APES Review – Environmental Laws, Agreements & Key Conservation Terms

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing major U.S. and international environmental laws, agreements, and conservation terms for AP Environmental Science review.

Conservation

The controlled, scientifically managed use of natural resources for the greatest good of the greatest number of people.

Preservation

Leaving remaining wilderness areas on public lands untouched by humans.

Restoration

Active efforts to return a degraded site to its former natural condition and re-establish a diverse, dynamic community.

Remediation

Cleanup of chemical contaminants in a polluted area.

Mitigation

Repairing or compensating for ecological damage, often by creating or restoring substitute areas (frequently wetlands).

Reclamation

Chemical or physical manipulation of severely degraded sites (e.g., open-pit mines) to make them functional again.

Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA)

Balances economic development and environmental conservation of U.S. coastal resources, including the Great Lakes.

Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE)

DOT standards that set required average fuel mileage for a manufacturer’s vehicle fleet.

Clean Air Act (CAA)

Sets primary & secondary air quality standards, requires state implementation plans, and regulates mobile-source emissions.

Clean Water Act (CWA)

Regulates discharges into U.S. waters and governs destruction or construction in wetlands.

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

Gives federal authority for emergency response and cleanup of hazardous substance releases.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)

International treaty that controls exploitation of endangered species; bans ivory import and sale of threatened species.

Endangered Species Act (ESA)

Protects species listed as threatened or endangered and their critical habitats, including migratory birds.

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)

Requires all pesticides to be registered and approved; creates a pesticide registry.

Kyoto Protocol

International agreement in which ~150 nations committed to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.

Lacey Act

First U.S. wildlife law; bans interstate transport of illegally captured animals and helps prevent spread of invasive species.

Atomic Energy Act (AEA)

Regulates development and use of nuclear materials and facilities in the United States.

Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA)

Protects the public from unreasonable risks of injury associated with consumer products.

Emergency Planning & Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)

Creates the Toxic Release Inventory and requires communities to plan for chemical emergencies.

Energy Policy Act (1992)

Among other provisions, sets radiation-protection standards for the Yucca Mountain nuclear repository.

Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA)

Allows the President to draw from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and establishes a home-heating-oil reserve.

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA)

Ensures safety and truthful labeling of food, drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices.

Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA)

Early federal law authorizing programs to reduce interstate water pollution and improve sanitation.

Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA)

Sets pesticide residue limits in food and screens all ingredients for endocrine effects.

Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act (HMA)

Proposes a 2–5 % royalty on new hard-rock mines on federal lands and funds mine reclamation.

Hazardous Material Transportation Act (HAZMAT)

Governs safe transport of hazardous materials and waste.

International Environmental Protection Act (IEPA)

Allows U.S. aid to help other nations protect wildlife habitats.

Law of the Sea Convention (LOSC)

Sets international rules for use and protection of the world’s oceans.

Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act (LLRPA)

Requires each U.S. state to provide disposal facilities for low-level radioactive waste.

Madrid Protocol (Antarctica)

Imposes a 50-year moratorium on mineral exploration in Antarctica.

Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation & Management Act (MSRA)

Primary U.S. law for marine fisheries; mandates annual catch limits and measures to end overfishing.

Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)

Prohibits the taking or import of marine mammals and marine-mammal products, with limited exceptions.

Marine Plastic Pollution Research & Control Act (MPPRCA)

Regulates dumping of wastes, especially plastics, into oceans and coastal waters.

Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act (Duck Stamp Act)

Requires hunters to buy stamps; revenue secures wetlands—over 4.5 million acres protected to date.

Mining Act of 1872

Authorizes prospecting and mining of hard-rock minerals (gold, silver, etc.) on federal public lands.

Montreal Protocol

International treaty phasing out CFCs and banning most aerosol production to protect the ozone layer.

National Appliance Energy Act (NAEA)

Sets minimum energy-efficiency standards for many household appliances.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

Creates the Council on Environmental Quality and requires environmental impact statements for major federal projects.

National Forest Management Act (NFMA)

Sets standards for Forest Service management and mandates land-management plans for national forests and grasslands.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

Regulates handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste; governs landfills and tanks.

Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)

Authorizes EPA to set and enforce standards for drinking water quality nationwide.

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA)

Requires restoration and reclamation of surface coal mines and addresses abandoned-mine cleanup.

Soil and Water Conservation Act (SWCA)

Calls for continuous appraisal of U.S. soil and water resources and supports voluntary conservation programs for landowners.

Soil Conservation Act (SCA)

Created the Soil Conservation Service to combat erosion and conduct soil surveys and research.

Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA)

Promotes improved solid-waste disposal methods, waste separation, energy recovery, and recycling.

Stockholm Declaration (1972)

First UN conference on the human environment; established guiding principles for global environmental protection.

Taylor Grazing Act (TGA)

Regulates livestock grazing on federal public lands via grazing districts managed by the Interior Department.

Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

Gives EPA authority to track, test, and ban industrial chemicals that pose unreasonable environmental or health risks.