What do the regulations issued by the Council of Environmental Quality establish?

The regulations issued by the Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ) specifically establish procedures for the environmental review process that federal agencies must follow under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This includes setting forth the framework for how federal agencies assess the environmental impacts of their proposed actions, ensuring that decision-makers consider environmental factors before proceeding with projects.

By mandating federal agencies to evaluate potential environmental impacts through environmental assessments or environmental impact statements, these regulations facilitate a structured approach to environmental review. This is critical for promoting transparency and public participation in government decision-making related to environmental matters.

Furthermore, while public involvement in environmental assessments is important and may be addressed in guidance provided by the CEQ and other agencies, the primary focus of the CEQ’s regulations is on establishing the procedural requirements for federal agencies. Consequently, this distinguishes the CEQ's regulations from state-level processes or standards specific to areas like hazardous waste management, which fall under other regulatory frameworks.