Numerous Federal laws have been enacted to protect the environment and wildlife. Environmental protection laws protect the safety and well-being of communities from excessive and unneccary emission of environmental pollutants and wildlife laws protect endangered or threatented species s well as migratory birds.
As part of the framework of environmental laws and regulations, the EPA has identified more than 700 substances as hazardous to the environment. Other substances through not hazardous, may otherwise be considered environmental pollutants if discharged into the Nation's waterways. The U.S. Departments of the Interior and the Commerce have identified more than 1,500 species of wildlife as endangered or threatened.
During 1997, U.S. attorneys initiated criminal investigations involving violations of environmental law against 952 suspects - 47% for an environmental protection offense and 53% for a wildlife offense.
Environmental protection acts
Clean Air Act - to prevent the deterioration of the air (42 U.S.C. Section 7401-7491)
Clear Water Act - to regultae the souces of water pollution (33 U.S.C. Section 1251-1376)
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability (CERCLA) - to address the problem of abandoned hazardous waste sites (42 U.S.C. Section 9601-9675)
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) - to protect human health and the environment from dangers associated with waste management (42 U.S.C. Section 6901-6992)
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)- to regulate chemical substances in which the public or environment may become exposed (15 U.S.C. Section 2601-2671)
Act to Prevent Pollution by Ships (APPS) - to address the discharge of harmfull substances into the oceans (33 U.S.C. section 1901-1950)
Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) - to protect the environment from pollution (42 U.S.C. Section 11001-11050)
Wildlife acts
Endangered Species Act - to conserve the various species of fish, wildlife and plants facing extinction (16 U.S.C. Section 1531d)
Bald and golden Eagle Protection Act - to provide a program for the conservation of bald and golden eagles (16 U.S.C. Section 668)
Migratory Bird Treaty Act - to protect migratory birds during their nesting season (16 U.S.C. Section 707)
Lacey Act - to control the trade in of exotic fish, wildlife and plants into the U.S. (16 U.S.C. Section 3372)
Federal environmental enforcement actions initiated in 1997
Administrative 3,427
Civil 207
Criminal 446
Total 4,129
*data source: U.S. E.P.A.
Defendants charged with criminal violations 1994-97
Type of offense 1994 1995 1996 1997
Total 343 546 511 446
Environmental protection 127 234 203 211
APPS 0 12 8 2
Clean Air Act 19 36 40 31
Clean Water Act 52 88 97 108
RCRA 31 34 37 59
CERCLA 11 15 4 4
TSCA 6 6 12 6
Other 8 43 5 1
Wildlife 216 312 308 235
Bald & Golden Eagle 30 25 28 22
Endangered Species 30 48 43 25
Lacey 101 174 123 134
Migratory Bird Treaty 47 58 97 50
Other 8 7 17 4
*data source: Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, criminal master file, annual.