ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the history and evolution of United States environmental policies. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was the beginning of modern-day environmental policies within the United States. The Act establishes national environmental policy and goals for the protection, maintenance, and enhancements of the environment and provides a process for implementing these goals within the federal agencies. The NEPA process consists of an evaluation of the environmental effects of a federal undertaking including its alternatives. There are three levels of analysis: categorical exclusion determination, preparation of an environmental assessment/finding of no significant impact (EA/FONSI), and preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS). The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is the nation's primary law governing the disposal of solid and hazardous waste. RCRA banned all open dumping of waste, encouraged source reduction and recycling, and promoted the safe disposal of municipal waste.
