Environmental Law

Environmental law addresses rules governing the natural world. Because of the effects of human intrusion upon the eco-system, it has been necessary for certain laws and guidelines to be set in order to protect our environment. Environmental law is concerned with such issues.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the U.S. government agency that enforces environmental laws. It also provides information and guidance to policy makers in Congress concerning control of pollution, research monitoring, standard setting, and enforcement activities. The Agency is also responsible for efforts in controlling waste disposal, ecological research, and watches over pesticide and radiation hazards.

The purpose of the EPA enactments was to watch over the environment and to prevent further harm to the eco-system. With close monitoring, research, and cooperation with the federal and local governments, the National Environmental protection Agency (NEPA, enacted in 1969) sees that governmental agencies consider the effects of their actions upon the environment.

Environmental law is also concerned with the rights of property owners as they seek to develop their property for specific uses. This includes certain building codes, zoning ordinances, and land use permits. Further, environmental law covers the Endangered Species Act.

When environmental disasters occur like the Exxon oil tanker grounding in 1989 that caused a major oil spill, it is a major environmental concern for the EPA. Other disasters of recent history have generated great public awareness. Some of these include the hazardous waste problem of the Love Canal in Niagara Falls, and the nuclear reactor accidents at the Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania and the Ukraine's Chernobyl in 1986. Concerns went well beyond the environment. It affected wildlife as well as human life, and the after-effects of what happened at Chernobyl still continue to this day.?

When an environmental disaster does occur, who pays for the monetary damages? Think of the Exxon oil mess and the monumental costs involved in that. A typical oil spill can cost over $20 million to clean up, but it was reported that the Exxon Valdez spill cost many times over that amount! It was the job of the EPA to locate all those who had any responsibility in that incident and then to help negotiate the costs for the clean-up work.?

When the EPA finds that there are violations in the law, there will certainly be fines and penalties to pay. Claiming that you purchased property and were unaware that there were hazardous materials on the premises will not exclude you from the responsibility as the owner of the facility, for example. It is important to do your homework and hire the necessary specialists to inspect for asbestos, lead-based paints, and other hazardous materials before purchasing any property you may be interested in.?

Not only can environmental contamination have an adverse affect upon our eco-system, but it can affect our health and quality of life, as well. Environmental law attorneys not only represent those who need legal counsel regarding the laws and regulations set forth by the governmental agencies such as the EPA, but these lawyers also represent those pursuing damages when they have suffered the consequences of someone else's disregard of these laws. For further information on this subject, contact an environmental law attorney in the Internet Lawyer Directory.