chapter 24. federal and state governments have enacted environmental protection laws to contain...

Chapter 24

Federal and state governments have enacted environmental protection laws To contain the levels of pollution To clean up hazardous waste sites in this country

Environmental protection is one of the most important, and costly, issues facing business and society today

Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall. 24-2

A federal administrative agency created by Congress To coordinate the implementation and enforcement of the

federal environmental protection laws The EPA

Has broad rule-making powers to adopt regulations to advance the laws that it is empowered to administer

Has adjudicative powers to hold hearings, make decisions, and order remedies for violations

Can initiate judicial proceedings in court against suspected violators of federal environmental laws


National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA): A federal statute which mandates The federal government consider the adverse impact a

federal government action would have on the environment before the action is implemented

The NEPA and EPA regulations require preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS)

Environmental impact statement (EIS)▪ A document that must be prepared for any proposed legislation or

major federal action that significantly affects the quality of the human environment


An EIS must Describe the affected environment Describe the impact of the proposed federal action on the

environment Identify and discuss alternatives to the proposed action List the resources that will be committed to the action Contain a cost–benefit analysis of the proposed action and

alternative actions


Pollution caused by factories, homes, vehicles, and the like that affects the air

Clean Air Act: A federal statute Provides comprehensive regulation of air quality in the

United States


Stationary sources of air pollution The Clean Air Act requires states to identify major

stationary sources and develop plans to reduce air pollution from these sources

Mobile sources of air pollution The Clean Air Act ▪ Requires air pollution controls to be installed on motor vehicles

▪ Authorizes the EPA to regulate air pollution caused by fuel and fuel additives


Standards for certain pollutants set by the EPA that protect Human beings (primary level) Vegetation, matter, climate, visibility, and economic values

(secondary level) Nonattainment areas: A geographical area that does

not meet established air quality standards They are classified into five categories – marginal,

moderate, serious, severe, or extreme


States must submit compliance plans that Identify major sources of air pollution and require them to

install pollution-control equipment Institute permit systems for new stationary sources Implement inspection programs to monitor mobile sources

Failure to develop or implement plans can result in sanctions Loss of federal highway funds Limitation on new sources of emissions


Pollution of lakes, rivers, oceans, and other bodies of water

Clean Water Act: A federal statute that establishes water quality standards and regulates water pollution Administered by the EPA

The EPA has established water quality standards that define Which bodies of water can be used for public drinking

water, recreation, propagation of fish and wildlife, and agricultural and industrial uses


The Clean Water Act authorizes the EPA to: Establish water pollution control standards for point

sources of water pollution Point sources – Sources of pollution that are fixed and

stationary Thermal pollution: Heated water or material

discharged into waterways that upsets the ecological balance and decreases the oxygen content


Areas that are Inundated or saturated by surface water or ground water

that support vegetation typically adapted for life in such conditions

The Clean Water Act forbids the filling or dredging of navigable waters and qualified wetlands Unless a permit has been obtained from the Army Corps of

Engineers


A federal statute Authorizes the EPA to establish national primary drinking

water standards Prohibits the dumping of wastes into wells used for

drinking water The states are primarily responsible for enforcing the

act


Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act A federal statute that extends limited environmental

protection to the oceans Requires a permit for dumping wastes and other foreign

materials into ocean waters Establishes marine sanctuaries in ocean waters as far

seaward as the edge of the continental shelf and in the Great Lakes and their connecting waters


The Clean Water Act authorizes the U.S. government To clean up oil spills and spills of other hazardous

substances in ocean waters within 12 miles of the shore and on the continental shelf

To recover the cleanup costs from responsible parties Oil Pollution Act

A federal statute that requires the oil industry:▪ To take measures to prevent oil spills

▪ To readily respond to and clean up oil spills


Chemicals used by agriculture, industry, business, mining, and households that: Cause injury to humans, birds, animals, fish, and vegetation

Toxic Substances Control Act: A federal statute that authorizes the EPA to regulate toxic substances Administered by the EPA The act requires ▪ The EPA to establish standards for toxic chemicals

▪ Stationary sources to install equipment and technology to control emissions of toxic substances


The EPA May limit or prohibit the manufacture and sale of toxic

substances Can remove toxic substances from commerce Requires special labeling of toxic substances


Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act: A federal statute Requires pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and

rodenticides to be registered with the EPA The EPA may deny, suspend, or cancel registration

Land pollution: Pollution of the land that is generally caused by hazardous waste being disposed of in an improper manner


Hazardous waste that may: Cause or significantly contribute to an increase in mortality

or serious illness or pose a hazard to human health or the environment if improperly managed

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA): A federal statute Authorizes the EPA to regulate facilities that generate,

treat, store, transport, and dispose of hazardous wastes


Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act A federal statute that authorizes the federal government to

deal with hazardous wastes The act creates a monetary fund to finance the cleanup of

hazardous waste sites


Radiation pollution: Emissions from radioactive wastes that can cause: Injury and death to humans and other life Severe damage to the environment

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) A federal agency that licenses the construction and opening

of commercial nuclear power plants


Endangered Species Act: A federal statute that protects endangered and threatened species of wildlife Requires the EPA and the Department of Commerce to

designate critical habitats for each endangered and threatened species


Federal laws that protect wildlife Migratory Bird Treaty Act Bald Eagle Protection Act Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act Marine Mammal Protection Act Migratory Bird Conservation Fishery Conservation and Management Act Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act National Wildlife Refuge System


Many state and local governments have enacted statutes and ordinances to protect the environment Most states require that an EIS or a report be prepared for

any proposed state action Under state police power to protect the “health,

safety, and welfare” of their residents Many states require private industry to prepare EISs for

proposed developments


chapter 24. federal and state governments have enacted environmental protection laws to contain...

Documents