Opinion ID: 385700
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Council on Environmental Quality

Text: 8 The Council, a unit within the Executive Office of the President, consists of three members appointed by the President with Senate approval, one of whom he designates as chairman. 42 U.S.C. § 4342. The Council was created by Title II of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 4342-47, enacted in 1969. Pursuant to the Environmental Quality Improvement Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 4371-74, the Chairman also serves as Director of the Office of Environmental Quality. 9 NEPA directs the Council to assist and advise the President in preparing the President's annual Environmental Quality Report, to prepare and submit to the President studies regarding environmental conditions and trends, to review and appraise federal programs that affect the environment and to make recommendations to the President thereon, and to recommend national environmental policies to the President. NEPA also directs the Council generally to conduct environmental research and to monitor environmental trends. 42 U.S.C. § 4344. 10 Several executive orders have expanded the Council's functions by assigning it responsibilities for overseeing activities of federal agencies. Executive Order No. 11514 (March 5, 1970) directs the Council to coordinate federal programs related to environmental quality and to issue guidelines to federal agencies for the preparation of environmental impact statements. Section 3(f), (h), 3 C.F.R. 902, 904 (1966-1970 compilation). Executive Order No. 11991 (May 24, 1977) amplifies this authority by directing the Council to issue regulations to federal agencies for implementing all of the procedural provisions of NEPA. Section 1, 3 C.F.R. 123, 124 (1978). Under Executive Order No. 11735 (August 3, 1973), the Council publishes and periodically revises the national contingency plan for the removal of oil and hazardous substances from navigable waters. Section 4, 3 C.F.R. 793, 795 (1971-1975 compilation). 11