The Functional Equivalence Doctrine: A Judicial Exception That Violates NEPA and Undermines the National Environmental Policy

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Date

2023-04-28

Authors

Hudson, Scott

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

University of Oregon School of Law

Abstract

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is the seminal environmental statute, providing the aspirational goal of a national environmental policy and a comprehensive environmental regulatory framework. Over the past five decades, however, Congress, the courts, and administrative agencies have limited NEPA with exemptions and exceptions. This paper evaluates the Functional Equivalence Doctrine and argues that this NEPA exception is contrary to the text, congressional intent, and goals of NEPA and is therefore illegal.

Description

30 pages

Keywords

National Environmental Policy Act, Environmental law, Enforcement

Citation

38 J. Env’t. L. & Litig. 109