The Coast Guard operates extensively in the marine, aquatic, and aerial environments and has the potential to impact each of these environments. The National Environmental Policy Act and “Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions, Executive Order 12114” are the primary environmental planning mandates that establish an appropriate environmental planning process for assessing the environmental impacts of Coast Guard proposed actions in the United States and abroad, respectively.
It is important that the Coast Guard use the appropriate required environmental planning process, NEPA or E.O. 12114, to ensure compliance with all applicable environmental mandates (e.g., National Historic Preservation Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, Archeological Resources Protection Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and others) both with the United States and abroad. Compliance with NEPA and/or E.O. 12114 should occur early during project or program planning, development, and design, but must occur prior to execution of a proposed action.