ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS, REGULATIONS, AND STANDARDS
Environmental laws are a group of legal guidelines and policies that operate to control the interaction of human activities in the environment. They consist of statutes, treaties, rules, and conventions, and mainly fall under common law (Percival et al., 2017). They aim at protecting human health and preserving the ecosystem. They also manage and conserve land, and controls pollutions. The laws protect resources like water, soil, land, and air under different Acts such as Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act as explained Percival et al. (2017). Individuals who break these laws by polluting the watershed, dumping and starting forest fire receive punishment in the form of fines, imprison and community service.
Environmental regulations on the other hands are principles and requirements that help control pollution that result from chemicals and other materials released by a plant. Also, the regulations encompass conservation management that maintains a healthy ecosystem through land protection and guaranteeing diversity of species (Percival et al., 2017). Common pollution type includes discharge of heated water into a water body or creating excessive dust. The regulations control the volume generated, size of the facility and the nature of the industry.
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Environmental standards are policy procedures that limit the activities of people upon the surrounding. Based on Percival et al. (2017), environmental standards affirm specific specification for instance 50% damage to natural forest or a lake pH that ranges from 6.5 to 7.5. These standards provide conditions which guarantee that quality becomes adhered to for specific functions or components of the surrounding. There exist different types of environmental standards that include emission, ambient, and technology which must cooperate to aid reduction of the human activities effects to the surrounding.
FACTORS LEADING TO PASSAGE OF NEPA
Public Health and Water Quality Concern
Some issues facilitated the United States to demand protection of the environment. In the 1940s, public health and water quality issues as a result of increased urbanisation and industrialisation led to the formation of the Clean Air Act and Federal Water Pollution Control Act that helped in regulating the challenge (Anderson 2013).
Disposal Method Concern
Application of hazardous substances and improper waste disposal issues increased concern of citizens in the years the 1950s to 1960s. There was an oil spill in Santa Barbara which raised another public outrage forcing NEPA to become drafted as stated by Anderson (2013).
Air Pollution Concern
In 1962, there existed increased use of pesticides which had detrimental effects on the environment, especially on birds. Also, there was the issue of highway revolt that occurred in many cities of US which demanded relocation or removal of freeways. Anderson (2013) claimed that the highway construction led to ecosystem damage and more dust exposure during bulldozing which was a national problem that raised local concern. The highway revolt continued due to the energy crisis and the high cost of fuel. Again, the increased environmentalists’ movement occurred as a result.
COMPROMISES FOR PASSAGE OF NEPA
NEPA passing was a short and precise activity that required the national policy to engage in environmental protection. Also, there was a need to create a council (CEQ) and participate in the assessment of the environment (EIS) as significant activities essential for in impacting the environment (Anderson 2013). For collaboration, the government involves the public while the CEQ regulation suggests that the agencies should engage the community regarding the NEPA process and should as well provide notice of any hearing and the public meeting (Anderson 2013). These regulations also ensure that the agencies recognise parties interested in the actions proposed and to use public notices such as newspapers to communicate to the society.
Societal techniques and practices are essential in recognition of better methods and ideas that result to little effects to the environment and improved health. Before passing the NEPA process, a reasoned communication shared vision and trust is essential to achieve the collaboration of the parties at different stages of NEPA process (Anderson 2013). Involvement of the public, the State, and the agencies among other groups result in a better discussion of a variety of issues which lead to a way forward and improved the chances of project success. Therefore, a collaborative approach among different Acts is fundamental especially the legislator and the court for maximum idea generation.
References
Anderson, F. R. (2013). NEPA in the courts: a legal analysis of the National Environmental Policy Act . Routledge.
Percival, R. V., Schroeder, C. H., Miller, A. S., & Leape, J. P. (2017). Environmental regulation: Law, science, and policy . Wolters Kluwer Law & Business.
