Planning for Place-Based Education

Environmental Policy in the United States (overview of many policies from Ballotpedia website)

Clean Air Act Summary (The Clean Air Act (CAA) is the comprehensive federal law that regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources. Among other things, this law authorizes EPA to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to protect public health and public welfare and to regulate emissions of hazardous air pollutants.)

Clean Water Act (Congress passed the Clean Water Act in 1972, setting forth the goal of restoring and maintaining the nation’s waters in order to protect fish and wildlife and safeguard health, safety and enjoyment for people.)

Endangered Species Act Summary (The Endangered Species Act (ESA) provides a program for the conservation of threatened and endangered plants and animals and the habitats in which they are found.)

Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) was first signed in 1972 to coordinate the actions of Canada and the United States.)

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (accelerates efforts to protect and restore the largest system of fresh surface water in the world – the Great Lakes.)

Safe Drinking Water Act: Understanding the SDWA ( was originally passed by Congress in 1974 to protect public health by regulating the nation’s public drinking water supply. )