US environmental control

Policy. The Federal Government shall use all practical means and measures. . . to create and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony, and fulfil the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations of Americans. NEPA Section 101(a) 

Federal plans, functions, programmes and resources must be used to achieve six general goals specified in section 101(b) including the assurance of safe, healthful, productive, and aesthetically and culturally pleasing surroundings for all Americans. 

In order to meet these targets section 102 of the NEPA details the following requirements to all federal agencies  

Developments from the NEPA such as EISs, and later State Environmental Protection Acts (SEPAs) have had a major impact upon American industry, especially the chemical industry. Industry s response to the introduction of these new legislation was initially guarded, however, as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grew in stature and legislation developed in specific areas of control, industry was forced to react quickly in order to ensure compliance with this new control regime. 

Today environmental legislation has developed into a two tier system of control - major federal statues, and secondary statues. The following section attempts to highlight significant environmental legislation under the three key target medium of air, land and water. 

---