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Species Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, etc. To reduce paperwork and avoid delays in the decision-making process, federal agencies must, to the fullest extent possible, integrate the NEP A review with the analytic and consultation requirements of these other .environmentallaws. The NEP A review also takes into , consideration whether a federal undertaking is in compliance with statutes such as the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act. In these cases, the lead agency would consult with the agencies overseeing these statutes to ensure compliance with any criteria and standards promulgated under these laws, alterations in project design, location or operation; agency consideration of a greater range of alternatives; implementation of mitigation measures; and enhanced opportunity for public involvement in the decision.making process. An additional benefit has been a reduction of some project costs because of changes made in projects. The NEP A review process has also enabled agencies to address compliance with other environmental laws as part of a single review process rather than separate reviews under each law, thereby reducing the amount of paperwork, staff time, and effort. Integration Into Federal Decision-Making The CEQ NEP A regulations require federal agencies to make the environmental review documents and any commimts and responses a part of the record in formal rulemaking and adjudicatory proceedings. These documents must also accompany the proposal through the federal agency's review process. In making its decision on a proposal, an agency must consider a full range of elternatives including ones evaluated in the NEPA review. Most federal agencies have promulgated NEPA regulations which address how the NEPA review will be incorporated into their various programs, Agencies are encouraged to prepare broad EISs covering policy or programmatic actions and to tier subsequent NEP A reviews to indivi<!ual actions included within the program or policy. For legislative proposals, the NEPA process is Integrated with the legislative process of Congress. Federal agencies are required to integrate the NEP A review early in program or project planning, In the preparation of EISs, the scoping process provides for early identification and consideration of environmental issues and alternatives. State NEP As Following the passage of NEPA, which only applies to federal actions, a number of states passed laws which incorporate consideration of environmental effects into state actions. Many of the state NEP As, or "little NEP As" as they are commonly called, are modelled after the federal NEPA, Presently, 11 states have passed laws with comprehensive environmental review requirements. Fourteen states have limited environmental review requirements established by executive order or other administrative directives, The. Benefits Of NEP A NEP A has caused federal agencies to incorporate environmental values in their decision-making. For most agencies, the NEP A review is now an integral part of program planning. To oversee compliance with NEPA, many agencies have organized multi-disciplinary staffs, The primary benefit has been more protection for the environment in federal undertakings. This has come about because of the NEP A review process and resultant changes in projects, such as EPA's "309" Review Process Section 309 of the Clean Air Act states: (a) "The Administrator shall review and comment in writing on the environmental impact of any matter relating to duties and responsibilities granted pursuant to this chapter or other provisions of the authority of the Administrator, contained in any (1) legislation proposed by any federal department or agency, (2) newly authorized federal projects for construction and any major federal agency action (other than a project for construction) to which Section 4332 (2) (C) of this title applies, and (3) proposed regulations published by any department or agency of the federal government. Such written comment shall be made public at the conclusion of any such review. (b) In the event the Administrator determines that any such legislation, action, or regulation is unsatisfactory from the stand.point of public health or welfare or environmental quality, he shall publish his determination and the matter shall be referred to the Council on Environmental Quality," 6 7