Environmental Law Review

Flashcards for environmental laws, acts, protocols, and conventions.

Clean Air Act (CAA)

Regulates air emissions and sets air quality standards to protect public health and the environment.

Clean Water Act (CWA)

Regulates discharges of pollutants into surface waters and sets water quality standards.

Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)

Sets standards for safe drinking water quality and protects sources of drinking water.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

Governs the disposal of solid and hazardous waste; cradle-to-grave tracking of hazardous waste.

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)

Funds and manages cleanup of abandoned hazardous waste sites and holds polluters accountable.

Endangered Species Act (ESA)

Protects endangered and threatened species and their habitats.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

Requires Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) for projects using federal funds or land.

Delaney Clause of Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act

Prohibits the addition of carcinogenic substances to food.

Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

Regulates the introduction and use of new or existing chemicals.

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)

Regulates the use, sale, and distribution of pesticides.

Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA)

Regulates dumping of materials into ocean waters and designates marine sanctuaries.

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA)

Regulates coal mining and requires land reclamation after mining operations.

Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA)

Regulates pesticide residues in food and emphasizes protection of children’s health.

Oil Pollution Act (OPA)

Strengthens EPA’s ability to prevent and respond to oil spills.

Energy Policy Act

Addresses energy production in the U.S., including fossil fuels and renewable energy sources.

Kyoto Protocol

International treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Montreal Protocol

Bans CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances to protect the stratospheric ozone layer.

CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species)

Regulates trade of endangered plants and animals to ensure it does not threaten survival.

Paris Agreement

International agreement to limit global temperature rise through greenhouse gas reductions.

Stockholm Convention

Bans or restricts Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) like DDT.

London Dumping Convention

Controls ocean pollution by regulating waste disposal at sea.

Basel Convention

Regulates transboundary movements of hazardous wastes between nations.