|
|
|
|
|
Environmental Law OverviewNavigation: Home > Environmental Law > Environmental Law Overview
|
|
Environmental Law consists of a multitude of legal principles, rules, and regulations dealing with the interaction of people in their physical surrounding. Environmental law governs human involvement in the land, waters and air, generally including any impact on the atmosphere, organic and inorganic matter, and living organisms. Environment law also deals with the socio-economic, health and cultural impacts of the environment. Environmental Law ranges from widespread regulatory systems developed by the Environmental Protection Agency to generally accepted common law principles dealing with liability for the release of substances into the environment. Environmental lawyers provide legal representation involving environmental questions concerning regulatory compliance, air and water quality regulations, toxic torts, and other environmental law issues. Clean Air Act (CAA): The Clean Air Act (CAA) creates a comprehensive scheme for regulating air quality throughout the United States. Clean Water Act (CWA): In 1972, Congress adopted the Clean Water Act to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters. In furtherance of that goal, the CWA requires point sources of pollution to meet certain technology-based effluent limitations. Under the Clean Water Act, an entity seeking to discharge pollutants into the waters of the United States must obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit Endangered Species Act: The Endangered Species Act provides a program for the conservation of threatened and endangered plants and animals and the habitats in which they are found. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of the Interior maintains the list of 632 endangered species and 190 threatened species. Environmental Impact Statement: Documents required by federal and state laws to accompany proposals for major projects and programs that will likely impact the environment. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The Environmental Protection Agency was created in 1970 to permit coordinated and effective governmental action on behalf of the environment. The EPA is charged with abating and controlling pollution systematically. Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA): The primary focus of FIFRA is to provide federal control of pesticide distribution, sale, and use. The EPA is given authority under FIFRA not only to study the consequences of pesticide usage but also to require users to register when purchasing pesticides. Through later amendments to the law, users also must take exams for certification as applicators of pesticides. All pesticides used in the U.S. must be registered by EPA. National Environmental Policy Act: National Environmental Policy Act established a broad national framework for protecting the environment. NEPA is charged with assuring that all branches of government give proper consideration to the environment prior to undertaking any major federal action that significantly affects the environment. Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA): The Toxic Substances Control Act gives the EPA the ability to track industrial chemicals produced or imported into the United States. The EPA screens the chemicals and can require reporting or testing of those that may pose an environmental or human-health hazard. The EPA can also ban the manufacture and import of those chemicals that pose an unreasonable risk. |
|
|
Sponsored Ads |
|
|
Sponsored Links |
|
|
|