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Clean Air Act (CAA)
Under the Clean Air Act (CAA), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) sets limits on how much of a pollutant is allowed in the air anywhere in the United States. Although the 1990 Clean Air Act is a federal law covering the entire country, the states do much of the work to carry out the Act. For example, a state air pollution agency holds a hearing on a permit application by a power or chemical plant or fines a company for violating air pollution limits. For more information on the Clean Air Act click on the following links to get an easy-to-follow breakdown of the CAA, and to navigate through the Act section by section:

The Plain English Guide to the Clean Air Act
http://www.epa.gov/oar/oaqps/peg_caa/pegcaain.html
Clean Air Act Table of Contents
http://www.epa.gov/oar/caa/contents.html

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Clean Water Act (CWA)
Formerly known as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972, this law became commonly known as the Clean Water Act (CWA) when it was further amended in 1977. The Act established the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States. Click on the following link to learn about the history of the CWA and to navigate through the Act section by section:

EPA Major Environmental Law, Clean Water Act
http://www.epa.gov/region5/water/cwa.htm

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Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)
The President's Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) was established within the Executive Office by Congress as part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. The CEQ coordinates federal environmental efforts and works closely with other agencies in the development of environmental policy and initiatives. CEQ reports annually to the President on the state of the environment; oversees Federal agency implementation of the environmental impact assessment process; and acts as a referee when agencies disagree over the adequacy of such assessments.

Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Home Page
http://www.whitehouse.gov/ceq/

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Endangered Species Act (ESA)
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 was passed in order to conserve and restore listed species and to conserve the habitats on which they depend. Under the Act, species may be listed as either endangered, any species which is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range, or threatened, any species which is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range. The law is jointly administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). For more information about the ESA visit the USFWS Endangered Species Program website at the link below:

The Endangered Species Program Homepage, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
http://endangered.fws.gov/

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Farm Service Agency (FSA)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency (FSA) works to stabilize farm income, help farmers conserve land and water resources, provide credit to new or disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and help farm operations recover from the effects of disaster. Click on the following link to go to Farm Service Agency Online:

Farm Service Agency Online
http://www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/default.asp

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Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation and is responsible for the safety of civil aviation. FAA engages in a number of different activities related to air travel, including safety regulation, air space and air traffic management, air navigation facilities, and many other programs. For more information about FAA, including a summary of FAA activities, recent highlights, news and updates, fast answers to frequently asked questions, and more, go to:

Federal Aviation Administration Homepage
http://www2.faa.gov/

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Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is responsible for responding to, planning for, recovering from and mitigating against disasters. FEMA also maintains and updates the National Flood Insurance Program maps that depict floodplains throughout the country. FEMA was a former independent agency that became part of the newly created Department of Homeland Security in March 2003. To learn more about FEMA, visit them on the web, at:

Federal Emergency Management Agency Homepage
http://www.fema.gov/

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Forest Preserve District of Will County (FPDWC)
The mission of the Forest Preserve District of Will County (FPDWC) is "to preserve and protect the natural and scenic beauties, and to restore, preserve, and protect the forests and prairies of Will County for the purpose of the education, pleasure, and recreation of its residents." FPDWC is responsible for overseeing all of the Illinois parks within Will County, and for visitor programming, maintenance, and management at those parks. For more information on FPDWC, including a list of parks and activities, contacts, and upcoming events, visit:

Forest Preserve District of Will County Homepage
http://www.fpdwc.org/

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Illinois Department of Agriculture
The Illinois Department of Agriculture's vision is "to promote and regulate agriculture in a manner which encourages farming and agribusiness while protecting Illinois' consumers and our natural resources." The Department is made up of separate bureaus that administer programs and services directed at conserving the state's land and water resources; protecting the health and welfare of livestock and companion animals; overseeing state and county fairs; regulating seed, feed and fertilizer products; ensuring the financial stability of grain dealers and warehouses; promoting Illinois food and agricultural products; and operating the state's horse racing programs. For more information about the Illinois Department of Agriculture, click on the link below:

Illinois Department of Agriculture Homepage
http://www.agr.state.il.us/

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Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)
The mission of IDNR is "to manage, protect and sustain Illinois' natural and cultural resources; provide resource-compatible recreational opportunities; and promote natural resource-related public safety, education, and science." The agency's responsibilities include issuing hunting and fishing licenses, managing the state's outdoor parks and recreation areas, and conducting scientific research to preserve the environment. For more information about IDNR, to find agency contacts, to purchase licenses, and more, follow the link below:

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Homepage
http://dnr.state.il.us/

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Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is responsible for maintaining the transportation system of the state of Illinois. This includes road and bridge construction, traffic safety, aeronautics, public transit, and more. For more information, visit IDOT on the web at the following link:

Illinois Department of Transportation Homepage
http://www.dot.il.gov/

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Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA)
The mission of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) is "to safeguard environmental quality so as to protect health, welfare, property and the quality of life." IEPA is divided into Air, Land and Water Bureaus, each with their own specific missions and associated projects. To learn more about IEPA and to read about current projects, click on the link below:

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Homepage
http://www.epa.state.il.us/

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Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC)
The Illinois Nature Preserves Commission (INPC) was created in 1963, making Illinois the first state to develop a comprehensive statewide program for permanently protecting ecologically important natural areas. INPC is governed by the Illinois Natural Areas Preservation Act and is responsible for preserving, protecting, and defending natural areas and endangered species habitat for the benefit of the public.

Illinois Nature Preserves Commission Homepage
http://dnr.state.il.us/inpc/

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National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has established National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six air pollutants: ozone, lead, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and particulate matter. Visit the USEPA Air website at the first link below for more information about air quality, and click on the second link below to read about the ambient air quality standards and implementation:

USEPA Air Quality Homepage
http://www.epa.gov/air/oaqps/cleanair.html
USEPA National Ambient Air Quality Standards
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/

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National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
The U.S. Congress enacted the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in 1969 to encourage Federal agencies to make decisions that are based on understanding environmental consequences, and take actions that protect, restore, and enhance the environment. NEPA requires Federal agencies to treat environmental impacts as a primary criterion in evaluating a proposed action. For more information about NEPA, visit the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) website at the links below:

Council on Environmental Quality Homepage
http://www.whitehouse.gov/ceq/
NEPA net
http://ceq.eh.doe.gov/nepa/nepanet.htm

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National Historic Preservation Act
Administered by the National Park Service under their Cultural Resources Legislation, the National Historic Preservation Act establishes programs for the preservation of historic properties throughout the nation. For a complete listing of activities covered by the Act, go to the National Park Service link below:

National Park Service Laws and Regulations, Cultural Resource Legislation page
http://www.nps.gov/legacy/leg_cult.html

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Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) assists owners of private lands with conserving their soil, water and other natural resources. NRCS delivers technical assistance and financial incentives across the country, and in the Carribbean and Pacific Basin, through voluntary local partnerships. To learn more about NRCS visit them on the web at the link below:

The Natural Resource Conservation Service Homepage
http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/

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President's Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)
(See Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ))

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U.S. Army Corp of Engineers
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is comprised of both civilian and military personnel in a wide variety of disciplines including engineers, scientists and other specialists. USACE provides engineering services that consist of planning, designing, building and operating civil works projects as well as military facilities. For more information about USACE, click on the link below:

U.S. Army Corp of Engineers Homepage
http://www.usace.army.mil/

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U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) assists farmers and ranchers and represents American agriculture around the world. They are responsible for administering federal food assistance programs, maintaining our national forests and grasslands, promoting conservation, and for the safety of meat, poultry and egg products. To learn more about USDA visit them on the web at:

U.S. Department of Agriculture Homepage
http://www.usda.gov/

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U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI)
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) is comprised of eight Bureaus: Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Indian Affairs, Land Management, Surface Mining, Minerals Management Service, and U.S. Geological Survey. Through these various bureaus DOI manages land, provides energy and water, oversees national parks and works with Indian Tribes. Visit DOI on the web at the link below to learn more about DOI activities and find links to Bureaus:

U.S. Department of the Interior Homepage
http://www.doi.gov/

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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)
The mission of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is "to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment - air, water, and land - upon which life depends." USEPA develops and enforces regulations, provides scientific funding, conducts environmental research, and supports environmental education. Read about USEPA projects covering a wide variety of topics, find links and contacts, and more at:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Homepage
http://www.epa.gov/

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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is "to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people." As a Bureau in the Department of the Interior, USFWS is responsible for a number of environmental projects as well as law enforcement. To learn more about the roles and responsibilities of USFWS visit them on the web at:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service homepage
http://www.fws.gov/

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