Chapter 45 Environmental Protection and Global Warming

Environmental Protection Agency  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Created in 1970 to coordinate implementation and enforcement of federal environmental laws  Broad rule-making powers  Adjudicative powers  Can initiate judicial proceedings against suspected violators of federal environmental laws Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall. 2

Environmental Impact Statement  National Environmental Policy Act: Mandates that federal government must consider the adverse impact a federal government action would have on the environment before the action is implemented Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall. 3

Environmental Impact Statement  A document that must be prepared for any proposed legislation or major federal action that significantly affects the quality of the human environment Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall. 4

Environmental Impact Statement  EIS must:  Describe affected environment  Describe impact of project  Identify and discuss alternatives  List resources to be committed  Contain cost-benefit analysis Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall. 5

Air Pollution  Pollution caused by factories, homes, vehicles, and the like that affects the air  Clean Air Act: Enacted in 1963 to assist states in dealing with air pollution  Clean Air Act Amendments: Provides comprehensive regulation of air quality in this country Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall. 6

Sources of Air Pollution  Stationary sources: Industrial plants, oil refineries, public utilities  States must identify major sources and develop plans to reduce pollution.  Mobile sources: Automobiles, airplanes, and other vehicles  Clean Air Act sets emission standards, requires air pollution controls on vehicles Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall. 7

National Ambient Air Quality Standards  Established by the EPA  Standards set at two levels:  Primary -to protect human beings  Secondary - to protect vegetation, matter, climate, visibility, and economic values  States responsible for enforcement  Required to prepare state implementation plans Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall. 8

Nonattainment Areas  Regions that do not meet air quality standards  Five categories, ranging from marginal to extreme  States must submit compliance plans that:  Identify major sources of air pollution  Institute permit systems for new stationary source  Implement inspection programs Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall. 9

Water Pollution  Water pollution: Affects human health, recreation, agriculture, and business  Clean Water Act: First enacted in1948, amended several times  EPA has established water quality standards  Primarily enforced by states Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall. 10

Water Pollution  Sources of water pollution such as paper mills, manufacturing plants, electric utility plants, and sewage plants  Dischargers must obtain permits, keep records, maintain monitoring equipment, and keep samples of discharge Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall. 11

Water Pollution  Thermal pollution: Prohibited because heated water or material discharged into waterways that upsets the ecological balance and decreases the oxygen content  Sources of thermal pollution are subject to the provisions of the Clean Water Act and regulations adopted by the EPA Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall. 12

Water Pollution  Wetlands: Areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water or ground water that support vegetation typically adapted for life in such conditions  CWA forbids filling or dredging of wetlands or navigable waters without permit from Army Corps of Engineers Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall. 13

Water Pollution  Safe Drinking Water Act:  Authorizes the EPA to establish national primary drinking water standard  Prohibits the dumping of wastes into wells used for drinking water  States primarily responsible for enforcing the act Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall. 14

Water Pollution  Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act:  Extends environmental protection to the oceans  Requires a permit for dumping wastes and other foreign materials into ocean waters  Establishes marine sanctuaries in ocean waters and in the Great Lakes and their connecting waters  Oil Pollution Act: Requires oil industry to adopt procedures and contingency plans  Administered by the U.S. Coast Guard Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall. 15

Toxic Substances and Hazardous Wastes  Toxic substances: Chemicals used for agricultural, industrial, and mining - cause injury to humans, birds, animals, fish, and vegetation  Toxic Substances Control Act: Authorizes the EPA to regulate toxic substances Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall. 16

Toxic Substances and Hazardous Wastes  Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act: Requires pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and rodenticides to be registered with the EPA  EPA may deny, suspend, or cancel registration 17 Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall.

Toxic Substances and Hazardous Wastes  Causes land pollution  Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA): Regulates the disposal of new hazardous wastes Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall. 18

Toxic Substances and Hazardous Wastes  Hazardous waste: Solid waste that may cause or significantly contribute to an increase in mortality or serious illness or pose a hazard to human health or the environment if improperly managed  Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (Superfund): A federal statute that authorizes the federal government to deal with hazardous wastes Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall. 19

Toxic Substances and Hazardous Wastes  Radiation pollution: Emissions from radioactive wastes that can cause injury and death to humans and other life and can cause severe damage to the environment  Nuclear Regulatory Commission: Licenses the construction and opening of commercial nuclear power plants 20 Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall.

Endangered Species  Endangered Species Act: Protects endangered and threatened species of wildlife  Act requires EPA and the Department of Commerce to designate critical habitats for each endangered and threatened species  Act prohibits the taking of any endangered species Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall. 21

Federal Wildlife Laws  Migratory Bird Treaty Act  Bald Eagle Protection Act  Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act  Marine Mammal Protection Act  Migratory Bird Conservation Act  Fishery Conservation and Management Act  Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act  National Wildlife Refuge System  Migratory Bird Treaty Act  Bald Eagle Protection Act  Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act  Marine Mammal Protection Act  Migratory Bird Conservation Act  Fishery Conservation and Management Act  Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act  National Wildlife Refuge System Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall. 22

State Environmental Protection Laws  Many state and local governments have enacted statutes and ordinances to protect the environment  Some states have enacted special environmental statutes to protect unique areas within their boundaries Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall. 23

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