Which of the following would NOT be considered a natural resource under NEPA?

Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), natural resources typically include components of the environment that are essential for maintaining ecosystems and supporting wildlife, human health, and overall environmental quality. Air, water, and wildlife are all fundamental parts of these ecosystems; they are essential resources that can be affected by federal actions and require careful management and assessment during environmental reviews.

Industrial waste, on the other hand, is not a natural resource. It is a byproduct of industrial processes and often poses environmental and public health risks. While the management of industrial waste is critical to environmental protection, it does not fall under the definition of natural resources as intended by NEPA. The act focuses on the protection and management of natural resources rather than human-made substances or waste products, which are typically regulated under different frameworks, such as waste management and pollution control laws.

Hence, identifying industrial waste as not being a natural resource under NEPA aligns with the intent of the law, which seeks to safeguard the environment by focusing on its natural constituents.