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This draft list is composed of major US Federal Enabling Laws and Regulations. State and municipal jurisdictions may have additional and/or more stringent policies.
7CFR340 (1997) - Gives the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) the mandate to control the introduction of genetically modified organisms.
African Elephant Conservation Act (1988) ( Public Law (PL) 100-478 Title II ) - Establishes the African Elephant Conservation Fund. The Act also places a moratorium on the importation of raw or worked ivory from African elephant producing countries that do not meet certain criteria found in the Act.
Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (1980) (PL 96-487) - Establishes various conservation system units in Alaska to preserve lands and waters with nationally significant values, including historic, archaeological, and cultural values.
Alien Species Prevention Enforcement Act (1992) (PL 102-393) - Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to operate a program to protect the State of Hawaii from the introduction of prohibited plants, plant pests and injurious animals that may be contained in the mail.
American Wetlands Ecosystems - Establishes an infrastructure and provides a source of funding to go toward wetlands restoration, management, and enhancement projects.
Anadromous Fish Conservation Act (1965 ) (PL 89-304) - Authorizes the Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce to enter into cooperative agreements with the States and other non-Federal interests for conservation, development, and enhancement of anadromous fish, including those in the Great Lakes, and to contribute up to 50 percent as the Federal share of the cost of carrying out such agreements.
Antarctic Conservation Act ( 1978) (PL 95-541) - Provides for the conservation and protection of the fauna and flora of Antarctica and of the ecosystem upon which such fauna and flora depend.
Asian Elephant Conservation Act (1997) ( PL 105-96) - To assist in the conservation of Asian elephants by supporting and providing financial resources for the conservation programs of nations within the range of Asian elephants and projects of persons with demonstrated expertise in the conservation of Asian elephants.
Bald Eagle Protection Act (1940) - Provides for the protection of the bald eagle (the national emblem) and the golden eagle by prohibiting, except under certain specified conditions, the taking, possession and commerce of such birds.
Clean Air Act (1970) (PL 91-604) - Established Federal standards for various pollutants from both stationary and mobile sources and to provide for the regulation of polluting emissions via state implementation plans. The 1977 amendments stipulate requirements to prevent significant deterioration of air quality and, in particular, to preserve air quality in national parks, national wilderness areas, national monuments, and national seashores. The Clean Air Act was last amended on 1990.
Clean Water Act (1977) PL 95-217 - Established the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States . Gave EPA the authority to implement pollution control programs such as setting wastewater standards for industry, and set water quality standards for all contaminants in surface waters. It also funded the construction of sewage treatment plants under the construction grants program and recognized the need for planning to address the critical problems posed by nonpoint source pollution.
Coastal Barrier Resources Act (1982) (PL 97-348) - Protects ecologically sensitive coastal barriers along the coasts of the U.S. Establishes the Coastal Barrier Resources System and prohibits new federal expenditures and financial assistance for development within the System.
Coastal Zone Protection Act (1996) (PL 104-150) - Assures that all federally conducted or supported activities, including development projects directly affecting the coastal zone, are consistent with approved state coastal management programs.
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) (1980) (PL 96-510) - Provides a federal “Superfund” to clean up uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites as well as accidents, spills, and other emergency releases of pollutants and contaminants into the environment. Established liability to the U.S. Government for damage to natural resources over which the U.S. has sovereign rights.
Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act (1978) (PL 95-313) - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to provide financial, technical, and other assistance to State foresters or equivalent State officials for: (1) the rural forestry assistance program; (2) the forestry incentive program; (3) insect and disease control; (4) urban and community forestry assistance programs; (5) fire prevention and control in rural communities and areas; (6) fire prevention and control on non-Federal forest and rural lands; (7) forest resources management and planning assistance programs; and (8) cooperative technology implementation programs.
Cooperative Research and Training Units Act (1960) (PL 86-686) - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements with colleges and universities, State fish and game agencies, and nonprofit organizations for the purpose of developing adequate, coordinated, cooperative research and training programs for fish and wildlife resources.
Department of Commerce (DOC) and DOI Joint Secretarial Order - Directs NMFS and FWS to consider the full array of tribal knowledge and expertise in the administration of the Endangered Species Act. The Order provides for the tribes to educate the bureaus on certain aspects of the species that may not be universally known to the non-Indian community, and provides an avenue for the tribes to contribute traditional knowledge of migration, nesting, mating, and other habits.
Endangered Species Act (1973) (PL 93-205) - P rovides a program for the conservation of threatened and endangered plants and animals and the habitats in which they are found. The law prohibits any action that results in a “taking” of a listed species, or adversely affects habitat. Likewise, import, export, interstate, and foreign commerce of listed species are all prohibited.
Environmental Education Act (1990) (PL 101-619) - Establishes the Office of Environmental Education within EPA to develop and administer a Federal environmental education program. The office is required to develop and support environmental programs in consultation with other Federal natural resource management agencies.
Estuary Protection Act (1970) (PL 90-454) - Protects, conserves, and restores estuaries in a manner that maintains a balance between the national need for such protection in the interest of conserving the natural resources and natural beauty of the nation, and the need to plan for proposed development in these estuaries as growth occurs.
Executive Order 11990 (1977) - Requires federal agencies, in planning their actions, to consider alternatives to wetland sites and limit potential damage if an activity affecting a wetland cannot be avoided.
Executive Order 12114 (1979) – Ensures that Federal agencies are informed of pertinent environmental considerations when authorizing and approving actions involving foreign nations, and to take such considerations into account in making decisions regarding such actions.
Executive Order 13089 (1998) – Established to preserve and protect the biodiversity, health, heritage, and social and economic value of U.S. coral reef ecosystems and the marine environment.
Farmland Protection Policy Act (1981) (PL 97-98) - Minimizes the extent to which federal programs contribute to the unnecessary and irreversible conversion of farmland to uses that result in the loss of essential food or environmental resource.
Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (1937) - Provides Federal aid to States for management and restoration of wildlife. Project activities include acquisition and improvement of wildlife habitat, introduction of wildlife into suitable habitat, research into wildlife problems, surveys and inventories of wildlife problems, acquisition and development of access facilities for public use, and hunter education programs.
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (1947) - Authorizes EPA to regulate the distribution, sale, use, and testing of pesticides in order to protect humans and the environment. Requires all pesticides to be registered after a demonstration of health and safety; the classification of pesticides for general or restricted use; and the suspension or cancellation of those pesticides found to cause unreasonable adverse effects on the environment or people.
Federal Land Policy and Management Act (1976) (PL 94-579) - Requires coordination with Indian tribes, as well as with other Federal agencies and State and local governments, in the preparation and maintenance of an inventory of the public lands and their various resources and other values; in the development and maintenance of long-range plans providing for the use of the public lands; and in the management of the public lands.
Federal Noxious Weed Act (1974) (PL 93-629) - Provides for the control and eradication of noxious weeds, and the regulation of the interstate movement of those weeds which interfere with the growth of useful plants, clog waterways, interfere with navigation, cause disease, have other adverse effects upon man and his environment, and are detrimental to agriculture and commerce of the U.S. and public health.
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act (1980) (PL 96-366): Establishes a program of financial and technical assistance to States for the development and revisions of nongame fish and wildlife conservation plans. Encourages all Federal departments and agencies to utilize their statutory and administrative authorities in furtherance of the policy of this Act.
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (1934) : Requires federal agencies to take into consideration the effect that water-related projects have on fish and wildlife resources, to take action to prevent loss or damage of these resources, and to provide for their development and improvement.
Fish and Wildlife Improvement Act (1978) (95-616) - Authorizes the Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce to establish, conduct, and assist with national training programs for State fish and wildlife law enforcement personnel. Also authorized funding for research and development of new or improved methods to support fish and wildlife law enforcement.
Food Security Act (1985) (PL 99-198) - Eliminated USDA farm program benefits for crops grown on wetland converted after 1985 by tying farm program benefits to compliance with wetland protection measures.
Foreign Assistance Act (1961) (PL 87-195) - Directs the U.S. to provide support to developing countries for training programs, educational efforts, environmental conservation, research and other activities.
Great Lakes Critical Programs Act (1990) (PL 101-596) - Aims to control non-indigenous aquatic animal nuisances, improve the health of fishery resources, and update surveys of fishery resources in the Great Lakes region.
Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act (1990) (PL 101-537) - Establishes regional and departmental coordinating bodies, plans and funding structures designed to protect and aid in the recovery of endangered and threatened species and damaged ecosystems in the Great Lakes region.
Great Apes Conservation Act (2000) (PL 106-411) - Assists in the conservation of great apes (chimpanzee, gorilla, bonobo, orangutan, and gibbon) by supporting and providing financial resources for the conservation programs of countries within the range of great apes.
Hawaii Tropical Forest Recovery Act (1992) (PL 102-574) - Expands the Institute of Pacific Island Forestry and other tropical forest facilities in Hawaii, establishes a Hawaii Experimental Tropical Forest, and promotes the sound management and conservation of tropical forests in the United States and worldwide.
Interjurisdictional Fisheries Act (1986) (PL 99-659) : Supports states in managing their fisheries through a system of grants and disaster relief, conservation and management programs.
International Environment Protection Act (1983) - Mandates the development of a U.S. strategy to preserve biological diversity in developing countries. The annual reports mandated by the State Department Authorization Act are also required to contain information related to efforts to conserve biological diversity, under this Act.
International Financial Institutions Act (1977) - Provides that United States assistance to multilateral development banks should promote sustainable use of natural resources and the protection of the environment.
International Forestry Cooperation Act (1990) (PL 101-513 Title VI) - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to support forestry and related natural resource activities outside of the U.S. and its territories and possessions, as well as to share technical managerial, extension, and administrative skills related to public and private natural resource administration, provide education and training opportunities to promote technology transfer, and engage in scientific exchange and cooperative research with foreign governmental, educational, technical, and research institutions.
Lacey Act (1981) (PL 97-79) - Makes it illegal to partake in the trade of fish, wildlife, or plants taken in violation of any U.S. or Indian tribal law, treaty, or regulation as well as the trade of any of these items acquired through violations of foreign law.
Land and Water Conservation Fund Act (1964) (PL 88-578) - Provides a system for funding of Federal, State, and local parks & conservation areas. Gives states and localities incentives to plan and invest in their own park systems.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (1976) (PL 94-265) - Calls for the identification of essential fish habitat, the adverse impacts on that habitat, and the actions that should be considered to ensure the conservation and enhancement of that habitat.
Marine Mammal Protection Act (1972) (PL 92-522) - Establishes a moratorium on the taking and importation of marine mammals, including parts and products, and defines Federal responsibility for conservation of marine mammals.
Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (1972) (PL 92-532) - Regulates the ocean dumping of waste, provides for a research program on ocean dumping, and provides for the designation and regulation of marine sanctuaries. Prevents or strictly limits dumping material that would adversely affect human health, or amenities, or the marine environment, ecological systems, or economic potentialities.
Migratory Bird Conservation Act (1929) -Supports the development of wildlife refuges for migratory birds. Established a Migratory Bird Conservation Commission to approve refuge areas for acquisition by purchase, rental or gift.
Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1918) - makes it unlawful to pursue, hunt, kill, capture, possess, buy, sell, purchase, or barter any migratory bird protected under this convention.
National Forest Management Act (1976) - Reorganized and expanded the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974, which called for the management of renewable resources on national forest lands. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to assess forest lands, develop a management program based on multiple-use, sustained-yield principles, and implement a resource management plan for each unit of the National Forest System.
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (1969) (PL 91-190) - Requires a detailed statement on the environmental impact of each federal activity and requires federal agencies to open their environmental decision-making processes to public and judicial review at several levels. Directs the federal government to recognize the worldwide character of environmental problems and lend appropriate support to initiatives, resolutions, and programs designed to maximize international cooperation in anticipating and preventing a decline in the quality of the world environment.
Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act (2000) (PL 106-247) - Provides grants to countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the United States for the conservation of neotropical migratory birds that winter south of the border and summer in North America.
New England Fishery Resources Restoration Act (1990) - (Section 111 of P.L 101-593) : Supports timely and effective implementation of restoration plans and programs for Atlantic salmon and other fishery resources in New England river systems, and requires a study of fish passage impediments and requirements on New England rivers and streams, and an inventory of fish and wildlife habitat and other natural areas of New England river basins.
Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act (1990) (PL 101-646 Title I) : Established a broad new Federal program to prevent introduction and control the spread of introduced aquatic nuisance species.
North American Wetlands Conservation Act (1989) (PL 101-233) - Provides matching grants to organizations and individuals who have developed partnerships to carry out wetlands conservation projects in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Oil Pollution Act (1990) (PL 101-380) - Mandates that vessels and marine transportation facilities develop oil spill response plans. Transportation related on-shore facilities such as pipelines, rail and highway rolling stock must also develop response plans.
Organic Foods Production Act (1990) - Helps to promote organic farming practices by providing national standards for the production of organic products and developing certification procedures.
Public Rangeland Improvement Act (1978) (PL 95-514) - Established policies aimed at improving the conditions of public rangelands for grazing, wildlife habitat, and other uses.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (1976) (PL 94-580) - regulates the treatment, transportation, storage, and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes. Requires reporting of hazardous waste, permitting for storage, transport, and disposal, and includes provisions for oil recycling and Federal hazardous waste facilities inventories.
Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act (1994) (103-391) - Assists in the conservation of rhinoceros and tigers by supporting and providing financial resources for the conservation programs of nations whose activities directly or indirectly affect rhinoceros and tiger populations, and of the CITES Secretariat.
Sikes Act (1960) (PL 86-797) - Provides for cooperation by the Departments of the Interior and Defense with State agencies in planning, development and maintenance of fish and wildlife resources on military reservations throughout the United States .
Superfund Amendment and Reauthorization Act (1986) - Added effects on natural resources as a criterion for determining facilities to be placed on the National Priorities List, and mandated the designation of Department of the Interior to act as trustee for natural resources and to assess damages and injury to, as well as destruction of, or loss of, natural resources.
Take Pride in America Act (1990) (PL 101-628 Title XI) – E stablishes a program to instill in the public an appreciation for Federal, State, and local lands, facilities, and cultural and natural resources. The program also conducts a national awards program to honor individuals and entities that distinguish themselves in the appreciation, conservation, and stewardship of these resources.
Tax Deductions for Conservation Easements (1980) (Pl96-541) - Taxpayers may take a deduction for a "qualified real property interest" contributed to a charitable organization exclusively for conservation purposes protected in perpetuity. In no case where the donor retains the mineral interests in the land may the minerals be extracted by surface mining methods.
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) (1976) (PL 94-469) - Grants authority to the EPA Administrator to establish a testing procedure for any drug that may present an unreasonable risk to health or the environment.
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (1968) (PL 90-542) – Supports the creation of sanctuaries around wild and scenic rivers.
Wild Bird Conservation Act (1992) (PL 102-440) - Promotes the conservation of exotic birds in their countries of origin by ensuring that all trade in such species involving the U.S. is biologically sustainable and to the benefit of the species and by limiting or prohibiting imports of exotic birds when necessary to ensure that exotic wild populations are not harmed by removal for the trade.
Wild Horses and Burros Act (1971) (PL 92-195) - Provides for protection of wild, free-roaming horses and burros. It directs the Bureau of Land Management of the Department of the Interior and Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture to manage such animals on public lands under their jurisdiction.
Wilderness Act (1964) (Pl 88-577) – Provides criteria for the formation of limited-use wilderness areas designed to preserve critical species and habitats.