The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 establishes a national goal of protecting the environment. It establishes policy, sets goals, and provides the means for carrying out the policy. All construction, expansion, and renovation projects initiated by state or local units of government with grant funding from the Corrections Program Office (CPO), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), U.S. Department of Justice, are subject to NEPA. The NEPA procedures must be initiated as part of the planning and site selection phase of all projects and completed before the project can begin. This document provides guidance on developing an environmental assessment and an environmental impact statement and the process for public notification and input and for OJP/CPO review and approval. It also includes questions and answers related to implementation of NEPA and its application to OJP/CPO-administered grant programs. References, appendix