ABSTRACT
Environmental planning can help communities to avoid or minimize air and water pollution, loss of wild-life, the conversion of farm and forest lands, and degradation of the built environment. The comprehensive plan establishes the traditional foundation for local and regional planning. Planning is central to any government policy or business decision. Elected leaders and citizens rely on public plans to guide budgets and financial investments, make land-use regulations, and adopt infrastructure spending programs. Public environmental planning is put into practice through federal, state, and local government laws, regulations, tax policy, and spending programs that discourage, encourage, or require certain actions by companies, individuals, and governments. Municipal and county governments have primary responsibility for planning the use of the natural and built environments, although local comprehensive plans and regulations may be influenced by federal and state laws, requirements, and guidelines. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
