apes laws Flashcards
The Endangered Species Act (ESA)
of 1973 passed by Congress, protects both endangered and
threatened from killing, trapping, uprooting (plants) or engaging in commerce (worldwide) of either parts
or species. The Act requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to draft recovery plans for protected
species. Habitats must be mapped and a program for preservation and management of critical habitats
must be implemented so that species can rebuild their populations. The law works in part by protecting
species habitats
Lacy Act
passed by Congress in 1900, forbids interstate commerce to deal in illegally killed wildlife.
This made it difficult for hunters to sell their kills
The Clean Water Act
of 1972, protects waterways from any physical, chemical, and biological
activity that lowers water quality. Businesses and individuals must have permits and meet federal
standards for any discharge. Billions of dollars were provided for sewage treatment facilities.
clean air act
of 1970, 1977, and 1990 established ambient standards for four primary
pollutants: sulfur dioxide, particulates, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides. Amended from the Air
Quality Act of 1967, in 1970, 1977, and 1990, the Clean Air Act (CAA) was originally enacted to protect
the quality of the Nation’s air resources and the public health and welfare. The second purpose of the
CAA is to initiate a research and development program to achieve the prevention and control of air
pollution. Third, the act provides means for technical and financial assistance for State and local
governments so that they may carry out air pollution prevention and control programs. The final goal of
the CAA is to encourage the development of regional air pollution prevention and control programs
(emissions trading policy for sulfur dioxide
atomic energy act
was passed because of the government’s keen interest in monitoring the
commercial and national defense uses of atomic energy. Government concerns included radiation hazards
and the disposal of radioactive waste. The act establishes a general regulatory structure for construction
and use of nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons facilities. Unlike most environmental statutes, it
does not permit citizen suits and affords only limited opportunities for suits by public interest groups
CAFE Standards
(Corporate Average Fuel Economy) - intended to improve the average fuel economy
of cars and light trucks (trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles) sold in the US
coastal zone management act
mandates the protection of coastal zones in the United States
from environmentally harmful over-development
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (1980)
requires the
cleanup of sites contaminated with toxic waste. This law is commonly referred to as “Superfund.” In 1986 major amendments were made in order to clarify the level of cleanup required and degrees of
liability. CERCLA is retroactive, which means it can be used to hold liable those responsible for disposal
of hazardous wastes before the law was enacted in 1980
federal land policy and mangement act
provides for protection of the scenic, scientific,
historic and ecologic values of federal lands and for public involvement in their management
federal food drug and cosmetic act
is the nation’s major law regulating contaminants in
food, including pesticides. The Food and Drug Administration implements most of this law; the
Environmental Protection Agency carries out its pesticide standard setting provisions (with FDA
enforcement). See also Food Quality Protection Act
federal insecticide fungicide and rodenticide act
control the sale, distribution and
application of pesticides; amended in 1972, 1988, and 1996. See also Food Quality Protection Act
food quality protection act
is designed to ensure that levels of pesticide residues in food meet
strict standards for public health protection. Under this law, which overhauled the Federal Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Act and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, the Environmental
Protection Agency is required to better protect infants and children from pesticides in food and water and
from indoor exposure to pesticides
Fisheries conservative and management act
governs the management and control of U.S.
marine fish populations, and is intended to maintain and restore healthy levels of fish stocks and prevent
over-harvesting; better known as the Magnuson Stevens Act
Marine mammal protection act
seeks to protect certain species of marine mammals that are at
risk as a result of human activities
National environmental policy act
was the first of the modern environmental statutes. NEPA
created environmental policies and goals for the country, and established the President’s Council on
Environmental Quality. It’s most important feature is its requirement that federal agencies conduct
thorough assessments of the environmental impacts of all major activities undertaken or funded by the
federal government. Many states have enacted similar laws governing state activities
