Laws and Treaties - Environmental Science - page 363

identified or if the responsibility party is unable to pay for cleanup, "Superfund" monies will pay for the re-
mediation of the hazardous waste site. This act is commonly known as "Superfund."
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) (1986): Protects communities from
the harmful effects of hazardous chemicals. It requires companies to disclose information about toxic sub-
stances that they are emitting into water, air, and land sources. This act also mandates that each state establish a
State Emergency Response Commission (SERC).
Endangered Species Act (ESA) (1973): Protects threatened and endangered species and their habitats. The
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) are the organizations responsible for enforcing the ESA, with the FWS in charge of maintaining a
global endangered species list.
Energy Policy Act (EPA) (2005): Creates standards governing energy production in the United States, includ-
ing energy efficiency, electricity, energy tax incentives, climate change technology, renewable energy, oil, coal,
gas, nuclear energy, hydrogen power, hydropower, geothermal energy, and vehicles and motor fuels.
Farm Bill: See Federal Agricultural Improvement and Reform Act.
Federal Agricultural Improvement and Reform Act (Freedom to Farm Act) (1996): Addresses farm con-
servation and wetland protection; makes loans available in some situations for particular crops; improves the
production of milk, peanuts, and sugar; and created a commission to review past and current agricultural pro-
duction practices. This law is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (1996): Regulates pesticide sale, distribution,
and use. Pesticides must be reviewed and registered prior to use in the United States. If at any time a pesticide
is found to cause harm, the registration can be canceled, thereby banning the use of the pesticide.
Federal Land Policy and Management Act (1976): Protects, manages, develops, and enhances public lands.
It governs the use of public lands by protecting historic, scenic, scientific, and ecologically important areas.
This law is administered by the Bureau of Land Management.
Fish and Wildlife Act (1956): Establishes a comprehensive fish, shellfish, and wildlife resource policy with
an emphasis on the commercial fishing industry. This is administered by the Department of the Interior.
Fisheries Conservation and Management Act (1976): Allows for the management and control of U.S. mar-
ine fishery populations, with the goals of maintaining and restoring population levels to healthy numbers and
avoiding overharvesting. This law is also known as the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
Food Quality Protection Act (1996): Aids protection of public health by setting and maintaining strict food
safety standards. It safeguards infants and children from pesticide exposure in food, water, and indoor sources.
This law overhauled the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Ro-
denticide Act.
Food Securities Act-Swampbuster Provision (1985): Discourages the alteration of wetlands for the use of
agriculture. Farmers who fill in or alter a wetland are not eligible for farm program benefits. This is admin-
istered through the Department of Agriculture.
Fur Seal Act (1966): Prohibits the taking of fur seals on U.S. lands except by indigenous peoples who live in
the Pacific Northwest. It is administered by the Department of the Interior.