Laws and Treaties - Environmental Science - page 362

Appendix D: Laws and Treaties
On recent AP Environmental Science examinations, students were asked to:
• Identify two federal laws that might be used to save a bird or its habitat.
• Identify a U.S., federal, or international treaty to prevent the extinction of animals.
• State two specific provisions of the Clean Water Act.
• Propose two incentives to switch to electric cars.
• Discuss the law that requires monitoring of treated sewage discharged into a river.
This appendix provides basic information on key environmental laws and treaties that protect ecosystems,
wildlife, and human health. There are many other laws and treaties, both in the United States and worldwide,
but this list describes the most common—those most likely to appear on the AP Environmental Science exam.
Laws are formal rules of conduct that people, businesses, or even government agencies must follow; they are
enforced by designated authorities. Laws are created and enforced at the local, state, or federal level. Federal
laws are passed by Congress and administered and enforced by specific government agencies. Laws may be
periodically amended.
Regulations are the detailed rules and procedures necessary to enforce a law, commonly established by the
agency designated to administer the law. Most federal environmental laws are administered and enforced by
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with some being administered by other U.S. government agen-
cies. The laws included in this section that are not regulated through the EPA are noted.
Treaties are formal agreements between international participants. They are also known as protocols, conven-
tions, agreements, and covenants.
United States Federal Laws
Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (1980): Provided for the creation or revision of 15 Na-
tional Park properties and set aside other public lands for the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wild-
life Service. This act is administered by the Department of the Interior.
Clean Air Act (CAA) (1970): Regulates emissions from both mobile and stationary sources, as well as haz-
ardous emissions; establishes National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to protect human health.
Clean Water Act (CWA) (1972): Regulates the discharge of pollutants into waterways and establishes quality
standards for surface waters, including industry wastewater standards.
Coastal Zone Management Act (1972): Allows for the protection of United States coastal zones from envir-
onmentally harmful overdevelopment. Federal monies are given to participating coastal states to be used to
conserve coastal areas.
Comprehensive Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) (1980): Provides for federal money
to be used for the cleanup of hazardous waste sites, including accidents and spills. If a responsible party can be
identified, the EPA has the power to hold the party responsible for remediation. If a responsible party cannot be