MEPA requires public study, disclosure, and development of feasible mitigation for a proposed project for which agency action is required. Agency action includes permitting, provision of financial assistance, and land disposition. MEPA review occurs before permitting agencies act (and before State Agencies can issue Permits), to ensure that the permitting agencies understand the potential environmental consequences of their actions and use all feasible measures to avoid damage to the environment or, to the extent damage to the environment cannot be avoided, to minimize and mitigate damage to the environment to the maximum extent possible. MEPA review is not a permitting process and does not result in the substantive approval or denial of a project.
