The Wilderness Act 1964

Permanently protects some lands from development.

The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) 1972

Prohibits the taking of marine mammals in U.S. waters and importation of mammals and marine mammal products into the USA

Pollution Prevention Act 1990

Pollution should be prevented or reduced at the source whenever feasible, if not, it should be recycled in an environmentally safe manner

The Clean Air Act (CAA) 1963/1970

Regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources. Checks for criteria pollutants: Sulfur Dioxide Particulate Matter Lead Ozone Nitrogen Dioxide Carbon Monoxide

The Clean Water Act (CWA) 1972

Establishes regulation for discharges of pollutants into the waters of the U.S. Sets limits to keep our waterways – fishable and swimmable

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) 1974

Protects the quality of drinking water in the U.S. Water treatment facilities must follow the strict guidelines established by EPA

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERLA or Superfund) 1980

Provides for a “Superfund” to clean up abandoned hazardous waste sites as well as accidents, spills and other emergency releases of pollutants.

The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) 1976

EPA has the ability to track approx. 75,000 industrial chemicals produced or imported into the United States

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) 1900

Regulates the trade of endangered species

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) 1973

Provides for the conservation of threatened and endangered plants and animals and the habitats where they are found

The Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA)

Designed to help local communities protect public health, safety and be safe from chemical hazards

The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)

Employers must provide their workers a place of employment free from recognized hazards to safety and health such as exposure to toxic chemicals, excessive noise levels, mechanical dangers, heat or cold stress, or unsanitary conditions

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) 1938

requires producers of food additives/colorings/cosmetics to demonstrate to a reasonable certainty that no harm will result from the intended use of an additiverequires producers of food additives/colorings/cosmetics to demonstrate to a reasonable certainty that no harm will result from the intended use of an additive

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) 1972

Controls the distribution, sale and use of pesticides

Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) 1996

No harm should come to people from pesticides used on foods

Convention of Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol of 1997 Kyoto Protocol

International treaty to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Convention of Ozone Depletion and the Montreal Protocol of 1986 Montreal Protocol

International treaty to phase out stratospheric ozone destroying compounds….CFC’s

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 1969

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to consider environmental values into their decision making when planning new development projects An EIS (environmental impact statement) must be generated for any building project

Convention of the Conference on the Human Environment Stockholm Declaration 1972

First huge gathering of nations to address all global environmental issues, from endangered species, to laws of the seas etc..

The Oil Pollution Act (OPA) 1990

Trust fund was created through a tax on oil to finance the cleanup of oil spills when the responsible party is unable or unwilling to do so

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) 1976

RCRA tracks the progress of hazardous wastes from their point of generation, their transport, and their treatment and/or disposal From the “Cradle to the Grave”

Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) 1977

SMCRA – ensures that mining companies post a bond sufficient to cover the cost of reclaiming the site (incase they go bankrupt)

The Wild and Scenic River Act 1968

These rivers, or section of rivers, are to be preserved in their “free-flowing” condition and are not to be dammed or improved in any way

The Nuclear Waste Policy Act 1980

After more than two decades of scientific study, in 2002, Congress and the President approved the development of a permanent geologic repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada.

The Energy Policy Act 2005

Financial incentives such as tax write- offs and loan guarantees for individuals or businesses were directed to those who practiced energy conservation.Financial incentives such as tax write- offs and loan guarantees for individuals or businesses were directed to those who practiced energy conservation.