The Coastal Barriers Resources Act

The Coastal Barriers Resources Act (CBRA) was the result of the realization by Congress that coastal barrier land masses were a tremendously valuable natural resource and that because of their inherent vulnerability to erosion and storms, they were not well-suited to development. In order to both protect coastal barrier habitats and minimize the wasteful expenditure of federal funds, the CBRA was passed in 1982 to identify undeveloped coastal barrier land masses and restrict federal funding for such areas.

The Plant Patents Amendment Act of 1998

In 1998, the Plant Patents Amendment Act was passed by Congress to amend the plant patent grant provisions of the Patent Act. Under the amendments, a plant patent owner is now given the right to exclude others from asexually reproducing, selling, or importing a patented plant, or any parts of the plant, for the patent term.

Volatile Organic Compounds

One problematic aspect of controlling ozone levels is that ozone is generally not directly emitted by polluters. Ozone is produced in the atmosphere when one of the criteria pollutants, nitrogen oxides, combine with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight and heat. Although nitrogen oxides are classified as a criteria pollutant while VOCs are not, much effort is directed towards reducing the emission of VOCs because of their contribution to the production of ground-level ozone.

The Radon Gas and Indoor Air Quality Research Act of 1986

In recognition of the potential hazard posed by radon gas in particular as well as the overall importance of indoor air quality, Congress passed the Radon Gas and Indoor Air Quality Research Act (Air Quality Research Act) in 1986. Among other things, the Air Quality Research Act directed the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a research program with respect to indoor air quality in order to add to the understanding of health problems associated with indoor air pollutants.

The Great Lakes Regional Collaboration

In May of 2004, President George W. Bush signed Executive Order 13340 establishing a regional collaboration of national significance for the Great Lakes. The order recognized that the Great Lakes, the largest freshwater system in the world, are a "national treasure" that is important to preserve and protect.