CERCLA
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, known as CERCLA, was passed by Congress in 1980. It was created in response to the suddenly urgent need for hazardous waste clean
up. Clean Air Act
The Clean Air Act is the main force behind the control of air pollution in the United States. The Act enforces a complicated program for reducing air pollution. Clean Water Act
With the Clean Water Act of 1972, the United States federal government assumed a primary role in the control of water pollution Endangered Species Act
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 was passed in attempts to prevent the further elimination of animal species in the United States and to help such animal populations to grow. Energy Reorganization Act
The Energy Reorganization Act was passed by the U.S. Congress in 1974. Its purpose was to launch a non-nuclear federal research program
and to separate nuclear power research from regulation. EPCRA
The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act was passed by the U.S. Congress in 1986. It was a response to various instances throughout the world of deaths caused by accidental chemical releases. Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act
The U.S. Federal Insecticide, Fungicide
and Rodenticide Act of 1972, known as FIFRA, put the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in charge of regulating the use of pesticides and herbicides. Federal Land Policy and Management Act
The U.S. Federal Land Policy and Management Act was passed in 1976. It gave the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, known as the BLM, the authority to manage its lands. Hazardous Materials Transportation Act
The Hazardous Materials Transportation Act was passed by the U.S. Congress in 1975. It was part of a general transportation law, and it strengthened previous laws of its kind. Homestead Act
The Homestead Act was put in place by the U.S. Congress in 1862. It allowed American citizens to receive 160 acres of Western land
free after they had spent five years farming it. National Environmental Policy Act
The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 requires U.S. federal agencies to consider the environmental effects of their actions. This act, referred to as the NEPA, also created the Council on Environmental Quality, called the CEQ. National Forest Management Act
The U.S. National Forest Management Act of 1976 put in place a system for forest management. The Act was deemed necessary after several debates over the legality of clear-cutting forests. National Park Service Act
The National Park Services Act, passed in 1916, established the National Park Service in the United States. It was the first agency of this sort in the world. Occupational Safety and Health Act
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Act, put in place in 1970, maintains a safe and healthy working environment for employees of companies and businesses. Oil Pollution Act
The Oil Pollution Act was signed into law in 1990 by U.S. President George Bush. The Act was an almost immediate reaction to the crash of the oil
tanker Exxon Valdez near Alaska. Phases
The growth in environmental politics occurred through four movements spread over this period: conservation-efficiency, conservation prevention, environmental, and participatory environmentalism. Pollution Prevention Act
The Pollution Prevention Act was put in place by the U.S. Congress in 1990. It was passed for the purpose
of preventing the creation of pollution. Public Opinion
Environmental issues have existed for a very long time. Yet, they come and go from the spotlight depending partially on one factor; the public's concern about the issues at hand and the environment in general. Regimes
Depending on the type of government regime, environmental politics may have either a large or small
impact a county's decision making. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
The U.S. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act was passed in 1976. Called RCRA, the law was a response to the problem of how to dispose of a nation's solid waste. Soil Conservation Act
The U.S. Soil Conservation Act of 1935 established the Soil Conservation
Service. This agency deals with soil erosion problems. Solar Energy Act
The U.S. Solar Energy Research, Development and Demonstration Act was put in place in 1974 in recognition of the U.S.'s heavy dependence on petroleum from other countries. Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act
The U.S. Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act was
enacted in 1977. It set federal mining standards for coal, as well as standards for the reclamation of mining sites. Toxic Substances Control Act
The Toxic Substances Control Act was passed by the U.S. Congress in 1976. Called TSCA, it is the primary regulatory law regarding toxic substances and gives the EPA wide powers over regulating chemicals. Wilderness Act
The Wilderness Act set up the National Wilderness Preservation System. The Act is intended to preserve land in its natural condition for the good of both the environment and humanity. | 
