Environmental Laws Notes

Clean Air Act (CAA)

Created in 1963, it regulates all sources of air emissions

Clean Water Act(1948)

Regulates discharges of polluntants into the water and quality standards for surface waters. Under this law, it makes it unlawful to discharge any pollutant from a point source into navigable waters unless permit is obtained.

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

Created in 1973, an international agreement signed that was created to ensure the international trade in animals and plants does not threaten their survival in the Wild

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

Created in 1980, An act that cleans up uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites, accidents, spills and other releases of pollutants and contaminants.

Montreal Protocol

Created in 1987, an international agreement that agreed to produce ways to protect the ozone layer by reducing production of substances that are responsible for harming it.

Kyoto Protocol

Created in 1997, an international agreement between countries that works to reduce greenhouse gases. The Convention sets policies and measures that help reduce it and countries are asked to follow them

Endangered Species Act

Created in 1973, helps protect threatened or endangered animals, fish and plants. Also creates a list of endangered species and creates plans to protect them.

Safe Drinking Water Act(SDWA)

A federal law enacted in 1974 that aims to ensure safe drinking water for the public by setting standards for water quality and regulating public water systems.

Delaney Clause of Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act

This amendment prohibited a substance from being a food additive if it could cause a cancer in man or animal.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act(RCRA)

Created in 1976, controls the management and disposal of hazardous waste