Environmental Laws
Toxic Substance Control Act
EPA is given the ability to track the 75,000 industrial chemicals currently produced or imported into the United States. EPA repeatedly screens these chemicals and can require reporting or testing of those that may pose an environmental or human-health hazard. EPA can ban the manufacture and import of those chemicals that pose an unreasonable risk. Draft year: 1976 human health EPA
Hazardous Materials Transportation Act
Governs the transportation of hazardous materials and wastes. Draft year: 1975 safety Research and Special Programs Administration (RITA) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) United States Coast Guard (USCG) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Department of Energy (DOE) Atomic Energy Authority (AEA) Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Department of Transportation (DOT) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Law of the Sea Convention
International agreement that sets rules for the use of the world's oceans, which cover 70 percent of the Earth's surface. Draft year: 1994 water pollution and over usage
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
Management of non-hazardous and hazardous solid waste including landfills and storage tanks. Set minimal standards for all waste disposal facilities and for hazardous wastes. Draft year: 1976 pollution and destruction of the environment EPA
Occupational Safety and Health Act
OSHA was created to protect worker and health. Its main aim was to ensure that employers provide their workers with an environment free from dangers to their safety and health, such as exposure to toxic chemicals, excessive noise levels, mechanical dangers, heat or cold stress, or unsanitary conditions. Draft year: 1971 Human health.
Atomic Energy Act
Provides for the development and regulation of the uses of nuclear materials and facilities in the US. Draft year: 1954 nuclear wastes Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Consumer Product Safety Act
Purpose is to protect the public against unreasonable risks of injury associated with consumer products. Draft year: 1972 human health Its an independent federal regulatory agency.
Energy Policy Act
The Act originally publicizes radiation protection standards for the Yucca Mountain repository. Draft year: 2005 The main environmental issue being affected by the Energy Policy Act is radiation.
Clean Air Acts
The CAA is a federal law that regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources. One of its main goals is to inform the public about air pollutants and its affects on the world. Draft year: 1970. The main environmental issue being affected by the CAA is air pollutants. The United States Environmental Protection Agency.
CERCLA
The CERCLA allows the EPA to respond to releases of hazardous substances that may endanger public health, welfare, and the environment. It also gives the EPA the ability to force the party responsible for environmental contamination to clean it up or pay the EPA for the remediation costs. Draft year: 1980 The main environmental issue being affected by the CERCLA is hazardous waste in the environment. The Unites States Department of Justice and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
US Clean Water Act
The CWA regulates quality standards for surface waters and discharges of pollutants in the United States waters. Draft year: 1948, reorganized in 1972. The main environmental issue being affected by the CWA is water pollutants. The United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Convention of Ozone depletion (Montreal Protocol)
The Convention of Ozone depletion is an international agreement that protects the ozone layer by reducing the substances that are responsible for ozone depletion. Draft Year: It was agreed on in 1987 and put into force in 1989. The main environmental issue being affected by the Convention of ozone depletion is ozone depletion. The United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United Nations Environment Program organized efforts in 1982 to negotiate an international agreement.
Environmental Protection Agency
The EPA is an agency of the U.S. federal government which was created for the purpose of protecting human health and the environment by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress. Draft year: 1970 The main environmental issue being affected by the EPA is unprotected humans and wildlife. It is an agency.
Endangered Species Act
The Endangered Species Act protects species that are considered to be threatened or endangered. Includes migratory birds and their habitats. Draft year: 1973 The main environmental issue being affected by the Endangered Species Act is endangered species. Fish and Wildlife Service(FWS) and National Marine Fisheries Service(NMFS).
Safe Drinking Water Act
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is allowed to set the standards for drinking water quality and oversees all of the states, localities, and water suppliers who implement these standards. Draft year: 1974 human health EPA
Convention on Climate Change (Kyoto Protocol)
The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement that is linked to the Convention on climate change, which commits its parties by setting internationally binding emission reduction targets. Countries actual emissions have to be monitored and precise records have to be kept of the trades carried out. Draft year: It was adopted in 1997, and put into force in 2001. The main environmental issue being affected by the Convention on Climate Change is the emissions of green house gases and climate change. The United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act
The Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act requires each waterfowl hunter 16 years of age or older to possess a valid Federal hunting stamp. Draft year: 1934 The main environmental issue being affected by the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act is The Bureau of Biological Survey.
National Environmental Policy Act
The NEPA is a United States environmental law that promotes the enhancement of the environment and established the President's Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). Draft year: 1970 The main environmental issue being affected by the NEPA is destruction of the environment. The Federal government.
National Wildlife Refuge System
The National Wildlife Refuge System is a designation for certain protected areas of the United States. Draft year: 1903 The main environmental issue being affected by the National Wildlife Refuge System is unprotected wildlife. United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
The Oil Pollution Act of 1990
The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 states "A company cannot ship oil into the United States until it presents a plan to prevent spills that may occur. It must also have a detailed containment and cleanup plan in case of an oil spill emergency." Draft year: 1990 protects the environment. U.S. Coast Guard
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act
The SMCRA requires restoration of abandoned mines. Draft year: 1977 The main environmental issue being affected by the SMCRA is pollution.
Soil Conservation Act
The Soil Conservation Act provides for a continuing appraisal of US soil, water, and related resources, including fish and wildlife habitats, and a soil and water conservation program to assist landowner. Draft year: 1936 The main environmental issue being affected by the Soil Conservation Act is unprotected resources and habitats. Federal government.
Solid Waste Disposal Act
The Solid Waste Disposal Act is to find better and more efficient ways to dispose of solid waste; promotes shredding and separation of waste and burning of remaining materials to produce stream or generate electricity; promotes recycling. Draft year: 1965 The main environmental issue being affected by the Solid Waste Disposal Act is the destruction of the environment. Environmental Protection Agency.
Taylor Grazing Act
The Taylor Grazing Act is a United States federal law that regulates grazing on federal public land. The Secretary of the Interior has the authority to handle all of the regulations, and he became responsible for establishing grazing districts. Before these districts are created there must be a hearing held by the state. Draft year: 1934 Grazing regulations. The Secretary of the Interior.
Wilderness Act
The Wilderness Act allowed congress to set aside federally owned land for preservation. Draft year: 1964
Lacey Act
A conservation law prohibiting the transportation of illegally captured or prohibited animals across state lines. It was the first federal law protecting wildlife, and is still in effect, though it has been revised several times. Today the law is primarily used to prevent the importation or spread of potentially dangerous non-native species. Draft year: 1900 The main environmental issue being affected by the Lacey Act is potentially dangerous non-native species. When they are taken from federal land, the designated Federal law enforcement agency is responsible for enforcing the Lacey Act.
United Nations Environmental Programme
An agency of the United Nations that coordinates its environmental activities, assisting developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies and practices. Draft year: 1972 environment protection it is an agency
Food and Drug Administration
Assures the safety, wholesomeness, efficacy, and truthful packaging and labeling of food, drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices. Draft year: 1906 human safety Its an administration.
Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES)
CITES is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. Draft year: Agreed upon in 1973 and put into force in 1975. The main environmental issue being affected by CITES is international trade of wild animals and plants. The U.S department of the interiors U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
National Park Act
Created Yosemite and Yellowstone National Parks. Draft year: 1916
