Executive Order Establishing the NEPC

Purpose

The Purpose of the National Environmental Protection Council (NEPC) is to ensure that National Government agencies and groups are coordinated, aligned, efficient, and without gaps or redundancies in the application of environmental and sustainable development responses and programs. The six (6) primary duties and functions identified by the Executive Order can be operationalized in the following ways:

1. Setting annual National Priorities (particularly through Symposium and SOE) (PRIORITIES through EVENTS)
2. Create NEPC “Strategic Plan” by dividing National Priorities and putting into agency work plans, and flagging National Priorities that need to be addressed elsewhere. (JOINT STRATEGIC/WORK PLANNING)
3. Keeping an eye on each other to make sure that agency actions are aligned; Resolving conflicts internally (CONFLICT RESOLUTION)
4. Providing a single response (Policy Statement or Resolution) on proposed grants, developments, policies, legislation, documents, and other issues and problems (POLICY STATEMENTS)

Primary Duties and Functions in EO 350:

1. Jointly identifying and prioritizing national environmental issues
2. Supporting development of aligned and comprehensive sustainable management plans within and across agencies
3. Establishing guidelines for environmental programs and projects
4. Jointly commenting on public and private development projects
5. Proposing text for legislation, resolutions, or policies to protect the environment
6. Mobilizing cross-sector support and building consensus (including conflict-resolution)

Proposing Legislation, National Guidelines, and Comprehensive Management Plan

Executive Order 350 states that the NEPC should propose legislation, develop National Guidelines, and develop a Comprehensive Management Plan. These actions are deferred to later years and should be captured in the 2020 Strategic Plan.