Environmental Legislation Flashcards
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Vocabulary flashcards covering major environmental acts, treaties, and regulations from the lecture notes.
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Clean Air Act (CAA)
1963, 1970, 1977, 1990 | US | Regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources. Sets air quality standards, reduces pollutants harmful to human health and environment. | Air pollution, ozone depletion, acid rain, human health | EPA |
General Mining Act of 1872
1872, 1920, 1955, 1976 | US | Governs mining claims on federal lands for minerals. Allows mining with minimal environmental restrictions. | Land disturbance, habitat destruction, pollution from mining | Dept. of Interior (BLM) |
Wilderness Act
1964 | US | Establishes a National Wilderness Preservation System to protect undeveloped federal lands from development and mechanized use. | Land conservation, biodiversity protection | US Forest Service, NPS, FWS, BLM |
Clean Water Act (CWA)
1972, 1977, 1987 | US | Regulates discharge of pollutants into US waters. Sets water quality standards. Controls point source pollution via permits. | Water pollution, wetland degradation, ecosystem health | EPA, States |
Surface Mining Control & Reclamation Act
1977 | US | Regulates environmental effects of coal mining. Requires land reclamation after mining. Prevents mining in sensitive areas. | Land degradation, water contamination, soil erosion | Office of Surface Mining, States |
Fish and Wildlife Act
1956 | US | Provides for conservation, protection, and enhancement of fish and wildlife resources. | Wildlife conservation, habitat protection | US Fish & Wildlife Service |
Safe Drinking Water Act
1974, 1986, 1996 | US | Protects public drinking water by regulating contaminants and enforcing testing and treatment requirements. | Drinking water safety, public health | EPA |
Energy Policy Act
1992, amendments | US | Sets energy efficiency standards, promotes alternative energy sources, and regulates energy production and consumption. | Energy conservation, pollution, climate change mitigation | Dept. of Energy |
Kyoto Protocol
1997 | International | International treaty aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by binding developed countries to emission reduction targets. | Climate change, greenhouse gases | United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) |
Soil & Water Conservation Act
1935, 1977 | US | Provides authority to plan and implement conservation programs to prevent soil erosion and protect water quality. | Soil erosion, water pollution | USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) |
National Wildlife Refuge System Act
1966, amendments | US | Unifies management of national wildlife refuges and mandates wildlife habitat protection while allowing compatible public use. | Habitat protection, endangered species | US Fish & Wildlife Service |
Montreal Protocol
1987 | International | International agreement to phase out production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances. | Ozone layer depletion, climate change | United Nations |
Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA)
1976 | US | Governs management and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous solid wastes. Promotes waste minimization and safe treatment. | Hazardous waste, pollution prevention | EPA |
Lacey Act
1900 | US | Prohibits trafficking in illegal wildlife, fish, and plants. Addresses illegal trade and protects native species. | Wildlife trafficking, species protection | US Fish & Wildlife Service |
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
1970 | US | Requires federal agencies to assess environmental impact of their projects through Environmental Impact Statements (EIS). | Environmental impact assessment | Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) |
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
1980 | US | Provides framework for cleaning up hazardous waste sites and holds parties responsible for contamination liable. | Hazardous waste cleanup, pollution remediation | EPA |
Endangered Species Act (ESA)
1973 | US | Provides protection to endangered and threatened species and their habitats. Prohibits unauthorized taking. | Species conservation, habitat protection | US Fish & Wildlife Service, NOAA |
Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA)
1938 | US | Regulates safety of food, drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices. Authorizes FDA enforcement. | Food and drug safety | FDA |
Oil Pollution Act (OPA)
1990 | US | Strengthens EPA's ability to prevent and respond to catastrophic oil spills. Requires contingency planning. | Oil spill prevention and response | EPA, U.S. Coast Guard |
Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)
1972 | US | Prohibits harassment, hunting, capturing, or killing of marine mammals. Promotes marine mammal conservation. | Marine mammal protection | NOAA, US Fish & Wildlife Service |
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
1947, amended | US | Requires registration, distribution, and use of pesticides to protect human health and environment. | Pesticide safety, pollution control | EPA |
Oil Spill Prevention & Liability Act
1990 | US | Holds parties responsible for oil spills financially liable and mandates prevention measures. | Oil spill prevention and cleanup | EPA, U.S. Coast Guard |
Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA)
1972 | US | Regulates dumping of materials into ocean waters and designates marine sanctuaries for protection. | Ocean pollution, marine ecosystem protection | EPA, NOAA |
Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards
1975 | US | Establishes fuel efficiency standards to reduce energy consumption and emissions by automakers. | Vehicle emissions, energy consumption | NHTSA, EPA |
Ocean Dumping Ban Act
1988 | US | Prohibits ocean dumping of certain materials to protect marine environments. | Ocean pollution | EPA |
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
1973 | International | Regulates international wildlife trade to protect endangered species from over-exploitation. | Species protection, wildlife trade control | United Nations |
Pollution Prevention Act (PPA)
1990 | US | Focuses on reducing the amount of pollution through source reduction strategies rather than cleanup. | Pollution reduction, waste minimization | EPA |
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
1976 | US | Regulates the introduction and use of chemical substances to prevent environmental and health risks. | Chemical safety | EPA |
National Energy Act
1978 | US | Legislation addressing energy conservation, deregulation, and promoting alternative energy sources. | Energy conservation, renewable energy | Dept. of Energy |
Solid Waste Disposal Act
1965 | US | Regulates solid waste disposal to protect human health and environment. | Waste management | EPA |
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