Which level of government is typically involved in implementing environmental policy?

Which level of government is typically involved in implementing environmental policy?

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( LockA locked padlock) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

    • Environmental Topics
    • Air
    • Bed Bugs
    • Chemicals and Toxics
    • Climate Change
    • Emergency Response
    • Environmental Information by Location
    • Environmental Justice
    • Greener Living
    • Health
    • Land, Waste, and Cleanup
    • Lead
    • Mold
    • Pesticides
    • Radon
    • Science Topics
    • Water Topics
    • A-Z Topic Index
    • Laws & Regulations
    • By Business Sector
    • By Topic
    • Compliance
    • Enforcement
    • Guidance
    • Laws and Executive Orders
    • Regulations
    • Report a Violation
    • Environmental Violations
    • Fraud, Waste or Abuse
    • About EPA
    • EPA Administrator
    • Organization Chart
    • Staff Directory
    • Planning, Budget, and Results
    • Jobs and Internships
    • Headquarters Offices
    • Regional Offices
    • Lab and Research Centers

A number of laws serve as EPA's foundation for protecting the environment and public health. However, most laws do not have enough detail to be put into practice right away.

EPA is called a regulatory agency because Congress authorizes us to write regulations that explain the critical details necessary to implement environmental laws. In addition, a number of Presidential Executive Orders (EOs) play a central role in our activities. 

  • Summaries of environmental laws and Executive Orders (EOs)
  • Summaries of laws and Executive Orders (EOs) that influence EPA's regulatory process

Summaries of environmental laws and EOs

The following laws and EOs help to protect human health and the environment. EPA is charged with administering all or a part of each.

  • Atomic Energy Act (AEA)
  • Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act
  • Chemical Safety Information, Site Security and Fuels Regulatory Relief Act
  • Clean Air Act (CAA)
  • Clean Water Act (CWA) (original title: Federal Water Pollution Control Amendments of 1972)
  • Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA, or Superfund)
  • Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)
  • Endangered Species Act (ESA)
  • Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA)
  • Energy Policy Act
  • EO 12898: Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations
  • EO 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks
  • EO 13211: Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use
  • Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA)
  • Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
  • Federal Water Pollution Control Amendments - See Clean Water Act
  • Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) - See also FFDCA and FIFRA
  • Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA, also known as the Ocean Dumping Act)
  • National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
  • National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA)
  • Noise Control Act
  • Nuclear Waste Policy Act (NWPA)
  • Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA)
  • Ocean Dumping Act - See Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act
  • Oil Pollution Act (OPA)
  • Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA) - See FIFRA
  • Pollution Prevention Act (PPA)
  • Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
  • Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
  • Shore Protection Act (SPA)
  • Superfund - See Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
  • Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) - See Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
  • Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

Summaries of laws and EOs that influence the regulatory process

The following laws and EOs help to protect human health and the environment. EPA is charged with administering all or a part of each.

  • Administrative Procedure Act (APA)
  • Congressional Review Act (CRA)
  • EO 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review
  • EO 13132: Federalism
  • EO 13175: Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments
  • EO 13563: Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review - See EO 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review
  • EO 13859: Maintaining American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence
  • Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA)
  • Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
  • Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)
  • Privacy Act
  • Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)
  • Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) - See Regulatory Flexibility Act
  • Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)

  • By Business Sector
  • By Topic
  • Compliance
  • Enforcement
  • Guidance
  • Laws & Executive Orders
  • Regulations

Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.

Last updated on July 27, 2022

Which branch of government is responsible for the environment?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for the protection of human health and the environment.

What level of government is responsible for environmental hazards?

EPA plays an important and unique role in keeping our environment clean, although most of the heavy lifting in American environmental protection is done by state and local governments.

What is the government environmental policy?

environmental policy, any measure by a government or corporation or other public or private organization regarding the effects of human activities on the environment, particularly those measures that are designed to prevent or reduce harmful effects of human activities on ecosystems.

What is environmental policy implementation?

Environmental policies. involve certain measures aimed at achieving a sound environment. They are usually developed in the context of. public policy, based on economic theory, which focuses more on the level of costs and benefits associated with the.