[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 40, Volume 31]

[Revised as of July 1, 2006]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 40CFR1515.2]



[Page 898]

 

                   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 any of 

these materials at the Council's office during the hours stated below in 

Sec.  1515.3(f).