Environmental Laws: Sorted By Subject - Free

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Environmental Laws: Sorted By Subject - Free

Introduction to Laws and Regulations

Laws and regulations are a major tool in protecting the environment. Congress passes laws that govern the United States. To put those laws into effect, Congress authorizes certain government agencies, including EPA, to create and enforce regulations . Below, you'll find a basic description of how laws and regulations come to be, what they are, and where to find them, with an emphasis on environmental laws and regulations.

Among the environmental laws enacted by Congress through which EPA carries out its efforts are:

• Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA)
  PL 99-519, Title II of TSCA [Oct. 22, 1986]
• Asbestos Information Act of 1988
  42 USC 7401, 7412, 7414, 7416 (amends Clean Air Act) [Nov. 1, 1988]
• Asbestos School Hazard Abatement Act (ASHAA)
  PL 98-377, Title II of TSCA [May 24, 1982]
• Chemical Safety Information, Site Security and Fuels Regulatory Relief Act
  PL 106-40; 42 USC 7412(r)--amends Section 112(r) of Clean Air Act [Jan. 6, 1999]
• Clean Air Act (CAA)
  42 U.S.C. s/s 7401 et seq. [Dec. 31, 1970]
  • Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990
    42 U.S.C. s/s 7401 et seq. [Nov. 15, 1990]
• Clean Water Act (CWA)
  33 U.S.C. s/s 121 et seq. [Dec. 28, 1977]
• Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA, or Superfund)
  42 U.S.C. s/s 9601 et seq. [Dec. 11, 1980]
• Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)
  42 U.S.C. 11011 et seq. (Title III of Superfund Amendments Reauthorization Act of 1986--SARA) [Oct. 17, 1986]
• Endangered Species Act (ESA)
  7 U.S.C. 136; 16 U.S.C. 460 et seq. [Aug. 3, 1973]
• Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), Delaney Clause
  21 U.S.C. 409. [1958]
  • Certain pesticide regulatory functions transferred from FDA and USDA to EPA through Reorganization Plan #3 of 1970. [July 9, 1970]
  • EPA announced new negligible risk approach to regulating pesticides in food. [Oct. 12, 1988]
• Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
  7 U.S.C. s/s 135 et seq. [Oct. 21, 1972]

  Significant new amendments related to pesticide re-registration requirements, storage and disposal of suspended/canceled pesticides, indemnity payments, and enforcement issues. [Oct. 25, 1988]

• Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA)
  P.L. 104-170; 110 Stat. 1489 (amended FIFRA and FFDCA) [Aug. 3, 1996]
• Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
  5 U.S. Code s/s 552 [July 4, 1966]
• Indoor Radon Abatement Act (IRAA)
  PL 100-551, Title III of TSCA [Oct. 28, 1988]
• Lead Contamination Control Act of 1988
  PL 100-572 (amends Safe Drinking Water Act) [Nov. 1, 1988]
• Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA)
  33 USC 1401 et seq; PL 92-532 [Oct. 23, 1972]
• National Environmental Education Act (NEEA)
  PL 101-619 [Nov. 16, 1990]
• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
  42 U.S.C. 4321-4347 [Jan. 1, 1970]
• Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
  29 U.S.C. 61 et seq. [Dec. 17, 1970]
• Ocean Dumping Ban Act (ODBA)
  PL 100-688 (amendment to Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act) [Nov. 18, 1988]
• Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA)
  33 U.S.C. 2702-2761 [Aug. 18, 1990]
• Pollution Prevention Act (PPA)
  42 U.S.C. 13101 and 13102, s/s et seq. (part of Omnibus Budget Reconcilation Act of 1990, P.L. 101-508) [Nov. 5, 1990]
• Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act
  PL 102-550, Title IV of TSCA [Oct. 28, 1992]
• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
  42 U.S.C. S/s 321 et seq. [Oct. 21, 1976]
• Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
  43 U.S.C. s/s 300f et. seq. [Dec. 16, 1974]
• Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA)
  42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq. [Oct. 17, 1986]
• Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
  15 U.S.C. s/s 2601 et seq. [Oct. 11, 1976]