Environmental Laws and Acts APES

1.Antarctic Treaty, Draft Year: 1957-1959 Amendment Years: None, International Treaty

-The function of the treaty was to end all international disagreements over the ownership and any military activity on Antarctica. Although the treaty prohibits any military activity the Antarctic treaty supports scientific research and exchanging of data found on Antarctica, while prohibiting nuclear explosions and nuclear waste disposal because of the immense impact that these activities have on the surrounding environment. The environmental issues that were affected by the Antarctic treaty is to conserve the diversity and genetic diversity of indigenous species by maintaining the species population levels. The treaty also prevents the issue of introductionof non-indigenous species within Antarctica and protect the natural geography of Antarctica.

- The agency/group that is responsible for the regulation and enforcement of the treaty is the twelve original nations that signed the Antarctic treaty on the 1st of December, 1959. These twelve original nations include the United Kingdom, South Africa, Belgium, Japan, United States Of America, Norway, France, New Zealand, Russia, Argentina, Australia, and Chile.

2.Cairo Conference on Population and Development, September 1994, International

-World leaders, high ranking officials, representatives of non-governmental organizations and United Nations agencies met to talk about population issues such as infant mortality. They came up with a Programme of Action which stated that the conference delegates agreed to promote universal education, reduction of infant and maternal mortality, and access to health services like family planning.

- The United Nations

3. . Clean Air Act, First enacted in 1970 and amended in 1990, National

- The main environmental area affected by this law is the atmosphere and ozone. The function of the Clean Air Act is to regulate the quality of the Nation’s air resources as well as to research air quality and assist state and local governments in regulating air quality. Overall, the act attempts to protect the atmosphere from pollution.

- Local and state governments are given the responsibility to maintain the provisions of the clean air act. The federal government may also create agencies that they think necessary to support the law.

  1. Clean Water Act originally drafted in 1948 , amended in 1977. Enforced nationally.

-The act governs water pollution. It focuses on regulating the releases of toxic substances and keeping the water safe for human recreation. The act sets water quality standards for all contaminants in surface waters as well.

-The EPA is responsible for enforcing the act.

  1. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation Liability Act; Drafted in 1980; Amended in 1986; National

-The act allows authorities to clean up hazardous waste or spills of pollutants in the environment; Can affect the environment and health.

-The EPA is allowed to authorize any necessary clean ups. They are authorized to do this in all fifty states.

a) Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) was drafted in 1975 on July 1st, and amendments added in 2004. The agreement is international.

b) The CITES Provision drafted in 1975 was created to ensure that international trading of specimens of wild plants and animals does not threaten their survival. Currently there are many species that are threatened, especially the ones used in goods, products, tourism or other kind of exploitation. It uses the structure of managers and enforcers to regulate worldwide trading of endangered organisms. Because CITES has stepped in to regulate trade, these diverse and sometimes endangered species can remain safe.

c) The group responsible for the regulation and enforcement of CITES is The World Conservation Union.

Most major world nations are included, from every continent, making up the “Conference of the Parties”.

A) The Declaration of the Conference on the Human Environment (Stockholm Declaration) was drafted in June 1972. The actual conference was held from June 5 to June 16 of 1972. There are no amendments that have been added to the declaration so far. The declaration is international because it concerns the global environment and representatives of 113 countries worldwide approved the declaration.

B) Stockholm Declaration and Action Plan; Defined principles for protection ofenvironment; “Industrialized” environmental problems (acid rain) not applicable to all countries; Industrialized countries should prioritize domestic (home) issues and aid underdeveloped countries; Communicate about environmental issues with international implication (global warming); Emphasis on protecting areas through partnerships. The declaration has 26 principles and it lists general rules to follow for the preservation of the environment. The declaration discusses how man has the capability to change his surroundings, human population growth, natural resources, and environmental education. The point of man having the power to change his surroundings is that man has the mental and physical capacity to change the surroundings to benefit him and the human race, but at the same time he must consider how it will affect the environment and whether it will destroy it. Human population growth is important to consider because it presents itself as a problem to environment protection. As more people take land and develop it for houses or agriculture to feed and house the growing population, the declaration states that policies and measures should be adopted to counteract these environmentally harmful decisions. The declaration talks about the preservation of natural resources because they represent samples of natural ecosystems. The declaration states that natural resources must be safeguarded for the benefit of present and future generations. The declaration also states that environmental education is essential to the conduct and understanding of environmental protection.

C) The United Nations drafted this declaration and they regulate it, specifically the UN Environment Programme who monitors, collects, and interpretsenvironmental data, creates awareness, coordinates and develops activities aimed at sustainability, and helps implement policy (internationally and nationally).

a) The Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA) was created

from the SARA act of 1986 and it is a national act.

b) The EPCRA was designed to improve the community access to information about chemical hazards and to make it easier to develop a chemical emergency response plans by state/tribe and local government. It is responsible for the coordinating certain emergency responses and for appointing local emergency planning committees.

c) The US federal law enforces the EPCRA and it was passed by Congress in 1986.

a) The Endangered Species Act was passed by Congress in 1973. It was recently amended on January 24th of 2002. Its predecessor, the Endangered Species Preservation Act, was passed in 1966. This act was amended by the Endangered Species Conservation Act in 1969. President Richard Nixon requested that Congress rewrite and expand these acts, and it was signed into law in December of 1973.

b) The purpose of the Endangered Species Act is to provide for the conservation and protection of threatened plants, animals, and their habitats in the U.S. This act requires federal agencies to ensure that their actions (that are be authorized, funded, or directly carried out by them) will not jeopardized any endangered species or will not threaten the habitats of these species. Actions that take endangered species from their habitats are also prohibited. And finally, import, export, interstate, and foreign trade of these species is illegal. . It is also worth noting that they also handle things such as animal trafficking in order to prevent the animals from being sold illegally. It is also their job to determine whether a species is endangered, threatened, or when it no longer needs government protection (the eagle no longer does). One interesting thing to note is that if an endangered species act also evaluates habitat so that they can understand just how well a species is doing. If there is too little habitat and too many animals, relocation or population control measures shall be taken.

c) The primary organizations charged with enforcing the Endangered Species Act are the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The FWS compiles and maintains the list of all endangered species.

a) Energy Policy Act ; Draft Year: 1992; Amendment Years: 2005; National: United States government Act

b) Description of Function: (1992) Addressing energy efficiency, energy conservation, and energy management. Some of the parts addressed: Natural gas imports and exports; Alternative fuels requiring certain fleets to acquire alternative fuel vehicles; Electric motor vehicles; Radioactive waste; Amended parts of the Federal Power Act of 1935; Coal power and clean coal; Renewable energy; (2005) Addressing the provision of tax incentives and loan guarantees for energy production of various types. Some of the parts addressed: Large number of general provisions including tax breaks, prohibition of the manufacturing/importation of certain products, subsidies to certain enterprises, and many requirements; Amended the Uniform Time Act of 1966 (addresses daylight saving time, and the date clocks are set forward/back); Tax reductions in such areas as nuclear power, fossil fuel production, and energy conservation and efficiency; Commercial building reduction; Energy Management

c) Agencies of Regulation; United States Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy

A.Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA) signed by President Clinton on August 1996; not amended.

B. The FQPA changed the way the EPA regulated pesticides. They put stricter standards on the use of pesticides. The EPA also reassessed the existing pesticide tolerances. This act has led to significant enhancements in public health and environmental protection.The FQPA mandates a single, health-based standard for all pesticides in all foods; provides special protections for infants and children; expedites approval of safer pesticides, and creates incentives for the development and maintenance of effective crop protection tools for American farmers. It also requires periodic re-evaluation of pesticide registrations and tolerances to ensure that the scientific data supporting pesticide registrations will remain up to date in the future.

C. The EPA is responsible for the regulation and enforcement of this act.

  1. Law of the Sea Convention was first formed in 1956 and was concluded in 1982, but was modified substantially in 1994. This convention is sponsored by the United Nations so it’s international.
  2. The Law of the Sea Convention defines the rights and responsibilities of nations in their use of the world's oceans, establishing guidelines for businesses, the environment, and the management of marine natural resources. During the first LOSC convention in 1956, four treaties were formed: Convention on the Territorial Sea and Contiguous Zone, Convention on the Continental Shelf, Convention on the High Seas, and Convention on Fishing and Conservation of Living Resources of the High Seas. However, these treaties didn’t deal with the important issue of the breadth territorial waters. The second LOSC convention, held in 1960, but nothing really changed. The third and final convention was held in 1973 and debates lasted until 1982. Some major issues that were disused included setting limits, navigation, archipelagic status and transit regimes, exclusive economic zones (EEZs), continental shelf jurisdiction, deep seabed mining, the exploitation regime, protection of the marine environment, scientific research, and settlement of disputes. And finally, the 1994 Agreement on Implementation was adopted as a binding international Convention. It mandated that key articles, including those on limitation of seabed production and mandatory technology transfer, would not be applied, that the United States, if it became a member, would be guaranteed a seat on the Council of the International Seabed Authority, and finally, that voting would be done in groups, with each group able to block decisions on substantive matters. The 1994 Agreement also established a Finance Committee that would originate the financial decisions of the Authority, to which the largest donors would automatically be members and, decisions would be made by consensus.
  3. The agency responsible for the regulation is the United Nations.
  1. Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act (also called Duck Stamp Act). Drafted in year 1934. Amended in years 1958, 1976, 1982. National act.
  2. This act requires waterfowl hunters that are 16 or older to purchase federal hunting stamps. The funds of these stamps go to the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund. These funds go towards the creations of waterfowl protection areas which are mostly wetlands. The stamp cost has gone from $1 since it was created, to $15 in each hunting year. The stamps are issued once a year and hunters must purchase one in order to hunt. The waterfowl protection areas help protect birds from over hunting and extinction.
  3. The act is regulated and enforced by the state and federal governments.

A.) National Environmental Policy Act became a law on January 1, 1970. It was drafted in 1969 and has not since been ammended.

B.) The National Environmental Policy Act requires federal agencies to be conscious of environmental values. This means that in all of their decision making they must consider the impact this decision might have on the environment. This Act was enforced in order to be conscious of the environment, and to work towards protecting it.

C.) The CEQ, or Council on Environmental Quality, enforces this Act and regulates it.

A.)National Wildlife Act was originally written in 1966. It has been amended several times. In 1968, an amendment stated the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission must be consulted before disposal of any such acquired land. In 1974, this amendment requires payment of the fair market value for rights-of-way or other interests granted, with the proceeds deposited into the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund and made available for land acquisition. A 1976 amendment clarified that acquired lands or interests therein can be exchanged for acquired or public lands. A 1978 amendment changes the 1966 Act to permit the opening of more than 40 percent of an area acquired as a migratory bird sanctuary to hunting when it is determined to be beneficial to the species hunted. A 1988 amendment made violations of the Act or implementing regulations subject to fines under the provisions of Title 18 of the U.S. Code. On October 9, 1997, President Clinton signed the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 into law. This is a national law.

B.)This is an act to provide for the conservation, protection, and propagation of native species of fish and wildlife, including migratory birds, that are threatened with extinction; to consolidate the authorities relating to the administration by the Secretary of the Interior of the National Wildlife Refuge System; and for other purposes.

C.)The agency responsible for regulation and enforcement of this act is the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

  1. National WildlifeRefuge System Act originally written in 1966, amended several times, including recently in 1997. National act
  2. This act ensures that the National Wildlife Refuge System is managed as a national system of related lands, waters, and interests for the protection and conservation of our nation’s wildlife resources. The 1966 Act provides guidelines and directions for administration and management of fish and wildlife that are threatened with extinction, wildlife refuge ranges, game ranges, wildlife management areas, or waterfowl production areas. In 1968, an amendment stated the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission must be consulted before disposal of any such acquired land. In 1974, this amendment requires payment of the fair market value for rights-of-way or other interests granted, with the proceeds deposited into the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund and made available for land acquisition. A 1976 amendment clarified that acquired lands or interests therein can be exchanged for acquired or public lands. A 1978 amendment changes the 1966 Act to permit the opening of more than 40 percent of an area acquired as a migratory bird sanctuary to hunting when it is determined to be beneficial to the species hunted. A 1988 amendment made violations of the Act or implementing regulations subject to fines under the provisions of Title 18 of the U.S. Code. On October 9, 1997, President Clinton signed the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 into law. This is a national law. This is an act to provide for the conservation, protection, and propagation of native species of fish and wildlife, including migratory birds, that are threatened with extinction; to consolidate the authorities relating to the administration by the Secretary of the Interior of the National Wildlife Refuge System; and for other purposes.
  3. The agency responsible for regulation and enforcement of this act is the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

A)The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA) International

B)The Oil Pollution Act streamlined and strengthened EPA’s ability to prevent and respond to catastrophic oil spills. A trust fund financed by a tax on oil is available to clean up spills when the responsible party is incapable or unwilling to do so. This was signed into law in August 1990, largely in response to rising public concern following the Exxon Valdez incident.

C)EPA is responsible for the regulation and enforcement of this Act.

A. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) July 1975 introduced, became law October 1976; Amendment into Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendmendments 1984; National

B. Governs US waste disposal; purpose is to reduce waste, dispose of waste more soundly, conserve energy. It set up a framework for non-solid waste disposal. This is a corrective measure.

C. This act gives power to the EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency)

A.Rio Earth Summit was first held in 1992. It is an international conference that still occurs to this day.

B. The Rio Earth Summit was the largest environmental conference ever to be held. The objective of the conference was to build upon the hopes and achievements of the Brundtland Report. This report informed the world about the urgency of making progress toward economic development that can be sustained without harming natural resources or the environment. In order to successfully fulfill those goals, the Rio Earth Summit educated people about global environmental problems and agreed to any major treaties on biodiversity, climate change, and forest management. Five agreements made at the conference:The Convention on Biological Diversity (international treaty to sustain the diversity of life on Earth);The framework of the Convention on Climate change (international environmental treaty);Principles of Forest Management (assert the right of nations to profit from their own forest resources, but recommend that this occur within a framework of forest protection, management and conservation);The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development (Principles for a global agenda for transition to sustainability in the 21st century);Agenda 21 (a “blueprint” for sustainable development)