Ap environment laws

Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990

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Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980

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Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act of 1947

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Ocean Dumping Act of 1988

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Oil Pollution Act of 1990

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Refuse Act of 1899

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Water Quality Act of 1987

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National Wildlife Refuge system Act of 1996

On October 9, 1997, President Clinton signed the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 into law. This new law amends and builds upon the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 to ensure that the National Wildlife Refuge System is managed as a national system of related lands, waters, and interests for the protection and conservation of our Nation's wildlife resources. The 1966 Act provides guidelines and directives for administration and management of all areas in the system, including "wildlife refuges, areas for the protection and conservation of fish and wildlife that are threatened with extinction, wildlife ranges, game ranges, wildlife management areas, or waterfowl production areas." The Secretary is authorized to permit by regulations the use of any area within the system provided "such uses are compatible with the major prposes for which such areas were established."

Federal land Policy and Management Act of 1976

1976 federal law that outlines procedures concerning the use and preservation of public US lands

Montreal Protocol

An international treaty designed to regulate production of chemicals and substances that deplete the ozone layer. Created in order to protect ozone. It was entered into force on January 1st, 1989. In result of its implementation the ozone hole over Antarctica is slowly recovering. It's expected to return to the size it was in 1980 between 2050 and 2075. One of the first universally ratified treaty in United Nations history. It has been further strengthened by 5 amendments that adjusted the protocol by adding new ozone depleting substances to the list of substances controlled under the protocol.

Northwest Power Act of 1980

Authorized the four states of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington to form the Northwest Power and Conservation Council (Council). The Northwest Power Act directs the Council to prepare a plan to protect, mitigate and enhance fish and wildlife of the Columbia River Basin that have been affected by the construction and operation of hydroelectric dams while also assuring the Pacific Northwest an adequate, efficient, economical and reliable electric power supply.

General Mining Act of 1872

Authorizes and governs prospecting and mining for economic minerals, such as gold, platinum, and silver, on federal public lands. This law, approved on May 10, 1872, codified the informal system of acquiring and protecting mining claims on public land, formed by prospectors in California and Nevada from the late 1840s through the 1860s, such as during the California Gold Rush. All citizens of the United States of America 18 years or older have the right under the 1872 mining law to locate a lode (hard rock) or placer (gravel) mining claim on federal lands open to mineral entry. These claims may be located once a discovery of a locatable mineral is made. Locatable minerals include but are not limited to platinum, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, uranium and tungsten.

Wilderness Act of 1964

Created a way for Congress and Americans to designate "wilderness areas," which represent the nation's highest form of land protection. No roads, vehicles or permanent structures are allowed in designated wilderness. A wilderness designation also prohibits activities like logging or mining. Created the National Wilderness Preservation System, which manages the nation's protected wilderness areas. Immediately put 9.1 million acres of wild American lands into the National Wilderness Preservation System, protecting them as designated wilderness.The Wilderness Act is well known for its succinct and poetic definition of wilderness: "A wilderness, in contrast with those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain."

National Forest Management Act of 1976

Congress passed the National Forest Management Act (NFMA) in 1976 to reform the Forest Service and ensure that the agency give due consideration to wildlife, water quality, and recreation as well as the logging, road building, grazing, and other activities associated with resource extraction. The legislation required each national forest and grassland to develop management plans and periodically revise them.

Energy star Labeling Program (not a law)

ENERGY STAR is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) voluntary program that helps businesses and individuals save money and protect our climate through superior energy efficiency. The ENERGY STAR program was established by EPA in 1992, under the authority of the Clean Air Act Section 103(g). Section103(g) of the Clean Air Act directs the Administrator to "conduct a basic engineering research and technology program to develop, evaluate, and demonstrate non-regulatory strategies and technologies for reducing air pollution." In 2005, Congress enacted the Energy Policy Act. Section 131 of the Act amends Section 324 (42 USC 6294) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, and "established at the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency a voluntary program to identify and promote energy-efficient products and buildings in order to reduce energy consumption, improve energy security, and reduce pollution through voluntary labeling of or other forms of communication about products and buildings that meet the highest energy efficiency standards.

Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act of 1980

Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act authorizes financial and technical assistance to the States for the development, revision, and implementation of conservation plans and programs for nongame fish and wildlife. The original Act authorized $5 million each year to do so. It also required the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to study potential mechanisms for funding these activities and report to Congress.

General Revision Act of 1891

Gave the president authority to establish forest reserves on federally owned land

National Trails System Act of 1968

In order to provide for the ever-increasing outdoor recreation needs of an expanding population and in order to promote the preservation of, public access to, travel within, and enjoyment and appreciation of the open-air, outdoor areas and historic resources of the Nation, trails should be established (i) primarily, near the urban areas of the Nation, and (ii) secondarily, within scenic areas and along historic travel routes of the Nation which are often more remotely located. The purpose of this Act is to provide the means for attaining these objectives by instituting a national system of recreation, scenic and historic trails, by designating the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail as the initial components of that system, and by prescribing the methods by which, and standards according to which, additional components may be added to the system.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED; not a law)

LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices. To receive LEED certification, building projects satisfy prerequisites and earn points to achieve different levels of certification. Prerequisites and credits differ for each rating system, and teams choose the best fit for their project.

Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act of 1983

More consumer-oriented than its predecessor, the 1938 Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act was a watershed in US food policy. In contrast to the limited health-based standards that the Ministry of Health proposed in Britain during the Depression, the US, largely through the efforts of women's groups, pioneered policies designed to protect the pocketbooks of consumers, and food standards were enacted to ensure the 'value expected' by consumers. The 1938 Act eliminated the 'distinctive name proviso' and required instead that the label of a food 'bear its common or usual name'. The food would be misbranded if it represented itself as a standardized food unless it conformed to that standard. The law provided for three kinds of food standards: 1) standards (definitions) of identity, 2) standards of quality, and 3) standards regulating the fill of container. Regulators had the discretionary authority to set standards 'whenever in the judgment of the Secretary such action will promote honesty and fair dealing in the interests of consumers'

Madrid Protocol

One of two treaties comprising the Madrid System for international registration of trademarks. The protocol is a filing treaty and not a substantive harmonization treaty. It provides a cost-effective and efficient way for trademark holders -- individuals and businesses -- to ensure protection for their marks in multiple countries through the filing of one application with a single office, in one language, with one set of fees, in one currency.

Marine Plastic Pollution Control Act of 1987

Prohibits the dumping of plastics in all U.S. waters and applies to all watercraft, requires all marinas to maintain adequate facilities for the disposal of refuse

Alaska National Interest Lands Act of 1980

Protected over 100 million acres of federal lands in Alaska, doubling the size of the country's national park and refuge system and tripling the amount of land designated as wilderness. ANILCA expanded the national park system in Alaska by over 43 million acres, creating 10 new national parks and increasing the acreage of three existing units.

National Appliance Energy Conservation Act of 1987

Set minimum efficiency standards for numerous categories of appliances.

Fur Seal Act Amendments of 1983

The 1966 statute prohibited, except under specified conditions, the taking, including transportation, importation or possession, of fur seals and sea otters. Exceptions are authorized for Indians, Aleuts, and Eskimos who dwell on the coasts of the North Pacific Ocean, who are permitted to take fur seals and dispose of their skins. The statute also authorized the Secretary of Interior to conduct scientific research on the fur seal resources of the North Pacific Ocean.

National Environmental Education Act of 1990

The Act establishes and supports educational programs to improve awareness of environmental problems and encourages students to pursue careers related to the environment.

Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956

The Act of August 8, 1956, as frequently amended, establishes a comprehensive national fish, shellfish, and wildlife resources policy with emphasis on the commercial fishing industry but also with a direction to administer the Act with regard to the inherent right of every citizen and resident to fish for pleasure, enjoyment, and betterment and to maintain and increase public opportunities for recreational use of fish and wildlife resources.

Antiquities Act of 1906

The Antiquities Act is special because it allows the president to protect America's wildlands and historical sites as national monuments.The president can use the Antiquities Act to: Protect special natural, historical and cultural areas as national monuments Change monument boundaries Direct resources toward monument management Re-designate monuments as national parks Congress also has the ability to declare national parks.

Clean Water Act of 1972

The Clean Water Act (CWA) is the primary federal law in the United States governing water pollution. Passed in 1972, the objective of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, commonly referred to as the Clean Water Act (CWA), is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters by preventing point and nonpoint pollution sources, providing assistance to publicly owned treatment works for the improvement of wastewater treatment, and maintaining the integrity of wetlands.

Resource Recovery Act of 1970

The EPA was created by an Executive Order from President Nixon. This is the law that outlines the objectives of that agency and gives power to it.

Energy Policy Act of 1992

The Energy Policy Act of 1992 aims to reduce U.S. dependence on imported petroleum and improve air quality by addressing all aspects of energy supply and demand, including alternative fuels, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. EPAct 1992 encourages the use of alternative fuels through both regulatory and voluntary activities and approaches the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) carries out. It requires federal, state, and alternative fuel provider fleets to acquire alternative fuel vehicles. EPAct 1992 also defines "alternative fuels" as: methanol, ethanol, and other alcohols; blends of 85% or more of alcohol with gasoline (E85); natural gas and liquid fuels domestically produced from natural gas; propane; hydrogen; electricity; biodiesel (B100); coal-derived liquid fuels; fuels, other than alcohol, derived from biological materials; and P-Series fuels, which were added to the definition in 1999. Under EPAct 1992, DOE has the authority to add more alternative fuels to the list of authorized alternative fuels if certain criteria are met. DOE's Clean Cities initiative was established in response to EPAct 1992 to implement voluntary alternative fuel vehicle deployment activities.

Freedom of Information Act

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a federal law that generally provides that any person has a right, enforceable in court, to obtain access to federal agency records. All federal agencies, including EPA, are required to make requested records available unless the records are protected from disclosure by one of nine FOIA exemptions contained in the statute. The FOIA applies only to federal agencies. It does not apply to records held by Congress, the courts, or by state or local government agencies. Each state has its own public access laws that should be consulted for access to state and local records.

Kyoto Protocol

The Kyoto Protocol, which follows the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, is one of the chief instruments for tackling climate change. It contains the undertakings entered into by the industrialised countries to reduce their emissions of certain greenhouse gases which are responsible for global warming. The total emissions of the developed countries are to be reduced by at least 5 % over the period 2008-2012 compared with 1990 levels.

Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act

The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) is the primary law governing marine fisheries management in United States federal waters. The Act was first enacted in 1976 and amended in 1996. Most notably, the Magnuson-Stevens Act aided in the development of the domestic fishing industry by phasing out foreign fishing. To manage the fisheries and promote conservation, the Act created eight regional fishery management councils. The 1996 amendments focused rebuilding overfished fisheries, protecting essential fish habitat, and reducing bycatch. President George W. Bush, through his Ocean Action Plan, made reauthorizing the Magnuson-Stevens Act a top priority. The President called for a hard deadline to end overfishing, increased use of market-based management tools, creation of a national saltwater angler registry, and an emphasis on ecosystem approaches to management.

National Environmental Policy Act Of 1969

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was one of the first laws ever written that establishes the broad national framework for protecting our environment. NEPA's basic policy is to assure that all branches of government give proper consideration to the environment prior to undertaking any major federal action that significantly affects the environment. NEPA requirements are invoked when airports, buildings, military complexes, highways, parkland purchases, and other federal activities are proposed. Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), which are assessments of the likelihood of impacts from alternative courses of action, are required from all Federal agencies and are the most visible NEPA requirements.

National Invasive Species Act of 1996

The National Invasive Species Act amended the Non-indigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act to mandate regulations to prevent introduction and spread of aquatic nuisance species into the Great Lakes through ballast water. The law also funded research on the prevention and control of invasive aquatic species. The law required a new ballast water management program to prevent invasive species from being introduced. Finally, it required a task force to implement a program to control the brown tree snake in Guam.

Wild And Scenic Rivers Act of 1968

The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System was created by Congress in 1968 (Public Law 90-542; 16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq.) to preserve certain rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for the enjoyment of present and future generations. The Act is notable for safeguarding the special character of these rivers, while also recognizing the potential for their appropriate use and development. It encourages river management that crosses political boundaries and promotes public participation in developing goals for river protection.

Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982

The Nuclear Waste Policy Act (NWPA) supports the use of deep geologic repositories for the safe storage and/or disposal of radioactive waste. The Act establishes procedures to evaluate and select sites for geologic repositories and for the interaction of state and federal governments. It also provides a timetable of key milestones the federal agencies must meet in carrying out the program. The NWPA assigns the Department of Energy (DOE) the responsibility to site, build, and operate a deep geologic repository for the disposal of high-level waste and spent nuclear fuel. It directs EPA to develop standards for protection of the general environment from offsite releases of radioactive material in repositories. The Act directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to license DOE to operate a repository only if it meets EPA's standards and all other relevant requirements.

Ocean Dumping Act of 1972

The Ocean Dumping Act of 1972 has two basic aims: to regulate intentional ocean disposal of materials, and to authorize related research. The basic provisions of the act have remained virtually unchanged since 1972, when it was enacted to establish a comprehensive waste management system to regulate disposal or dumping of all materials into marine waters that are within U.S. jurisdiction, although a number of new authorities have been added.

Oil Pollution Act of 1987

The Oil Pollution Act (OPA) of 1990 streamlined and strengthened EPA's ability to prevent and respond to catastrophic oil spills. A trust fund financed by a tax on oil is available to clean up spills when the responsible party is incapable or unwilling to do so. The OPA requires oil storage facilities and vessels to submit to the Federal government plans detailing how they will respond to large discharges. EPA has published regulations for aboveground storage facilities; the Coast Guard has done so for oil tankers. The OPA also requires the development of Area Contingency Plans to prepare and plan for oil spill response on a regional scale.

Pollution prevention Act of 1990

The Pollution Prevention Act focused industry, government, and public attention on reducing the amount of pollution through cost-effective changes in production, operation, and raw materials use. Opportunities for source reduction are often not realized because of existing regulations, and the industrial resources required for compliance, focus on treatment and disposal. Source reduction is fundamentally different and more desirable than waste management or pollution control. Source reduction refers to practices that reduce hazardous substances from being released into the environment prior to recycling, treatment or disposal. The term includes equipment or technology modifications, process or procedure modifications, reformulation or redesign of products, substitution of raw materials, and improvements in housekeeping, maintenance, training, or inventory control. Pollution prevention includes practices that increase efficiency in the use of energy, water, or other natural resources, and protect our resource base through conservation.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) of 1976, which amended the Solid Waste Disposal Act, addresses solid (Subtitle D) and hazardous (Subtitle C) waste management activities. The Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments (HSWA) of 1984 strengthened RCRA's waste management provisions and added Subtitle I, which governs underground storage tanks (USTs). Regulated entities that generate hazardous waste are subject to waste accumulation, manifesting, and recordkeeping standards. Facilities that treat, store, or dispose of hazardous waste must obtain a permit, either from EPA or from a state agency that EPA has authorized to implement the permitting program.

Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is the main federal law that ensures the quality of Americans' drinking water. Under SDWA, EPA sets standards for drinking water quality and oversees the states, localities, and water suppliers who implement those standards. SDWA was originally passed by Congress in 1974 to protect public health by regulating the nation's public drinking water supply. The law was amended in 1986 and 1996 and requires many actions to protect drinking water and its sources: rivers, lakes, reservoirs, springs, and groundwater wells.

Soil Conservation Act of 1935

The Soil Consevation Act, which established the Soil Conservation Service, sought to "control floods, prevent impairment of reservoirs and maintain the navigability of rivers and harbors, protect public health, public lands and relieve unemployment." The act stated that for the general welfare of the nation, and in order to prevent other natural disasters similar to the dust bowl, the land we own should be used sparingly, and should not be wasted.

Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1965

The Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1965 was the first federal effort to improve waste disposal technology. Its principal aim was regulation of municipal waste disposal technology, while recognizing that solid waste management was essentially a local issue. The Environmental Protection Agency was tasked with developing standards for waste disposal. Further, it was the intent of Congress that states and tribes be responsible for implementing and enforcing the regulations.

Taylor Grazing Act of 1934

The Taylor Grazing Act of 1934 is a United States federal law that provides for the regulation of grazing on the public lands (excluding Alaska) to improve rangeland conditions and regulate their use.The law initially permitted 80,000,000 ac (32,000,000 ha) of previously unreserved public lands of the United States to be placed into grazing districts to be administered by the Department of the Interior. As amended, the law now sets no limit on the amount of lands in grazing districts.

Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992

The WBCA was enacted on October 23, 1992, to ensure that exotic bird species are not harmed by international trade and encourages wild bird conservation programs in countries of origin. The U.S Fish & Wildlife services may issue permits to allow import of listed birds for scientific research, zoological breeding or display, or personal pet purposes when the applicant meets certain criteria.The Service may approve cooperative breeding programs of WBCA-protected birds, and subsequent import permits under such breeding programs. The WBCA also encourages wild bird conservation programs in countries of origin. For example, wild-caught birds may be imported into the United States if they were produced in accordance with Service-approved management plans for sustainable use of the species.

Farm Security and Rural Investment Act

The act directs approximately 16.5 billion dollars of funding toward agricultural subsidies each year.[1] These subsidies have a dramatic effect on the production of grains, oilseeds, and upland cotton. The specialized nature of the farm bill, as well as the size and timing of the bill, made its passage highly contentious.

Clean Air Act of 1970

The clean air act defines the EPA's responsibilities for protecting and improving air quality. Stated in the act are federal and state responsibilities to limit stationary and mobile emissions, National Air Quality standards, standards for hazardous air pollutants, lastly state implementation plans to achieve such standards.

Ocean Act of 2000

To establish a commission to make recommendations for a coordinated and comprehensive national ocean policy that will promote: (1) protection of life and property (2) stewardship of ocean and coastal resources (3) protection of marine environment and prevention of marine pollution (4) enhancement of maritime commerce (5) expansion of human knowledge of the marine environment (6) investments in technologies to promote energy and food security (7) close cooperation among government agencies (8) U.S. leadership in ocean and coastal activities.

Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978

Unless authorized by permit, the Act makes it unlawful to: take native mammals or birds engage in harmful interference enter specially designated areas introduce species to Antarctica introduce substances designated as pollutants discharge designated pollutants import certain antarctic items into the USA The Act provides penalties of up to $11,000 and 1-year imprisonment for each violation. Other penalties could include removal from Antarctica, rescission of a grant, or sanctions by your employer.

Endangered Species Act Of 1973

When Congress passed the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 1973, it recognized that our rich natural heritage is of "esthetic, ecological, educational, recreational, and scientific value to our Nation and its people." It further expressed concern that many of our nation's native plants and animals were in danger of becoming extinct. Under the ESA, species may be listed as either endangered or threatened. "Endangered" means a species is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. "Threatened" means a species is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future. All species of plants and animals, except pest insects, are eligible for listing as endangered or threatened. For the purposes of the ESA, Congress defined species to include subspecies, varieties, and, for vertebrates, distinct population segments

Food Quality Protection Act of 1996

With the enactment of the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996, Congress presented EPA with an enormous challenge of implementing the most comprehensive and historic overhaul of the Nation's pesticide and food safety laws in decades. The FQPA amended the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Federal Food Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) by fundamentally changing the way EPA regulates pesticides. Some of the major requirements include stricter safety standards, especially for infants and children, and a complete reassessment of all existing pesticide tolerances. This web site provides background information on FQPA's provisions and discusses some of the specific issues raised by FQPA, as well as the law's implementation status.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (cites)

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.

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977

primary federal law that regulates the environmental effects of coal mining in the United States. SMCRA created two programs: one for regulating active coal mines and a second for reclaiming abandoned mine lands.

North American Wetlands Conservation Act of 1989

provides matching grants to organizations and individuals who have developed partnerships to carry out wetlands conservation projects in the United States, Canada, and Mexico for the benefit of wetlands associated migratory birds and other wildlife.

Forest Legacy Program

provision of the 1990 farm bill that helps private landowners protect environmentally important forestlands from developmen

National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA)

regulates energy consumption of specific household appliance and creating mandatory standards that deal with the energy efficiency of certain household appliances. These standards were put in place to ensure that manufacturers were building products that are at the maximum energy efficiency levels are that are technically feasible and economically justified.

Public Rangeland Improvement Act of 1978

required improvement of federal lands that have been degraded my domestic livestock grazing

Emergency Wetlands Resources Act of 1986

this act authorized the purchase of wetlands from Land and Water Conservation Fund monies, removing a prior prohibition on such acquisitions

Organic Foods Production Act of 1990

to establish national standards for the production and handling of foods labeled as "organic." Previously, private and State agencies had been certifying organic practices, but there was no uniformity in standards and therefore no guarantee that "organic" meant the same thing from state to state, or even locally from certifier to certifier. National standards for organic products were desired by both producers and consumers to clear up this confusion in the marketplace and to protect against mislabeling or fraud.