How are environmental laws enforced?
California’s environmental laws are enforced by a matrix of state and local agencies, each charged with enforcing the laws governing a specific media such as air, water, hazardous waste, solid waste, and pesticide laws.
Who enforces the laws that protect the environment?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) creates and enforces laws designed to protect the environment and human health. 4 As part of their mission, they seek to ensure that Americans have a clean environment, including the air, water, and land they use and enjoy.
What is enforcement of environmental legislation?
For environmental legislation to be successfully implemented there has to be an effective agency to collect relevant data, process it and pass it on to a law enforcement agency. Some of the pollution monitoring is carried out by other agencies, e.g., vehicular pollution is monitored by transport department.
Why is it important to have environmental laws that are enforceable?
Environmental law works to protect land, air, water, and soil. Negligence of these laws results in various punishments like fines, community service, and in some extreme cases, jail time. Without these environmental laws, the government would not be able to punish those who treat the environment poorly.
Can the EPA enforce laws?
EPA has explicit authority to enforce the law and assess fines at federal facilities violating environmental statutes including the: Clean Air Act. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
What are the punishment under the EPA?
(1) Whoever fails to comply with or contravenes any of the provisions of this Act, or the rules made or orders or directions issued thereunder, shall, in respect of each such failure or contravention, be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years or with fine which may extend to one lakh …
What is Nigeria environmental law?
The NESREA, the major federal body responsible for protecting Nigeria’s environment is responsible for enforcing all environmental laws, regulations, guidelines, and standards. This law prohibits the carrying, depositing and dumping of harmful waste on land and in territorial waters.
What is the national environmental policy of Nigeria?
The basis of environmental policy in Nigeria is contained in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Pursuant to section 20 of the Constitution, the State is empowered to protect and improve the environment and safeguard the water, air and land, forest and wildlife of Nigeria.
How is NESREA a major environmental regulatory agency?
NESREA as a major environmental regulatory agency should be made an autonomous agency, like the defunct FEPA, instead of a department under the Ministry of Environment which will invariably create undue bureaucracy in its enforcement function. Keywords: Environmental Law, Environmental Regulation, Enforcement.
Where can I find the regulations of NESREA?
NESREA Regulations are now available for download. Visit Laws and Regulations Page A facility in Kaduna sealed for environmental violation by NESREA Officers
How are environmental laws related to commercial activities?
At the very edge of the penumbra, are laws designed to protect and enhance people’s commercial activities such as those relating to carriage of goods by road, rail, and sea. These, although not generally thought of in any sense as environmental law, can have profound impact on the protection and enjoyment of the natural resources.