Environmental Policy

Clean Air Act

1963 President Johnson Federal law enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency Designed to control air pollution on a national level First and foremost most influential modern environmental law

Wilderness Act

1964 - President Johnson National Wilderness Preservation System Wilderness recognized as an area where the Earth and its community are unaltered by man Areas can be designated Enforced by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

Solid Waste Act

1965 - President Johnson Part of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Broad attempt to address the solid waste problems Hard to enforce by the Federal Government Under the jurisdiction of the EPA

Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

1968 President Johnson Protects currently 200 rivers in 35 states and Puerto Rico Act's legacy is one of protecting the special character of certain rivers while recognizing the potential for use and development (hydro-electric) Enforced by the Fisheries and Wildlife Service and U.S. Forest Service

National Environmental Policy Act

1970 President Richard Nixon NEPA Promotes the enhancement of the environment Established a President's Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Environmental Impact Statements required under the Clean Air Act are maintained as part of the EIS data base. EPA plays a major and unique role in preparing documents for compliance under NEPA.

Marine Mammal Protection Act

1972 President Richard Nixon Makes it illegal to take marine mammals without a permit. Protects all marine mammals. Fisheries and Wildlife Service along with National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) responsible for managing the Act

Clean Water Act

1972 Signed into law by Richard Nixon The law establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface waters. The basis of the CWA was enacted in 1948 and was called the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, but the Act was significantly reorganized and expanded in 1972. "Clean Water Act" became the Act's common name with amendments in 1972.

Endangered Species Act

1973 President Richard Nixon Provides for conservation of species that are threatened throughout all or a significant portion of their range and the conservation of the ecosystems on which they depend. Managed by the Fisheries and Wildlife Service

Safe Drinking Water Act

1974 President Richard Nixon Federal law that protects public drinking water supplies throughout the country EPA is responsible for setting standards for drinking water quality. Drinking water quality is monitored in conjunction with EPA partners (State agencies)

Toxic Substances Control Act

1976 Signed into law by President Gerald R. Ford Provides the EPA with authority to require reporting, record keeping and testing requirements and restrictions relating to chemical substances and/or mixtures. TSCA addresses the production, importation, use and disposal of specific chemicals - PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls, asbestos, radon and lead based paint.)

Soil and Water Conservation Act

1977 Signed into law by Jimmy Carter United States Department of Agriculture (USDA); Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) given authority for planning and implementing. Developed out of concern for the sustained use of soil and water and related resources. The Act provides for the collection and periodic analysis of resource data and appraisals of the status, condition and trends of these resources. 1982 National report and its recommendations led to the Conservation Reserve and Wetland Reserve Program as part of the 1985 Farm Bill.

Federal Environmental Pesticide Control Act

In 1972, amended the 1947 (FIFRA). Nixon Gave administration to the EPA. Implemented a program for controlling the sale, distribution, and application of pesticides through an administrative registration process. The amendments provided for classifying pesticides for "general" or "restricted" use. "Restricted" pesticides may only be applied by or under the direct supervision of a certified applicator.

Environmental Protection Agency

President Nixon's Advisory Council on Executive Organization recommended the formation of an agency to place in charge of key anti-pollution legislation, (April 1970). Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was officially born, signed into law on December 2, 1970 by Richard M. Nixon. The mission of the EPA: "to protect human health and the environment". Current administrator - Gina McCarthy (2016). Main legislative responsibility - Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act EPA is called a regulatory agency because Congress authorizes us to write regulations that explain the critical details necessary to implement environmental laws. In addition, a number of Presidential Executive Orders (EOs) play a central role in our activities.

CERCLA

Superfund OR Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). US Federal law signed in 1980 by Ronald Reagan. It was designed to clean up, uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous-waste sites as well as accidents, spills and other emergency releases of pollutants and contaminants into the environment. EPA given the power to seek out the parties responsible for any release and assure their cooperation in clean-up and assessing any fines.