| A | B |
|---|
| Preservation | Remaining wilderness areas on public lands should be left untouched |
| Conservation | Controlled Use, Scientific Management of natural resources. Greatest good for the greatest number of people. |
| Remediation | Most often used with cleanup of chemical contaminants in a polluted area. |
| Restoration | To bring back to former condition (Former Natural State/.Condition), active restoration seeks to reestablish a diverse, dynamic community at sited that have been degraded. |
| International Acts | Antarctic Treaty,CITES Treaty, 1975, Kyoto Conference, 1997, Montreal Protocol, 1987,Rio Earth Summit, 1992, UN Conference on the Human Environment, Stockholm, 1972, |
| Mitigation | Repairing/Rehabilitating a damaged ecosystem or compensation for damage, Most often by providing a substitute or replacement area; frequently involves wetland ecosystems. |
| NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) 1970 | The law established a U.S. national policy promoting the enhancement of the environment and also established the President's Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). Essentially this act began the EPA. Set up procedural requirements for all federal government agencies to prepare Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs). EAs and EISs contain statements of the environmental effects of proposed federal agency actions. NEPA's procedural requirements apply to all federal agencies in the executive branch. Does not apply to the President, to Congress, or to the federal courts |
| U.S. Clean Water Act | establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface waters. Was enacted in 1948 and was called the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, but the Act was significantly reorganized and expanded in 1972. Amended in 1977. The Act does NOT deal directly with ground water nor with water quantity issues. Under this act the EPA has implemented pollution control programs such as setting wastewater standards for industry. The EPA has also set water quality standards for all contaminants in surface waters. The Act made it unlawful to discharge any pollutant from a point source into navigable waters, unless a permit was obtained. EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls discharges. Point sources are discrete conveyances such as pipes or man-made ditches. Individual homes that are connected to a municipal system, use a septic system, or do not have a surface discharge do not need an. NPDES permit; however, industrial, municipal, and other facilities must obtain permits if their discharges go directly to surface waters. |
| National Pollutant Discharge Elimination system NPDES | permit program control point source discharge to surface water |
| Clean Air Acts ('62 '65 '65 '70 '77 '90) | Six common air pollutants (also known as criteria pollutants) are found all over the United States; Particulates (PM), Sulfur dioxide (SO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx)*, Ozone (O3), and Lead (PB). EPA calls these pollutants |
| Primary Standards | set of limits based on human health in Clean Air Act |
| Secondary Standards | limits intended to prevent environmental and property damage in Clean Air Act |
| Attainment area | A geographic area with air quality that is cleaner than the primary standard |
| Nonattainment area | areas that do not meet the primary standard |
| Energy Policy Act (1992) | Addresses energy production in the United States, including: (1) energy efficiency; (2) renewable energy; (3) oil and gas; (4) coal; (5) Tribal energy; (6) nuclear matters and security; (7) vehicles and motor fuels, including ethanol; (8) hydrogen; (9) electricity; (10) energy tax incentives; (11) hydropower and geothermal energy; and (12) climate change technology. For example, the Act provides loan guarantees for entities that develop or use innovative technologies that avoid the by-production of greenhouse gases. |
| CERCLA (Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act) 1980 | otherwise known as Superfund – 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. Through the Act, EPA was given power to seek out those parties responsible for any release and assure their cooperation in the cleanup |
| RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act 1976 and 1984) | Requires E.P.A. to I.D. hazardous waste and set standards for there management -Provides Guidelines and money-aid for states with established waste management programs. -Also requires all firms that store, treat, or dispose of more than 100 kg.(220 lbs.) of hazardous waste per month to have a permit stating how much wastes are to be managed. -Cradle to the grave tracking system |
| Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act | EPA sets tolerance levels, limits for pesticide residuals in food -1958 – Delaney Clause zero tolerance 1996 Amendments, acceptable risk -one in a million level-risks vs. benefits extra protection for children |
| FIFRA (Federal, Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodent Control Act, '72 '75 '78 '88) | Requires all commercial pesticides to be approved by the EPA for general or restricted use. |
| National Federal Wildlife Refuge System (1903) | "Established by Teddy Roosevelt First refuge - Pelican Island in FL 3/4 of the refuges are wetlands protecting migratory waterfowl -20% of US threatened/ endangered species have habitats in this system" |
| Lacey Act (1900) | "Prohibits transportation of live or dead animals or their parts across state boarders without a federal permit." |
| Endangered Species Act (1973, '82, '85, '88) | Authorizes the (NMFS) National Marine Fisheries Service to I.D. and list endangered and threatened species. - Authorizes the Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) to I.D. out list endangered/threatened species that are not under the authority of the NMFS. - These species cannot be hinted, killed, collected, or injured in the U.S. (Over 1,000 animals on the list, with approx. 700 animals outside of the U.S.) Designate and protect critical habitat Habitat Conservation Plans – landowners, developers, loggers are allowed to destroy some habitat and/or some endangered or threatened species in exchange for taking steps to that species |
| Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act (1934) | Required waterfowl hunters to buy a federal duck-hunting license. Sale of these permits goes to waterfowl research and purchasing of land for waterfowl refuges. |
| Wilderness Act (1964) | To preserve large expanses of pristine lands |
| Taylor Grazing Act (1943) | Permit required and fees for use of federal grazing lands. Limits on number of livestock that could be grazed. |
| Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (1977) | Requires reclamation of lands mined Tax on mining companies to restore land damaged prior to the law being passed |
| Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (1968) | Preservation of and no development of certain rivers. |
| International Acts | Antarctic Treaty, CITES Treaty, 1975, Kyoto Conference, 1997, Montreal Protocol, 1987,Rio Earth Summit, 1992, UN Conference on the Human Environment, Stockholm, 1972, |
| Energy Policy Act (1992) | Extends tax benefits to solar and wind energy industries. Provides a subsidy ($.015 per. Kwh) to utilities for electricity provided by using renewable resources. Requires 75% of federally purchased cars and light trucks run on fuels such as natural gas, propane, ethanol, or, methanol. -Prohibits oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, among others. |
| Characteristics of Extinction-Prone Species | Low reproduction rate, Specialized feeding habits, Feed at high trophic levels, Large size, Limited or specialized nesting or breeding areas, Found in only one place or region, Fixed migratory patterns, Preys on livestock or people, Behavior patterns |
| Endangered/Threatened | Giant Panda, Florida Manatee, Presido Manzanita, Black-footed ferret, Kangaroo Rat, Florida Panther, Sand Verbena, Bladder Pod, Torreya, Monk Seal, Northern Spotted Owl, Red Wolf, Wyoming Toad, Gopher Tortoise, Black Rhino, California Condor, Boulder Darter Scrub Mint, American Burying Beetle, Piping Plover, Florida Key Deer, Grizzly Bear, Chinook Salmon, Arizona Agave, Oahu Tree Snail, Greenback Cutthroat Trout, Hawksbill Sea Turtle, Wood Stork, Ocelot, American Crocodile, Green Pitcher Plant, black rhinoceros Indicator, Most Songbirds (e.g. Warblers), Amphibians (Frogs, Salamanders), Lichens, Aquatic macro invertebrates (Aquatic macro invertebrates differ in their sensitivity to water pollution) |
| Keystone | Alligator, Wolf, Prairie Dog, Fig Trees, Plankton, Kelp/Sea Otters, Mycorrhizae Fungi. |
| Pests | Gypsy Moth, European Red Mite, Boll Weevil, tobacco Horn worm, Grasshopper (Locust), Pink Bullworm, Brown Plant hoppers, Aphids, Screwworm flies, cottony cushion scale, Anopheles mosquito, caterpillars |
| Introduced/Non-Native | Kudzu, Water Hyacinth, Purple Loosestrife, Rabbits in Australia, Argentine Fire Ants, European wild Boar. Dutch Elm Disease (Fungus), Zebra Mussel, Quagga Mussel, Melaleuca, Brazilian Pepper, Bufo marinas (cane toads). |
| Interactions | Interspecific Competition, Predation, Parasitism, Mutualism, Commensalism, Interference Competition, Exploitation Competition, Competitive Exclusion, Resource Partitioning, Realized Niche, Fundamental Niche, Predator-Prey Relationship (in food chain or web arrows go from the source to the eater) |
| Biological Control of Pest Species | Wasps, Beetles (Lady Beetles, Lady Bugs), Vedalia Beetle Larva, Praying mantises, Bacillius thuringiensis. |
| Antarctic Treaty | Treaty that mandates in the interests of all mankind that Antarctica shall continue forever to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and shall not become the scene or object of international discord. It prohibits military activity, except in support of science; prohibits nuclear explosions and the disposal of nuclear waste; promotes scientific research and the exchange of data; and holds all territorial claims in abeyance. The Treaty applies to the area south of 60¡ South Latitude, including all ice shelves and islands. The original Parties to the Treaty were the 12 nations active in the Antarctic during the International Geophysical Year of 1957-58. The Treaty was signed in Washington on 1 December 1959 and entered into force on 23 June 1961. |
| r | many small offspring, little or no parental care or protection of offspring, early reproductive age, most offspring die, small adults, adapted to unstable climate, high population growth rate, population size fluctuates wildly above and below , generalist niche, low ability to compete, early successional species |
| K | fewer, larger offspring, high parental care, later reproductive age, most offspring survive, larger adults, adapted to stable climate, lower population growth rate, population fairly stable, specialist niche, high ability to compete, late successional species |
| Delany Clause | A section of the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1958. States that no additive will be deemed safe if it is found to induce cancer when ingested by man or animal, and directs FDA not to approve such food additives. Its language has been interpreted to mean a zero risk standard for any cancer-causing food additive, including residues from pesticides found in processed foods. |
| CITES treaty Convention on International Trade In Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora | Treaty that was negotiated and set into action in 1975,The treaty countries have agreed together to control or prohibit trade in over 40,000 species of animals and plants, depending on the level of the threat to their survival. CITES' long-term objective is rational and sustainable conservation of the Earth's living resources for their own sake and human benefit. CITES is the keystone of U.S. international wildlife resources conservation policy, and is strongly supported by the legitimate wildlife trade as well as by a wide range of non-governmental organizations. |
| The Earth Summit | United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) |
| Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (Biosafety Protocol) | Adopted in January 2000. This pursued protection of biological diversity from the potential risks posed by living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology. Requires that products from new technologies must be based on the precautionary principle and allow developing nations to balance public health against economic benefits. It will for example let countries ban imports of a genetically modified organism if they feel there is not enough scientific evidence the product is safe and requires exporters to label shipments containing genetically altered commodities such as corn or cotton. |
| Convention on Biological Diversity (Biodiversity Convention) | An international treaty that was adopted in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992. Three main goals: 1. conservation of biological diversity (or biodiversity);2. sustainable use of its components; and3. fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources. |
| Emissions trading | Allows countries that have emission units to spare (emissions permitted them but not |
| removal unit (RMU) | on the basis of land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) activities such as reforestation. These removal units can used to offset actual emissions units can be traded and sold under the Kyoto Protocol's emissions |
| emission reduction unit (ERU) | generated by a joint implementation project actual emissions units reduced can be used to offset actual emissions units that can be traded and sold under the Kyoto Protocol's emissions |
| certified emission reduction (CER) | generated from a clean development mechanism project activity actual emissions units can be used to offset actual emissions units that can be traded and sold under the Kyoto Protocol's emissions |
| Montreal Protocol | An international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of a number of substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion. If the international agreement is adhered to, the ozone layer is expected to recover by 2050. |
| Joint Implementation | The mechanism allows a country with an emission reduction or limitation commitment under the Kyoto Protocol (Annex B Party) to earn emission reduction units (ERUs) from an emission-reduction or emission removal project in another Annex B Party, each equivalent to one ton of CO2, which can be counted towards meeting its Kyoto target. This mechanism offers parties a flexible and cost-efficient means of fulfilling a part of their Kyoto commitments, while the host Party benefits from foreign investment and technology transfer. Projects must provide a reduction in emissions by sources, or an enhancement of removals by sinks, that is additional to what would otherwise have occurred. Projects must have approval of the host Party and participants have to be authorized to participate by a Party involved in the project. Clean development mechanism, |
| United Nations Conference on the Human Environment | An international conference convened under United Nations auspices held in Stockholm, Sweden from June 5-16,1972. It was the UN's first major conference on international environmental issues, and marked a turning point in the development of international environmental politics |
| Kyoto Protocol | An international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Sets binding targets for 37 industrialized countries and the European community for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions .These amount to an average of five per cent against 1990 levels over the five-year period 2008-2012. Recognized that developed countries are principally responsible for the current high levels of GHG emissions in the atmosphere as a result of more than 150 years of industrial activity, places a heavier burden on developed nations under the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. |
| Kyoto Convention | Encouraged industrialized countries to stabilize GHG emissions |
| Kyoto mechanisms | Emissions trading - known as the carbon market uses Clean development mechanism (CDM), andJoint implementation (JI). |
| Emergency Planning & Community Right-to-Know Act | "Authorized by Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) was enacted by Congress as the national legislation on community safety. This law is designed to help local communities protect public health |
| Atomic Energy Act | Promotes the utilization of atomic energy for peaceful purposes to the maximum extent consistent with the common defense and security and with the health and safety of the public. EPA also received the authority under the AEA: to develop guidance for federal and state agencies containing recommendations for their use in developing radiation protection requirements. and to work with states to establish and execute radiation protection programs. |
| Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations 1994 | Purpose to identify and address the disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects of their actions on minority and low-income populations, to the greatest extent practicable and permitted by law. The order also directs each agency to develop a strategy for implementing environmental justice. The order is also intended to promote nondiscrimination in federal programs that affect human health and the environment, as well as provide minority and low-income communities access to public information and public participation. |
| Energy Policy Act 2005 | Addresses energy production in the United States, including: (1) energy efficiency; (2) renewable energy; (3) oil and gas; (4) coal; (5) Tribal energy; (6) nuclear matters and security; (7) vehicles and motor fuels, including ethanol; (8) hydrogen; (9) electricity; (10) energy tax incentives; (11) hydropower and geothermal energy; and (12) climate change technology. the Act provides loan guarantees for entities that develop or use innovative technologies that avoid the by-production of greenhouse gases. |
