[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 40, Volume 28] [Revised as of July 1, 2002] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 40CFR1515.2] [Page 494-495] TITLE 40--PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT CHAPTER V--COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY PART 1515--FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT PROCEDURES--Table of Contents Sec. 1515.2 What is the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)? (a) The Council on Environmental Quality (``CEQ'' or ``the Council'') was created by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 through 4347). The Council's authority is derived from that Act, the Environmental Quality Improvement Act of 1970, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4371-4374), Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1977 (July 15, 1977), and Executive Order 11514, Protection and Enhancement of Environmental Quality, March 5, 1970, as amended by Executive Order 11991, May 24, 1977. (b) The Council's primary responsibilities include the following: (1) To review and evaluate the programs and activities of the Federal Government to determine how they are contributing to the attainment of the national environmental policy; (2) To assist Federal agencies and departments in appraising the effectiveness of their existing and proposed facilities, programs, policies, and activities affecting environmental quality; (3) To develop and recommend to the President policies to improve environmental quality to meet the conservation, social, economic, health, and other requirements and goals of the Nation; (4) To advise and assist the President in achieving international cooperation for dealing with environmental problems; (5) To assist in coordinating among Federal agencies and departments those programs which affect, protect, and improve environmental quality, including Federal compliance with the environmental impact statement process, and to seek resolution of significant environmental issues; (6) To foster research relating to environmental quality and the impacts of new or changing technologies; and (7) To analyze long and short term environmental problems and trends and assist in preparing an annual Environmental Quality Report to the President and the Congress. (c) The Council maintains a ``Quarterly Index'' which lists its current policies and procedures, as required by section 552(a)(2) of the Freedom of Information Act. This index is updated and published in the Federal Register quarterly, starting in 1976. The Quarterly Index--and the specific items listed in the index--are available on request from the Freedom of Information Officer. You may also inspect or copy [[Page 495]] any of these materials at the Council's office during the hours stated below in Sec. 1515.3(f).