40 CFR § 1501.1 - Purpose.
The purposes of this part include:
(a) Integrating the NEPA process into agency planning at an early stage to facilitate appropriate consideration of NEPA's policies, promote an efficient process, and reduce delay;
(b) Providing for early engagement in the environmental review process with other agencies, State, Tribal, and local governments, and affected or interested persons, entities, and communities before a decision is made;
(c) Providing for the swift and fair resolution of interagency disputes;
(d) Identifying at an early stage the important environmental issues deserving of study, and deemphasizing unimportant issues, narrowing the scope of the environmental review and enhancing efficiency accordingly; and
(e) Promoting accountability by establishing appropriate deadlines and requiring schedules.