AP Environmental Science Required Legislation

Endangered Species Act

(1973) identifies threatened and endangered species in the U.S., allows orgs to petition for animals to be listed, required protection of critical habitat areas, and puts their protection and recovery ahead of economic considerations

Clean Air Act

(1970, 1990) federal law which regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources to protect public health and welfare from hazardous emissions through the development of NAAQS (National Ambient Air Emission Standards) and criteria air pollutants

Clean Water Act

(1972) regulates discharges of pollutants and quality standards for surface waters, implemented control programs for wastewater

Delaney Clause of Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act

(1958) requires the food and drug administration to ban food additives that are cancer-causing

Montreal Protocol

(1989) international treaty designed to phase out the production of substances that deplete the ozone layer in order to protect it (ex. CFCs)

Kyoto Protocol

(1997) international agreement for industrialized countries which sets target goals to limit and reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Safe Drinking Water Act

(1974) regulates the nation's publics drinking water supply, including its sources, such as rivers, lakes, reservoirs, springs, and groundwater wells and sets health-based standards for drinking water to protect against natural and man-made contaminants

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act

(1976) "cradle to grave" act - gives the EPA the authority to control hazardous waste generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)

(1975) international treaty to prevent species from becoming endangered or extinct because of trade

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

(1980) "superfund" act - provides funds to clean up uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous-waste sites and accidental spills or release or contaminants into the environment; also gives the EPA the power to find the party responsible (ex. Love Canal, NY)