ENVS203: Environmental Ethics, Justice, and World Views

5.2: Major U.S. Environmental Law

• University of California: "Environmental Laws and Regulations" Page

  The material summarizes the major federal, state, and international laws and treaties entered into by the United States. Pay attention to how federal and state laws work and compare these later in Unit 5 to how EU laws and Member State laws work.
  

• 5.2.1: The National Environmental Policy Act (1969)

  • The Free Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History: Jim Kershner's "NEPA, the National Environmental Policy Act" Page

    Read this detailed history behind the introduction and implementation of the NEPA. This Act is often regarded as the foundations of modern-day environmental policy in the United States. Once you have read the article, try to determine how the Act may have shaped the environment for the better. What parts of the Act do you believe may have the greatest positive impact on preserving the environment?
    

• 5.2.2: Clean Air Act (1970)

  • US Environmental Protection Agency: "Summary of the Clean Air Act" Page

    Read this brief summary of the Clean Air Act.

• 5.2.3: Clean Water Act (1972)

  • US Environmental Protection Agency: Senator Edmund S. Muskie's "The Meaning of the 1977 Clean Water Act" Page

    Read the brief introduction to the Clean Water Act. How do you think the Act may have helped to improve the health of U.S. citizens?
    

• 5.2.4: Endangered Species Act (1973)

  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: "Endangered Species Act: Overview" Page

    Read this introduction to the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
    

  • Subunit 5.2.4 Discussion URL

    After you have finished watching/reading, reflect on the following questions. If you wish, please post your thoughts on the discussion forum. Leave a reply to your classmates’ posts as well!

    Did you know that the ESA not only protects and preserves species, it also protects local economies? Example: Protecting salmon species supports commercial and recreational fishing. 

    Search online and find another species that is currently being protected so as to support a local economy.

• 5.2.5: Other Key U.S. Environmental Laws

  • National Resource Defense Council: "Reference/Links: Environmental Law & Treaties" URL

    This reading summarizes the key environmental laws. How do you think environmental law may take shape in the future, do you think regulations will become more stringent, and how do you think politics may play a part in this future?