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assuring the protection of natural environmental values through the following provision: "It is hereby declared to be the national policy that special effort should be made to preserve the natural beauty of the countryside and public park and rec- reation lands, wildlife and waterfowl refuges, and historic sites. The Secretary of Transportation shall cooperate and consult with the Secretaries of the Interior, Housing and Urban Development, and Agriculture, and with the States in developing trans- portation plans and programs that include measures to maintain or enhance the natural beauty of the lands traversed. After the effective date of the Federal -Aid Highway Act of 1968, the Secretary shall not approve any program or project which requires the use of any publicly owned land from a public park, recreation area, or wildlife and waterfowl refuge of national, State, or local sig- nificance as determined by the Federal, State, or local officials having jurisdiction thereof, or any land from an historic site of national, State, or local significance as so determined by such officials unless (1) there is no feasible and prudent alterna- tive to the use of such land, and (2) such program includes all possible planning to minimize harm to such park, recreational area, wildlife and waterfowl refuge, or historic site resulting from such use." Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act represents an important step in an attempt to prevent further encroachment on environmental values. A new awareness has been created at all levels of government, and in the public in general, that our natural resources are being threatened and that this threat must be alleviated. A far reaching Federal law to protect and enhance the quality of the Nation's environment and natural resources was enacted on January 1, 1970. Public Law 91-190, the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, declares a broad national environmental policy which calls on the Fed- eral Government to exercise leadership in improving and coordinating Federal plans, functions, programs, and use of resources with the goals of preventing damage either to the environment or ecological sys- tems and encouraging mutual productive harmony between man and his environment. The law also established, in the Executive Office of the President, a Council on Environmental Quality to develop guide- lines for agencies affected by the law. Insofar as airport development is concerned, any required Federal actions regarding proposals that sig- nificantly affect the quality of the environment must be accompanied by findings concerning: a. The environmental impact of the proposed action. b. Any adverse environmental effects which can- not be avoided should the proposal be implemented. c. Alternatives to the proposed action. d. The relationship between local short-term uses of man's environment and the maintenance and en- hancement of long-term productivity. e. Any irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources which would be involved in the proposed action should it be implemented. 42. Application of Environmental Criteria. In line with the above guidelines and policy, an air- port master plan (including site selection) must be evaluated factually in terms of any proposed develop- ment which is likely to: a. Noticeably affect the ambient noise level for a significant number of people. b. Displace significant numbers of people. c. Have a significant aesthetic or visual effect. d. Divide or disrupt an established community or divide existing uses (e.g., cutting off residential areas from recreation or shopping areas). e. Have any effect on areas of unique interest or scenic beauty. f. Destroy or derogate from important recrea- tional areas. g• Substantially alter the pattern of behavior for a species. h. Interfere with important wildlife breeding, nesting, or feeding grounds. 1. Significantly increase air or water pollution. j. Adversely affect the water table of an area. 23