Environmental laws set the rules that protect air, water, land, and wildlife while guiding how government and businesses make decisions that affect public health and natural resources.
Major protections
Congress has created laws that limit air and water pollution, regulate toxic chemicals and pesticides, require cleanup of contaminated sites, and protect endangered species and public lands. These laws give federal agencies the authority to set standards, issue permits, and enforce penalties to prevent and fix environmental harm.
How projects are reviewed
Federal projects and permits often require environmental review to weigh impacts and consider alternatives; the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) directs that process and builds in public participation—see how NEPA reviews shape federal projects in your community by ensuring decisions account for ecosystems, water quality, wildlife, and human health.
Who enforces the rules
The Environmental Protection Agency and other federal agencies implement and enforce these laws, often working with states, tribes, and local governments to monitor pollution, run cleanup programs, and provide ways for the public to report problems or participate in decisions.
An Independent Team to Decode Government
GovFacts is a nonpartisan site focused on making government concepts and policies easier to understand — and programs easier to access.
Our articles are referenced by .gov and .mil websites as well as trusted think tanks and publications including Brookings, CNN, Forbes, Fox News, Pew Research, Snopes, The Hill, and USA Today.
