46 - 1 Chapter 45 Environmental Protection and Global Warming.

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Chapter 45 Environmental Protection and Global Warming

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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 lawsCopyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall. 2

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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

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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


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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


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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


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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 vehiclesCopyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall. 7

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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


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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


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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


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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


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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


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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


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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


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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


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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


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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

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Toxic Substances and Hazardous Wastes Causes land pollution Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA): Regulates the disposal of new hazardous wastes


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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


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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

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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


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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


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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


46 - 1 Chapter 45 Environmental Protection and Global Warming.

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