2. Chapter 17
Environmental Laws and Pollution Control

3. Categories of Environmental and Pollution-Control Laws
Government’s Regulation of Itself
National Environmental Policy Act
State Environmental Policy Act

4. Categories of Environmental and Pollution-Control Laws
Government’s Regulation of Business
Clean Air Act
Clean Water Act
Pesticide Control Act
Solid Waste Act
Toxic Substances Control Act
Natural Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
Other federal, state, and local statutes

5. Categories of Environmental and Pollution-Control Laws
Suits by Private Individuals
Citizen enforcement provisions of various statutes
Public and private nuisance
Trespass
Negligence
Strict liability for ultra-hazardous activity

6. Responsibilities of the EPA
Conducts research on the harmful impact of pollution
Gathers information about present pollution problems
Assists states and local governments in controlling pollution through grants, technical advice, and other means
Advises the CEQ about new policies needed for protection of the environment
Administers federal pollution laws

7. Emissions reduction banking Marketable rights
Clean Air Act Trends
The “bubble concept
Emissions reduction banking
Marketable rights
Prevention of significant deterioration

8. Toxic and Hazardous Substances Regulation
Regulation of the use of toxic chemicals
Toxic Substances Control Act
Regulation of toxic and hazardous waste disposal
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
Regulation of toxic and hazardous waste cleanup
CERCLA (the “Superfund”)

9. Environmental Control and Citizen Lawsuits
Citizen enforcement provisions of statutes like the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act
Lawsuits for damages under tort theories like negligence, trespass, and strict liability 
Public and private nuisance lawsuits for unreasonable land use

10. Emerging Areas of Environmental Concern
Loss of natural ecosystems
Destruction of the ozone layer
The greenhouse effect and global warming
Population growth