Water Quality Laws
Nina Evangelista
Clean Water Act
Clean and plentiful water provides the foundation for prosperous communities. We rely on clean water to survive, yet right now we are heading towards a water crisis. Changing climate patterns are threatening lakes and rivers, and key sources that we tap for drinking water are being overdrawn or tainted with pollution.
Originally drafted in 1977. Amendment years: 1977, 1981, and 1987. National-United States. Originally known as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.
The Clean Water Act went a long way in cleaning up our lakes and rivers, but there's still more to be done. You can help keep us on the path to cleaner water by taking on some of today's water pollution challenges.
Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972
The Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 encourages states to be responsible stewards of coastal land by implementing management programs. The Act was passed because by the 1970s, many of the nation's lakes, streams and rivers were so degraded that many were unable to support aquatic life. Federal law says states' coastal programs should include provisions:
- Protecting natural resources, including wetlands, flood plains, estuaries, beaches, dunes, barrier islands, coral reefs, fish and wildlife and their habitat.
- Managing coastal development to minimize the loss of life and property caused by improper development in flood-prone, storm surge, geological hazard and erosion-prone areas.
- Managing coastal development to improve, safeguard and restore the quality of coastal waters and to protect natural resources and existing uses of those waters.
- Increasing public access to the coasts for recreational purposes.
- Assisting the redevelopment of deteriorating urban waterfronts and ports.
- Assisting the preservation and restoration of historic, cultural, and aesthetic coastal features
Passage of the Coastal Zone Management Act focused attention on eradicating the major sources of water pollution.
Federal officials felt local and state control was the best way to correct pollution problems and environmental hazards. Therefore, the Act intentionally altered the balance between the federal government and the states, giving the power to the states. States with approved coastal management programs have the ability to review and object to federal activities, licenses and permits that would have otherwise been protected by federal supremacy expressed in the U.S. Constitution.
The Coastal Zone Management Act authorization was one of the few times in U.S. history where the federal government gave its supremacy to the states. This was and remains a clear indication of the importance of local input into effective coastal management programs.