Environmental Law Timeline
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA, 1969)
- Established a national environmental policy. - Required federal agencies to prepare Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) for major actions affecting the environment. - Created the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). ---
Clean Air Act (1970, amended 1977 & 1990)
- Authorized the EPA to regulate air emissions from stationary and mobile sources. - Set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to protect public health and welfare. - 1990 amendments expanded controls on acid rain, ozone depletion, and toxic pollutants. ---
Clean Water Act (1972, amended 1977 & 1987)
- Regulated discharges of pollutants into U.S. waters. - Established the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program. - Sought to restore and maintain the integrity of the nation’s waters. ---
Endangered Species Act (1973)
- Provided for the conservation of threatened and endangered plants and animals. - Protected critical habitats and prohibited harm to listed species. - Remains one of the strongest wildlife protection laws globally. ---
Safe Drinking Water Act (1974, amended 1986 & 1996)
- Protected the quality of drinking water in the U.S. - Authorized the EPA to set standards for drinking water quality and oversee states, localities, and water suppliers. ---
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA, 1976)
- Gave EPA authority over the management of hazardous waste. - Set framework for the proper disposal of solid and hazardous waste. - Amended by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments (HSWA) of 1984. ---
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA, 1980, “Superfund”)
- Created to clean up sites contaminated with hazardous substances. - Authorized EPA to identify responsible parties and compel clean-up or seek reimbursement. - Funded initially by a tax on the chemical and petroleum industries. ---
Why It Matters Today
Together, these laws form the backbone of U.S. environmental protection. They: - Empower the EPA and other agencies to regulate pollution. - Protect human health and natural ecosystems. - Remain central to debates over climate change, economic growth, and federal vs. state environmental au
Official Sources
- [EPA – Summary of Environmental Laws](https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-environmental-laws) - [National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. § 4321)](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title42/chapter55&edition=prelim) - [Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. § 7401)](https://uscode