Students at the George Washington University Law School pursuing an independent research project performed legal research; scoured government websites; contacted government agencies, law firms, and nonprofits; and submitted Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests in order to find documents relating to the DC Environmental Policy Act (DC EPA). The culmination of their efforts are detailed in this white paper and the attached appendices. This paper will introduce the DC EPA, its provisions, legislative history, and case law; overview the requirements of the environmental review process, including opportunities for public involvement and public access to information; compare the DC EPA with NEPA; and highlight areas for reform that could bolster the efficacy of the DC EPA.
