The 1977 act bolstered the environmental protection agencys epa. Citizen suits are particularly common in the field of environmental law. Epa press release february 2, 1988 25th anniversary of the clean water act. The federal water pollution control act was passed to address the concerns surrounding water pollution and contaminants. Laws acquire popular names as they make their way through congress.
In this case, the supreme court held that a citizen may not bring suit under the clean water act for a wholly past violation of the clean water. Sustainability trends reducing emissions at airports pdf. The toxic pollutant list was developed in 1976 and subsequently added to the clean water act by congress in 1977. Clean water act became the acts common name through amendments in 1977. The protection and restoration program focuses on the clean water act because the act truly embraces in fact relies on active citizen participation. The clean water act of 1977 has fulfilled that promiseand it also maintains the original promise of the clean water for the american people. The clean water act regulates where pollution is released in to. You may need a pdf reader to view some of the files on this page. It gave epa the authority to implement pollution control programs such as setting wastewater standards for industry. The act does not deal directly with ground water or with water quantity issues.
When congress debated the 1972 amendments to the federal water pollution control act, midcourse corrections were promised. Clean water act became the act s common name through amendments in 1977. Clayton barnett cwa of 1977 this act was thought of in 1972 and officially amended in 1977. The list was intended to be used by epa and states as a starting point to ensure that effluent guidelines regulations, water quality criteria and standards, and npdes permit requirements addressed the problems of toxics in waterways.
Clean water act of 1977 research paper clean water act. Pdf of cwa 234 pp, 1 mb you may need a pdf reader to view some of the files on this page. Watershed academy web introduction to the clean water act. An original bill to amend the federal water pollution control act amendments of 1972.
Some of these pollutants controlled by the clean water act of 1977 include. Sep 20, 2012 in 1948 and was called the federal water pollution control act, but the act was significantly reorganized and expanded in 1972. As a result of intense educational efforts by the scientific. The clean water act cwa of 1972 is federal legislation governing water pollution.
The clean water act addressed a classic externality. The cwa outlawed the discharge of any pollutant from a point source into navigable waters unless a permit was obtained. The federal water pollution control act amendments of 1961 p. A summary of the law congressional research service 1 introduction the principal law governing pollution of the nation3s surface waters is the federal water pollution control act, or clean water act. A summary of the law congressional research service 1 introduction the principal law governing pollution of the nations surface waters is the federal water pollution control act, or clean water act.
Clean water act of 1977 legislative history this link opens in a new window this takes you to an advanced search form in lexis advance that allows you to search through a cis prepared legislative history on the cwa of 1977. The strongest defense to a clean water act lawsuit is that articulated by the supreme court in gwaltney of smithfield v. The cwas goal is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nations waters. The 1977 clean water act continues the national goal of eliminating the discharge of pollutants into our water. The clean water act is a water pollutioncontrol measure, which was passed as the federal water pollution control act in 1972. Clean water act any addition of any pollutant from a point source. A summary of the law summary the principal law governing pollution of the nations surface waters is the federal water pollution control act, or clean water act. The amendments to the act took two years of hard work by congress to develop. Moreau professor, department of city and regional planning university of north carolina at chapel hill introduction the federal water pollution control act amendments of 1972 pl 92500, with modest changes in 1977, 1982, and 1987, has been the framework for water pollution. Introduction to the clean water act the clean water act cwa is the cornerstone of surface water quality protection in the united states. These questions need to be answered in the research report. When congress was debating the 1972 act, they realized that corrections would need to be made as once the law went into effect when it became clear what worked and what did not. Environmental protection agency epa, which sets water quality standards, handles enforcement, and helps state and local governments develop their own pollution.
The clean water act cwa is the primary federal law in the united states governing water pollution. Growing public awareness and concern for controlling water pollution led to enactment of the federal water pollution control act amendments of 1972. History of the clean water act american water college. Page 2 why we need the clean water rule mud lake, which are reportedly stocked with perch5 and home to more than a dozen types of ducks. A major step in assuring the quality of the nations waters lawrence r.
It served as a major revision of the federal water pollution control act of. The statute employs a variety of regulatory and nonregulatory tools to sharply reduce direct pollutant discharges into. Established the basic structure for regulating pollutants discharges into the waters of the united states. Because the clean water act is such an important tool, here we provide you with links to the full text of this critical law. This act provides a comprehensive system for the regulation of pollutants in the waters of the united states with the objective of restoring and maintaining the.
Amendment to the federal water pollution control act of 1972 research paper directions. Point sources are distinct conveyances such as pipes or manmade ditches. The clean water act consists of sections numbered 1 through 78, nearly all of which amend specific sections of the fwpca. Clean water act became the act s common name with amendments in 1977. Clean water act title iv sections 401 406 clean water act title v sections 501 519 clean water act title vi sections 601 607 miscellaneous references. Consequences of the clean water act and by david a. The act established the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the united states. However, it was not until the major 1972 amendments that a new federal government. After the clean water act passed, other amendments to this law passed. Technical guidance manual for the regulations promulgated. Modernization of the clean water act is long overdue neiwpcc.
The clean water act also continued requirements to set water quality. Major amendments were enacted in 1961, 1966, 1970, 1972, 1977, and 1987. Clean water act became the acts common name with amendments in 1977. The act says pollutants may not be released into accessible waters unless you have obtained a permit. Originally enacted in 1948, it was totally revised by amendments in 1972 that gave the act. By 1972, congress had voted on an amended version of the law that included the expansion of regulations to prevent pollution of the nations waterways. The act does not deal directly with ground water nor with water quantity issues. National pollutant discharge elimination system npdes. The clean water act of 1977 744 words 3 pages as swans drift with the current on a secluded lake in upper canada they think not of the water they are in but of dreams of the past and wants for the future. Clean water act sought \to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nations waters. Water and wastewater moore 43 water quality water quality encompasses various characteristics of water, from taste, and color to temperature and purity. Its objective is to restore and maintain the chemical. Clean water act the federal water pollution control act amendments of 1972, commonly referred to as the clean water act, is one of the most important and farreaching environmental statutes ever passed by the u. More than seventy changes were made in the existing law.
The clean water act 1977,1981,1987 by madison paige on prezi. Cwa of 1977 this act was thought of in 1972 and officially amended in 1977. Introduction to the clean water act1 the clean water act cwa is the cornerstone of surface water quality protection in the united states. Clean air act amendments of 1977 employment law group. Born from a river of fire, the act has undergone many changes over the years and likely faces many more. The 1977 amendments to the clean air act prohibit employers from discharging or otherwise discriminating against any employee because the employee 1 commenced or is about to commence a proceeding under the caa or a proceeding for the administration or enforcement of any requirement imposed by the caa.
Water act required all municipal treatment plants to have at least secondary treatment by 1977. On november 15, 1990, president bush signed into law the clean air act amendments of 1990, the first comprehensive changes to the act in years. At its top level, it divides the world of legislation into fifty topicallyorganized titles, and each title is further subdivided into any number of logical subtopics. In this lesson, students consider how the clean water act of 1972 became a law. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of. The clean water act, with the new toxics provisions of 1977, provides controls over dispersal into the nations waters of those toxic substances which continue in use and the resource conservation and recovery act of 1976 provides similar controls over disposition of toxicsladen solid wastes, including municipal sewage sludge. The meaning of the 1977 clean water act about epa us epa. Summary of the clean water amendments of 1977 from. But we have reached an important turning point in our struggle for clean water.
Indefinitely postponed in senate 0804 1977 measure indefinitely postponed in senate, h. Its objective is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nations waters. The clean water act cwa, enacted on october 18, 1972, brought forth many changes in. Browner, october 17, 1997 epa summary of clean water act. Originally enacted in 1948, it was totally revised by amendments in 1972 that gave the act its current shape. A summary of the law introduction the principal law governing pollution of the nations surface waters is the federal water pollution control act, or clean water act. The official text of the cwa is available in the united states code from the us government printing office.
She is the author of the clean water act and the constitution eli 2004. The clean water act cwa passed in 1977 and acts as an amendment to the federal water pollution control act of 1972. The federal water pollution control act as in effect immediately prior to the date of enactment of this act oct. Epa journal julyaugust 1978 epa announces guidance on state revolving funds for sewage treatment. In the united states, a citizen suit is a lawsuit by a private citizen to enforce a statute. In this twopage typed report, you will investigate the clean water act of 1977. Over time, the act was significantly reorganized and expanded and in 1972 became known as the clean water act. Administrator deputy administrator assistant administrators office directors regional administrators attached is a surnnary of the clean water act of 1977, p. Clean water act of 1977 the epa estimates that public and. Legislative history clean water act legal research. The clean water act of 1977 controlled the environmental protection agency, and made them enforce these rules on the public, and the many industrial corporations that contributed to this pollution. However, in 1972, public awareness and concern for. Before the clean water act cwa, however, the federal water pollution control act of 1948 was the nations first major movement to address water pollution in the united states.
Sometimes these names say something about the substance of the law as with the 2002 winter olympic commemorative coin act. Be it enacted hy the senate and house of representatives of the clean water act united states of america in congress assembled, that this act may. Introduction to the clean water act watershed academy web. Clean water rule and the 1977 regulations the agencies want to repromulgate each defines the waters of the united states protected by the clean water act. First, a private citizen can bring a lawsuit against a citizen, corporation, or government body for engaging in conduct prohibited by the statute. A citizen may file a lawsuit to obtain compliance with an emission standard issued. Most enhance the ability of the administrator of the environmental protection agency to deal with complex water pollution problems. Amendments to title i amends the federal water pollution control act the clean water act to authorize appropriations for fy 1983 through 1990 for. Garbage, sewage, radioactive waste, chemical waste, and industrial waste. As amended in 1977, this law became commonly known as the clean water act. A summary of the law congressional research service summary the principal law governing pollution of the nations surface waters is the federal water pollution control act, or clean water act. Consequences of the clean water act and the demand for water.
Evolution of the meaning of waters of the united states. The national pollutant discharge elimination system controls those who have permits to release waste into water. The clean water act of 1977 reflects a broad congressional consensus that the 1972 legislation was essentially sound, and that with appropriate fine tuning it should be continued without interruption. The first version of the cwa was passed in 1948 under president truman. This paper quanti es changes in water pollution since before 1972, studies the causes of any changes, and analyzes the welfare consequences of any changes. Clean water act jurisdictional wetlands wetlands or other waters that are subject to federal control are referred to as jurisdictional waters because they are within the regulatory jurisdiction of federal law. The united states code is meant to be an organized, logical compilation of the laws passed by congress.
The clean water act of 1977 was meant to adjust and enhance some of the requirements of the 1972 act. The clean water act cwa1 regulations provide a set of definitions identifying physical standards used to determine what geo. The key objective of the clean water act of 1977 is to further americas goal of eliminating the discharge of pollutants into its navigable waters. But what if congress were to resolve the question of intent once and for all by again amending the clean water act, this time to make clear that it intends to protect the nations. Toxic and priority pollutants under the clean water act. It is a national amendment and the functions of the clean water act of 1977 are. Californias portercologne water quality control act and the federal clean water act differ in. The cwa made it unlawful to discharge any pollutant from a point source into navigable waters, unless a permit authorized under the cwa was obtained.
Midcourse corrections in the section 404 program wetlands have increasingly become the focal point in the epas efforts to define the jurisdiction and scope of coverage of the section 404 regulatory program. Passed in 1972 and amended in 1977 and 1987, the clean water act was originally known as the federal water pollution control act. The clean water act cwa as we know it has a longer history than you might think. Attorney generals of new york, california, maine, maryland. Wastewater operator certification manual february 2020 disclaimer this document, the wastewater operator certification manual, is compiled by the indiana department of environmental management idem. It provides for the maintenance of the chemical, physical and biological integrity of nations waters. Liebesman is an attorney with the harker law firm in washington, d. In promulgating the clean water rule the agencies considered an extensive factual record and legal precedent, and applied. The basis of the cwa was enacted in 1948 and was called the federal water pollution control act. The clean water act cwa establishes the basic structure for regulating. The federal water pollution control act, commonly known as the clean water act was originally passed in 1948.
Originally enacted in 1948, it was totally revised by amendments in 1972 that gave the act its current dimensions. The issue of which waters are protected by the clean water act is. Use it or lose it clean water act 101 hank graddy sierra sentinels july 10, 2017. Clean water act issues the clean water act in retrospect david h. Compilation of water quality goals numerical water quality limits from the literature for over 850 chemical constituents and water. Federal water pollution control act clean water act. We use the most comprehensive set of files ever compiled on water pollution and its. Evolution of the meaning of waters of the united states in the clean water act congressional research service 2 debate resurfaced most recently in may 2015 when the corps and epa issued a rule, known as the clean water rule, which substantially redefined waters of the united states in the agencies.
History and structure of the clean air act theodore l. The cwa was a response to increasing public concern for the environment and for the condition of the nations waters. The clean air act amendments of 1977 required prevention of significant. Some states have chosen to develop ground water quality standards mentioned in slide 6 or water quality standards that. Oct 04, 2016 the clean water act of 1977 has fulfilled that promiseand it also maintains the original promise of the clean water for the american people.
486 1281 1262 319 753 769 83 311 367 565 1176 1111 1130 95 1093 853 752 893 432 1046 195 1119 1278 1442 267 348 793 241 73 59 207 1226 841