Environmental Laws APES

The Clear Air Act (1970)

regulates air emissions from mobile and stationary sources

Clean Water Act (1972)

regulates discharges of pollutants into surface waters

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

also known as superfund

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)

Prevents the international trade of species threatened with extinction

Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE)

standards regulate the fuel consumption requirements for cars and trucks.

Endangered Species Act (1973)

protects threatened and endangered plants and animals

Energy Independence and Security Act (2007)

promoted the use of biofuels (renewable fuels and increased efficiency

Energy Policy Act (1992)

encouraged energy efficiency and the use of alternative fuels

Environmental Education Act (1990)

created an office in the EPA for environmental education

FFDCA

gives the FDS authority to oversee food and drug safety

FIFRA

requires pesticides to be registered and approved by the EPA

Federal Water Pollution Control (1948)

first major U.S. law to address water pollution

Food Quality Protection Act (1996)

required stricter standards for pesticide exposure in food.

Food Security Act (1985)

“Farm Bill”, discouraged farmers from converting wetlands into cropland

Fish and Wildlife Act (1956)

established a national policy to protect and manage the nation’s wildlife conservation

General Mining Act (1872)

allows individuals and companies to mine minerals on federal lands for low fees

Hard rock Mining and Reclamation Act (2007 proposal)

aimed to reform the 1872 law by requiring companies to pay royalties and clean up sites

Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (1975)

regulates the safe transport of hazardous materials

Healthy Forests Initiative (2003)

promoted thinning and logging to reduce the risk of wildfires

International Environmental Protection act (1983)

authorized the president to help other nations with protecting endangered species and habitats

Kyoto Protocol (1997)

first international treaty requiring reductions in greenhouse gas emissions

UNCLOS

governs inter nations rules on use of the ocean resources

Madrid Protocol (1991)

banned mining and mineral extraction in Antarctica for 50 years

Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act (1976)

governs marine fisheries management in the U.S. federal waters

Marine Mammal Protection Act (1972)

prohibits the hunting, harassment, or killing of marine mammals

MRPSA (1972)

regulates ocean dumping

Mineral Leasing Act (1920)

authorized leasing of public lands for extraction of fossil fuels

Surface Mining Law (1977)

established regulations for mining and reclamation

Montreal Protocol (1987)

phased out the production of ozone depleting substances such as CFCs

National Energy Act (1978)

encouraged energy conservation and the use of renewable resources

NEPA

requires environmental impact statements before major federal projects

National Park Act (1916)

created the National Park Service

National Wildlife Refuge System Act (1966)

provided guidelines for the administration of wildlife refugees

Noise Control Act (1972)

authorized the EPA to regulate noise pollution

Nuclear Waste Police Act (1982)

directed the federal government to build repositories for radioactive waste and nuclear fuel

OSHA (1970)

ensures safe and healthy workplaces for employees

Ocean Dumping Ban Act (1988)

prohibits the dumping of sewage sludge into the ocean

Oil Pollution Act (1990)

strengthened regulations to prevent and respond to oil pollution

Oil Spill Prevention and Liability Act (2004)

increased penalties and prevention measures for oil spills

Paris Agreement (2015)

an international treaty to limit global warming to below 2 degrees celsius

Pollution Prevention Act (1990)

focuses on reducing pollution at the source

Refuse Act (1899)

prohibited dumping of waste into navigable waters without a permit

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (1976)

regulates the disposal of solid and hazardous waste

Safe Drinking Water Act (1974)

ensures the quality of public drinking water supplies in the U.S.

Soil and Water Conservation Act (1977)

provides for conservation of soil, water, and related natural resources

Solid Waste Disposal Act (1965)

first U.S. law on the disposal of solid waste

Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (1986)

increased funding for cleanup of hazardous waste sites

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (1977)

regulates coal mining and requires reclamation of mined land

Toxic Substances Control Act (1976)

regulates the introduction of new or existing chemicals

Wilderness Act (1964)

established the National Wilderness Preservation System to protect undeveloped federal lands