NHS APES Environmental Laws

Clean Air Act

Authorizes EPA to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards and to regulate airborne emissions, especially the big 7: NOx, SOx, PM, O3, VOC, CO, and Pb (1970)

Clean Water Act

Regulates the discharge of pollutants into water and sets standards for water quality of navigable surface water. Water must be deemed "swimmable and fishable". (1972)

Safe Drinking Water Act

Protects drinking water in the US. Establishes minimum water quality standards for all drinking water. (1974)

CITES

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. An International agreement that prohibits trade in endangered species. (1975)

Endangered Species Act

Provides for conservation and protection of endangered species and their habitats. Prohibits "taking" of the species. USFWS and NOAA place species on the list. (1973)

Energy Policy Act

Deals with energy efficiency of, addresses energy production, provides incentives for alternate energy.

HAZMAT

Hazardous Material and Transportaiton Act - offers protection to life and property against the dangers of transporting hazardous materials. Improves the authority of the Secretary of Transportation in tis issue (1975)

Lacey Act

Protects plants and wildlife by prohibiting trade in species that have been taken illegally and sets ciminal and civil penalties (1900)

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act

Gives the US Food and Drug Administration ability to manage the safety of food, drugs, and cosmetics. Allows the EPA to set maximum pesticide residue limits on food.

Federal Insecticde, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act

FIFRA. Provides federal regulation of pesticide distribution, sale, and use. EPA must license pesticides. (1996)

Ocean Dumping Act

Officially called the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act: Allows EPA to control ocean dumping in US waters by permit; prohibits dumping or the transportation of material with the purpose of dumping in the ocean

Nuclear Waste Policy Act

Enacted to amnage the disposal of nuclear waste. ALlows deep geological depositories for the disposal of radioactive waste. (1982)

Occupational Safety and Health Act

OSHA - ensures worplace safety and health. Helps prevent work injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. (1970)

Pollution Prevention Act

Helps individuals, organizations, and industry to reduce their pollution. Focusses on source reduction. (1990)

RCRA

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Controls the transport, treatment, and storage of the waste. Gives EPA authority to manage waste from cradle to grave. (1976)

Solid Watse Disposal Act

Controls how solid waste is disposed of. (1965)

Soil Conservation Act

ASDA must plan for soil conservation. Allows the governement to pay farmers to reduce production to conserve soil. (1936)

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act

Controls the environmental effects of coal mining... regulates existing mines and provides for reclaiming abondoned mines. (1977)

Taylor Grazing Act

Enacted to improve conditions of rangelands by regulating grazing on public lands. (1934)

Kyoto Protocol

An international agreement aimed at reducing teh effects of climate change by setting targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. US is one of only a few nations that never ratified it. (1997)

Montreal Protocol

International treaty that phases out the use of CFC's and other ozone depleting emissions to help protect the ozone layer. (1989)

NEPA

National Environmental Policy Act... formed the EPA (1969)

Wilderness Act

Protects large areas of land from development, establishes the definition of wilderness. (1964)

CERCLA

Also known as the "Superfund Act". Provides for the cleanup of the worst contaminated sites by setting up a national trust fund