Overview of Clean Water and Clean Air Acts (ppt. 8 policy)

Clean Water Act

An amendment of the Federal Water Pollution Act, primarily administered by the EPA, aimed at regulating water pollution.

Point source pollution

Pollution that comes from a single, identifiable source, such as a pipe or a drain.

Non-point source pollution

Pollution that does not come from a single source but rather from multiple sources, often carried by runoff.

National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit

A permit required for pollution from industrial or municipal water drainage, established under Section 402 of the Clean Water Act.

Section 404

Focuses on wetlands point-source pollution and regulates dredge and fill operations.

No net loss

A concept in wetlands policy that aims to ensure that any loss of wetlands is compensated by the creation or restoration of equivalent wetlands.

Water Quality Standards (WQS)

Standards that each water body of every state must meet, including numerical and narrative criteria for designated uses.

Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)

The maximum amount of a pollutant that a body of water can receive while still meeting water quality standards.

Jurisdictional Wetlands

Areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water sufficient to support vegetation adapted for life in saturated soil conditions.

Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Practices designed to control nonpoint source pollution and protect soil, water, and other forest resources.

State Implementation Plan (SIP)

A plan that each state must develop to attain and maintain National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)

Standards established to protect public health and the environment from harmful air pollutants.

Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs)

Pollutants that are known to cause serious health effects, which the Clean Air Act requires the EPA to list and regulate.

Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT)

Standards set by the EPA to control hazardous air pollutants.

Clean Power Plan

An EPA initiative aimed at reducing nationwide emissions by 32% from 2005 to 2030, allowing states to choose compliance methods.

Acid rain

Rainfall made acidic by atmospheric pollution, particularly from sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides.

Ozone-depleting chemicals

Substances that contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer, which the Clean Air Act amendments aimed to phase out.

Schilling et al. (2009)

A reference to a study or publication related to Best Management Practices in forestry.

Ice et al. (2010)

A reference to a study or publication related to Best Management Practices in forestry.

Decker v. NEDC

A Supreme Court case that addressed whether logging-related discharges required a Section 402 stormwater permit.

Supreme Court ruling on logging roads

The court held that runoff from logging roads does not require permits under the Clean Water Act.

WOTUS (Waters of the United States)

A term that defines the waters subject to federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act, which has been a subject of legal debate.

Pollutant levels for ambient air

Maximum levels of pollutants established to protect public health and the environment, regulated under the Clean Air Act.

Pollution rights trading

A market-based approach established under the Clean Air Act amendments to allow companies to buy and sell pollution allowances.

Environmental Defense Center (NEDC)

An organization that challenged the EPA's interpretation of point source pollution in relation to logging activities.

Compliance with BMPs

Required adherence to Best Management Practices and applicable federal and state laws for forest certification standards.

Clean water act section 402 focuses on what

industrial point-source

pollution; established National Pollution Discharge

Elimination System (NPDES) Permi

Clean water act section 404 focuses on what

Focuses on Wetlands point-source pollution-
see factsheet. Dredge and fill operations.

Clean water act section 208/319 focuses on what

Nonpoint source pollution
 States are required to prepare water quality
management plans and identify nonpoint sources of
pollution
 States could devise either regulatory or voluntary
programs
 Forestry BMPs

Clean water act section 303

• Water Quality Standards (WQS)-under section 303

 Each water body of every state must meet certain

ambient water quality standards