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U.S. Code as of:
01/19/04
Section 4331. Congressional declaration of national environmental policy
(a) The Congress, recognizing the profound impact of man's
activity on the interrelations of all components of the natural
environment, particularly the profound influences of population
growth, high-density urbanization, industrial expansion, resource
exploitation, and new and expanding technological advances and
recognizing further the critical importance of restoring and
maintaining environmental quality to the overall welfare and
development of man, declares that it is the continuing policy of
the Federal Government, in cooperation with State and local
governments, and other concerned public and private organizations,
to use all practicable means and measures, including financial and
technical assistance, in a manner calculated to foster and promote
the general welfare, to create and maintain conditions under which
man and nature can exist in productive harmony, and fulfill the
social, economic, and other requirements of present and future
generations of Americans.
(b) In order to carry out the policy set forth in this chapter,
it is the continuing responsibility of the Federal Government to
use all practicable means, consistent with other essential
considerations of national policy, to improve and coordinate
Federal plans, functions, programs, and resources to the end that
the Nation may -
(1) fulfill the responsibilities of each generation as trustee
of the environment for succeeding generations;
(2) assure for all Americans safe, healthful, productive, and
esthetically and culturally pleasing surroundings;
(3) attain the widest range of beneficial uses of the
environment without degradation, risk to health or safety, or
other undesirable and unintended consequences;
(4) preserve important historic, cultural, and natural aspects
of our national heritage, and maintain, wherever possible, an
environment which supports diversity and variety of individual
choice;
(5) achieve a balance between population and resource use which
will permit high standards of living and a wide sharing of life's
amenities; and
(6) enhance the quality of renewable resources and approach the
maximum attainable recycling of depletable resources.
(c) The Congress recognizes that each person should enjoy a
healthful environment and that each person has a responsibility to
contribute to the preservation and enhancement of the environment.
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