Environmental Legislation & Regulations

Environmental Legislation & Regulations

Ecology and the Environment

Mr. Corsini - NWHS

Who governs environmental laws and policies?

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The governing body for major statues or laws

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)-1969: establishes policies, set goals and facilitate the implementation of such policies

NEPA requires federal agencies to assess environmental impact of implementing their major program (Work with NASA & Army)

Positive Aspects of Regulations

Protection of the Environment

Concerns about Regulations

Structured so costs excessive compared to benefits.

Uneven application of regulations

Duplicative (Federal, State, etc)

Environmental Regulations

Clean Air Act (CAA)-1970 Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)-1974 Clean Water Act (CWA)-1977 Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA) -

1976 Federal Insecticide, Fungicide & Rodenticide Act

(FIFRA) -1972 Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) -1996

Clean Air Act (CAA) - 1970

Diesel Engines Odor

Safe Drinking Water Act Protect nation’s sources of drinking water Protect public health through treatment

techniques MCL’s: Maximum Contaminant Level Protect underground sources of drinking

water

Clean Water Act (1972)

Water Pollution Control Restore & maintain chemical, physical and

biological integrity of the nation’s waters Community sewers

Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA) Hazardous Waste Underground tanks Control Solid Waste Regulation of facilities which burn waste

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Regulates the use and safety of pesticides products and

features Classification and certification of pesticide by specific

use Evaluation of risk posed by pesticides (Required for

registration) Restriction of use of pesticides harmful to the

environment Enforcement of requirements through inspections,

labeling, notices and state regulations Groundwater management plan

Additional Regulations

Wild and Scenic Rivers Act -establishes wild and scenic river system

Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) - balanced preservation & development in coastal

areas

Endangered Species Act - conserve endangered and threatened species

Additional Regulations

Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) -1970

Oil Pollution Act (OPA)-1990

We Have Been Altering the Environment for a Long Time – but are Just Beginning to Take Responsibility