Environmental Legislation & Regulations Professor Bernie Engel ASM 336 September 13, 2004

Who governs environmental laws and policies?  US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The governing body for major statues or laws  National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)-1969: establishes policies, set goals and facilitate the implementation of such policies  NEPA requires federal agencies to assess environmental impact of implementing their major program (Work with NASA & Army)

Positive Aspects of Regulations  Protection of the Environment

Concerns about Regulations   Structured so costs excessive compared to benefits.   Command-and-control   US Free Market Choice   Uneven application of regulations   Lack properly structured incentives   Generate inefficiencies   Paper work, costs   Duplicative (Federal, State, etc)

Environmental Regulations  Clean Air Act (CAA)-1970  Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)-1974  Clean Water Act (CWA)-1977  Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA)  Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)  Federal Insecticide, Fungicide & Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)  Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) -1996

Clean Air Act (CAA) (1970)  Diesel Engines  Odor

Safe Drinking Water Act  Protect nation’s sources of drinking water  Protect public health through treatment techniques  MCL’s: Maximum Contaminant Level  Protect underground sources of drinking water  Well Head protection areas

Clean Water Act (1972)  Water Pollution Control  Restore & maintain chemical, physical and biological integrity of the nation’s waters  Community sewers  NPS pollution control (TMDL’s!!!)  National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II Stormwater Regulations

Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA)  Hazardous Waste  Underground tanks  Control Solid Waste  Regulation of facilities which burn waste

Comprehensive Environment Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)  Also known as the Superfund  Establish a Hazardous Substance  Superfund  Establish regulations controlling hazardous waste sites  Provide liability for hazardous waste release from inactive sites

Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA)-1986  Revise and extends CERCLA  Emergency planning & preparedness, community right-to- know reporting and toxic chemical release reporting  Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)  Regulates the use and safety of pesticides products and features  Classification and certification of pesticide by specific use  Evaluation of risk posed by pesticides (Required for registration)  Restriction of use of pesticides harmful to the environment  Enforcement of requirements through inspections, labeling, notices and state regulations  Groundwater management plan

Additional Regulations  Wild and Scenic Rivers Act -establishes wild and scenic river system -establishes wild and scenic river system  Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) - balanced preservation & development in coastal areas - balanced preservation & development in coastal areas  Endangered Species Act - conserve endangered and threatened species - conserve endangered and threatened species

Additional Regulations  Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act - regulates dumping of all types of materials into ocean - regulates dumping of all types of materials into ocean  Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) - sets up toxic substances program - sets up toxic substances program - EPA can require manufacturers to collect data on effects of their substance - EPA can require manufacturers to collect data on effects of their substance  National Historic Prevention Act -preserve, restore and maintain cultural resources -preserve, restore and maintain cultural resources

Additional Regulations  Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)  Oil Pollution Act (OPA)-1990  Endangered Species Act (ESA)-1973