Environmental Law – Timeline of Key Acts

The modern era of U.S. environmental protection began in the late 1960s. Congress passed sweeping laws to protect air, water, wildlife, and public health, many of which remain the backbone of environmental law today.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA, 1969)

• Established a national environmental policy.
• Required federal agencies to prepare Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) for major actions affecting the environment.
• Created the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ).

Clean Air Act (1970, amended 1977 & 1990)

• Authorized the EPA to regulate air emissions from stationary and mobile sources.
• Set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to protect public health and welfare.
• 1990 amendments expanded controls on acid rain, ozone depletion, and toxic pollutants.

Clean Water Act (1972, amended 1977 & 1987)

• Regulated discharges of pollutants into U.S. waters.
• Established the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program.
• Sought to restore and maintain the integrity of the nation’s waters.

Endangered Species Act (1973)

• Provided for the conservation of threatened and endangered plants and animals.
• Protected critical habitats and prohibited harm to listed species.
• Remains one of the strongest wildlife protection laws globally.

Safe Drinking Water Act (1974, amended 1986 & 1996)

• Protected the quality of drinking water in the U.S.
• Authorized the EPA to set standards for drinking water quality and oversee states, localities, and water suppliers.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA, 1976)

• Gave EPA authority over the management of hazardous waste.
• Set framework for the proper disposal of solid and hazardous waste.
• Amended by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments (HSWA) of 1984.

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA, 1980, “Superfund”)

• Created to clean up sites contaminated with hazardous substances.
• Authorized EPA to identify responsible parties and compel clean-up or seek reimbursement.
• Funded initially by a tax on the chemical and petroleum industries.

Why It Matters Today

Together, these laws form the backbone of U.S. environmental protection. They:

Endangered Species Act (ESA, 1973)

1) Link to the Text of the Act
Read the statute (16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq.)

2) Why It Was Done
The ESA was passed to protect species at risk of extinction and conserve the ecosystems upon which they depend. It was a response to growing concerns about biodiversity loss in the 20th century.

3) Pre-existing Law or Constitutional Rights
Earlier laws like the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966 and the Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1969 provided limited protections. The 1973 Act consolidated and strengthened federal authority.