The development of Industrialization in the US economy has had major benefits to the growth of the economy and the Gross Domestic Product of the country over the course of the years, however, the process has also had various negative effects within the society. A widespread issue that has been discussed is the impact of industrialization on the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency was developed by the United States Government to protect human health and the environment. The Agency’s responsibility lies solely in the management of the environment and ensuring that there are reduced levels of pollution, by monitoring the emissions and enforcing the laws of the state on environmental and human health protection. With the functions of the EPA and through the enactment of statutes such as the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act and many others (“Environmental Decision Making, Science, and Technology,” n.d.). The EPA is able to handle various cases of environmental pollution and enacts regulations that ensure environmental and health maintenance. For this paper, two analyses will be made of situations where the environment is being polluted, and providing adequate measures that can be implemented to prevent further damage to the environment.
Question 1
In the first instance, Jelly Stone National Park has observed an increase in the use of snowmobiles. The snowmobiles have been proven to be causes of air and noise pollution as they utilize internal combustion engines. In addition, the snowmobiles are directly affecting the wildlife living in that area. The Jellybean Bison which is the main attraction within the park is frightened by the noise caused by the engines and alternatively shifts its habitat. In such a scenario, the park's revenue and attraction would be at a risk and hence would ultimately, in the long run, lead to a closure.
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Through NEPA, the Jellystone Chamber of Commerce and Fund for Jellystone would have very high arguments for ensuring the Park takes an Environmental Impact Statement. The Act urges on the need to ensure the maintenance of the environment to man’s utilization without profound impacts on the same environment which can ultimately result to harm of health and prosperity of the people and land. NEPA urges on the need for the Federal Government to guarantee the proper utilization of its authority to ensure the environment at all times is maintained. Hence, the two bodies, in their quest to ensure the safety of the park and the animals can have an EIS developed to satisfy the conditions of the park. In this manner, the Park, using the same Act with various sections serving as valid argumentative points. For instance Section 102 where the federal government to ensure the conditions and trends present are not interfering with the quality of the environment (Department of Energy, 1970). In this respect, they are able to argue that the snowmobiles have the capacity for future interference and thus result in the action of the federal government decreeing the need for an EIS.
Park officials can thus take up measures to ensure that the immediate need for an EIS is eliminated. First, the park can spark the discussion on alternatives to snowmobiles prior to the upcoming snowmobile season. Through this, the park officials are able to identify valid contributions to ensure the safety of the animals and the environment (Basset, 2015). The target is to guarantee very little harm to the surrounding environment, hence investing and ensuring the snowmobiles that are present in the park are the four-stroke burning snowmobiles. Providing adequate research and information on their benefits over the two two-stroke burning snowmobiles would be beneficial in this effort (Popular Mechanics, 2006). Additionally, providing guidelines that ensure the trails that have been groomed within the park are adequately and properly utilized. Better care being taken to ensuring they do not interfere with the wildlife and maintain a minimal amount of pollution. Putting these measures in place would ensure the need for an EIS would be avoided as the instruments being utilized within the park have very little influence or interference with the environment and wildlife within the park.
Question 2
In the second instance, Oh My Porky Inc., through the deliberate refusal to ensure safety standards in the surrounding environment have violated several environmental laws stated under the Clean Air Act of 1990, and Clean Water Act of 1972. Oh My Porky Inc. as other organization has a task to ensure that its operations do not directly affect or impact the surrounding environment in a negative way. However, their activities have been the result of continued air pollution that has afflicted the neighbourhood, where people have had to close their windows constantly. The Clean Air Act was enacted to ensure that it maintains the human health as a primary objective. Secondly, the Act maintains aesthetics of all environments. Oh, My Porky Inc. through their operations has contributed massively to the continued emission of bad smelling gases. Under Section 7476, (Other Pollutants), of the United States Code where the CAA is incorporated, it is stated that the EPA has to ensure the emission of pollutant gases which may consequently lead to the deterioration of air quality are regulated (U.S Government Congress, 2013). Hence, Oh My Porky Inc. has to ensure it meets the standards of emission set by the EPA to prevent deterioration of air quality in the area.
Similarly, the operations of Oh My Porky Inc. in addition to causing air pollution, also cause water pollution. As explain in the excerpt, the drainage ditches, pond, and storage tank are all prone to overflowing. When this happens, the excess water drifts into the nearby Found River that has been considered healthy for drinking in Maine, a few miles down the river stream. The sewage has also resulted in the decrease in population of the artful dodger, a fish considered to be endangered. The Clean Water Act of 1972 is tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that the discharge of substances into the waters present within the United States is regulated. The EPA regulates the discharge of these pollutants through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program (US EPA, 2013). The EPA has also set certain standards which seek to regulate the management of wastewater to ensure they are not polluting other fresh waters. For the management of Waste Management, under the CWA, they are found in the Discharges from Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). The EPA has set a regulation that prohibits the discharge of CAFOs into waters of the US unless one holds a permit (US EPA, 2013). For Oh My Porky Inc. there are constant leaks of sewage into the waterways and alternatively endangering the health of persons using the water for drinking and other daily activities.
Since the firm has refused to enact any measurements to ensure the safe management of the raw sewage being emitted during its operations, and has consequently led to the pollution of both air and water, it is important to sew the organization for damages and also for contravening the laws as provided in the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts of the United States Constitution. For the people who have been greatly affected by the operations of the organization, through the continuous emission of gases that affect the air quality, and water pollution, the company faces various litigation charges that are based on valid and eminent issues resulting from its operations.
References
Basset, J. (2015, April 9). The Evolution of Four-Stroke Snowmobile Engines. Retrieved February 27, 2018, from http://www.snowmobile.com/products/the-evolution-of-fourstroke-snowmobile-engines-1944.html
Department of Energy. (1970). The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. United States Congress. Retrieved from https://energy.gov/nepa/downloads/national-environmental-policy-act-1969
Environmental Decision Making, Science, and Technology. (n.d.). Retrieved February 27, 2018, from http://environ.andrew.cmu.edu/m3/s7/us_laws.shtml
Popular Mechanics. (2006). The Newest 4-Stroke Snowmobiles Are Quieter, Cleaner And Fast. Retrieved February 27, 2018, from https://www.popularmechanics.com/adventure/outdoors/a222/1278041/
US EPA, O. (2013, May 3). Clean Water Act (CWA) Compliance Monitoring [Overviews and Factsheets]. Retrieved February 27, 2018, from https://www.epa.gov/compliance/clean-water-act-cwa-compliance-monitoring
U.S Government Congress. (2013). United States Congress Title 42 -The Public Health and Welfare, Chapter 85, Subchapter I, Part C, Section 7476. United States Government Publishing Office. Retrieved from https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/USCODE-2013-title42/html/USCODE-2013-title42-chap85-subchapI-partC-subparti-sec7476.htm
