transparency in their implementation of the National Environmental
    Policy Act. I also encourage every American to learn more about the
    National Environmental Policy Act and how we can all contribute to
    protecting and enhancing our environment.
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day
    of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of

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    the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
    thirty-fourth.
    BARACK OBAMA