Environmental Laws

With the constant growth in industries and the rising hazards posed by these industries to the natural environment, it is very important to have environmental regulations for every state in place. There are several laws in the United States that apply to different states with the same underlying notion of protecting the environment from pollution and other dangers caused due to man-made activities. These dangers include threat to human beings, animals, birds and the natural environment in totality.

Below is a List of Some Federal Laws in US

•   The Migratory Birds and Species Act, 1918.
•   The Endangered Species Act that protects those living beings that are close to extinction.
•   The Clean Water Act that enforces the law of treating industrial waste water before disposal in other water bodies or disposal through any other method.
•   The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act that governs the law for disposal of solid industrial, shipping and other wastes.
•   The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act to enforce the regulations on the usage of pesticides that endanger the health of human beings and animals alike. The use of insecticides and pesticides is restricted by the act.
•   The National Environment Policy Act, 1970, with the basic view of protecting the environment, maintaining ecological balance as well as protecting wildlife.
The Corporate heads and other industrialists embark on several development projects in different states. These need to be approved by the relevant authorities. There is a governing body that assesses and approves such projects called International Association for Impact Assessment. It conducts an assessment called the Environmental Impact Assessment.

What is the Environmental Impact Assessment?

This is an analysis wherein the positive as well as negative factors of a proposed project are considered. The natural, environmental, social and economical effects of the project are taken into consideration before deciding on the course of action.

Environmental Policy of the U.S.

This is a governing body for regulating all activities that affect the environment of the country. It seeks to enforce rules with respect to the emission of greenhouse gases and the consequent global warming.

US Environmental Protection Agency, 1970

The Environmental Protection Agency was established with a view to protect human health and the natural environment. EPA covers a wide spectrum of laws from acid rain reduction, wetland restoration, disposing solid and water wastages, provision of clean drinking water, regulation of toxic substances, fishing, pesticide usage restrictions, climate change regulation, radiation etc.

EPA administers laws either in totality or partially. Some of the laws are listed below.
•   Atomic Energy Act
•   Clean Air Act
•   Clean Water Act
•   Endangered Species Act
•   Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act
•   Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act
•   National Environmental Policy Act
•   Occupational Safety and Health
•   Oil Pollution Act
•   Pollution Prevention Act
•   Toxic Substances Control Act