Summary of Federal Laws

 

Environmental Laws

 

General Environmental Compliance Information

See 65 Fed. Reg. 19,617 (Apr. 11, 2000) for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA's) final policy on "Incentives for Self-Policing: Discovery, Disclosure, Correction and Prevention of Violations," commonly referred to as the "Audit Policy."  The Audit Policy encourages regulated entities to voluntarily discover, promptly disclose and expeditiously correct violations of federal environmental requirements.  The policy is effective May 11, 2000 and extends the disclosure deadline for violations from 10 to 21 days after discovery.  The university must discover the violation on its own, rather than through an EPA investigation.  The policy does not apply where violations may cause imminent and substantial endangerment or serious harm.

 

EPA Compliance and Enforcement Page

 

EPA Compliance Incentives

 

EPA College and University Compliance Page: Region 2

 

General Web sites that provide useful information on regulatory requirements are the following:
Environmental links from Beveridge & Diamond, P.C., an environmental law firm.
The Toxic Use Reduction Institute Site
The Harvard University Environmental Health and Safety homepage

EPA's summary of laws, regulations and proposed regulations on the environment

Pollution Prevention at Colleges/Universities (United States Environmental Protection Agency's webpage)

 

New page 5/25/00
Updated 8/24/00 (added link to EPA enforcement alert)
Updated 11/14/00 (added ACE link)
updated 6/7/01 to add link to earthlinks
updated 4/23/02 to add EPA link
links updated 6/18/08 rab
CFR updated 11/3/08 RAB