[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