part of the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Project may result in a reduction of 
agricultural activities. 
8. LEGISLATION 
8.1. Federal legislation 
[The information in this section is condensed from NOAA (1981), Hildreth and Johnson (1983), 
McClain (1991), and Wolf (1988).] 
8.1.1. Federal Clean Water Act 
The Federal Clean Water Act (FWPCA) (33 U. S. C. §§ 1251 et. seq.) was originally enacted in 
1972 to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the nation's 
waters. This Act was amended with major provisions in 1977, 1981 and 1987. The three 
objectives of the Act were to: eliminate the discharge of pollutants into navigable waters by 
1985; to attain, whenever possible, water quality that allows for fishing and recreational use 
by 1983; and to prohibit the discharge of toxic pollutants in toxic amounts. The FWPCA also 
established a national policy for providing financial assistance to construct publicly owned 
waste water treatment plants. EPA was given the principal responsibility for administering the 
FWPCA. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) is part of the FWPCA. The 
FWPCA prohibits discharges into navigable waters unless authorized by an NPDES permit. 
8.1.2. Clean Air Act 
The Clean Air Act (CAA) (42 U. S. C. §§ 7401 et. seq.) was enacted in 1970 and extended and 
substantially amended in 1977. The purpose of this act is to protect and enhance the quality of 
the nation's air resources in order to promote public health and welfare and the productive 
capacity of the population. The CAA provides for two principal ways of controlling air pollution: 
national ambient air standards, and point source emission limitations. EPA is required to publish 
a list of air pollutants which is used to set the ambient air standards. 
8.1.3. Toxic Substances Control Act 
The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) (15 U. S. C. §§ 2601 et. seq.) was first enacted in 
1976 and its primary purpose is to regulate the chemical substances that present a hazard to 
human health or to the environment. This act greatly expanded regulation of chemicals. It is 
intended to control chemical hazards at the source. TSCA applies not only to pure chemical 
substances but also to the impurities contained in these materials. 
8.1.4. Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act 
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (7 U. S. C. §§ 136 et. seq.) was 
originally enacted in 1947 and was amended significantly in 1972 and 1978. When first 
enacted, FIFRA was primarily a pesticide labeling law. The 1972 legislation required 
registration of all pesticides, constituting a premarket clearance for these substances. In order 
to approve registration of a pesticide, EPA must insure that the substance will not affect the 
environment or the population. EPA must also determine that the benefits of using the pesticide 
outweigh the risks associated with its use. 
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