Environmental Law Acronyms

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Acronyms for Selected Environmental Statutes

AEA: Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. §§ 2011-2297g-4); Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. §§ 5801-5891)
AHERA: Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 (see TSCA)
APA: Acid Precipitation Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. §§ 8901-8912)
APA: Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. §§ 551-559, 701-703)
CAA: Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 7401-7626)
CERCLA: Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. §§ 9601-9675)
CWA: Clean Water Act (see FWPCA)
CZMA: Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. §§ 1451-1464)
EPCRA: Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 11001-11050)
ESA: Endangered Species Act (15 U.S.C. §§ 1531-1544)
FFDCA: Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. §§ 301-395)
FIFRA: Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. §§ 136-136y)
FOIA: Freedom of Information Act (see APA)
FQPA: Food Quality Protection Act (7 U.S.C. §§ 136-136y; 21 U.S.C. §§ 301-395)
FWPCA: Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. §§ 1251-1387)
HMTA: Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. §§ 1801-1813)
HSWA: Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984 (see RCRA)
LLRWPA: Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 2021b — 2021j)
MPRSA: Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (16 U.S.C. §§ 1431-1445; 33 U.S.C. §§ 1401-1445)
NEPA: National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. §§ 4321-4347)
NWPA: Nuclear Waste Policy Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 10101-10270)
OPA: Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. §§ 2701-2761)
OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. §§ 651-678)
PHSA: Public Health Service Act (see SDWA)
RCRA: Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 6901-6992)
SARA: Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (see CERCLA and EPCRA)
SDWA: Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. §§ 300f-300j-26)
SMCRA: Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. §§ 1201-1328)
SWDA: Solid Waste Disposal Act (see RCRA)
TSCA: Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. §§ 2601-2671)
UMTRCA: Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978 (42 U.S.C. §§ 7901-7942)
WQA: Water Quality Act of 1987 (see FWPCA)

Acronyms Under Selected Environmental Laws

AEA

ALARA: As Low as Reasonably Achievable
ASLB: Atomic Safety and Licensing Board
EDO: Executive Director for Operations
NMSS: Office of Nuclear Material Safety & Safeguards
NRR: Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation
OCR: Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management
OE: Office of Enforcement
OI: Office of Investigations
SECY: Secretary of the Commission Paper
SRM: Staff Requirements Memorandum

CAA

BACT: Best Available Control Technology
CAAA: Clean Air Act Amendments
CO: Carbon Monoxide
ERC: Emission Reduction Credits
ESP: Electrostatic Precipitation
FBC: Fluidized Bed Combustion
FGD: Flue Gas Desulfurization
GEP: Good Engineering Practice
HC: Hydrocarbons
LAER: Lowest Achievable Emission Rate
MACT: Maximum Achievable Control Technology
NAAQS: National Ambient Air Quality Standards
NESHAP: National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
NOx: Nitrogen Oxide
NSPS: New Source Performance Standards
PSD: Prevention of Significant Deterioration
RACT: Reasonably Available Control Technology
RAM: Real-Time Air-Quality Simulation Model Risk Management Plan
RVP: Reid Vapor Pressure
SIP: State Implementation Plan
SO₂: Sulfur Dioxide
TSP: Total Suspended Particulates
VMT: Vehicle Miles Traveled
VOC: Volatile Organic Compound

CERCLA, SARA, EPCRA

ADR: Alternative Dispute Resolution
ARARs: Applicable or Relevant & Appropriate Requirements
CERCLIS: Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, & Liability Information System
EA: Endangerment Assessment
EHS: Extremely Hazardous Substance
ESD: Explanation of Significant Difference
FS: Feasibility Study
HRS: Hazard Ranking System
LEPC: Local Emergency Planning Committee
MSDS: Material Safety Data Sheet
MSW: Municipal Solid Waste
NBAR: Nonbinding Preliminary Allocation of Responsibility
NCP: National Contingency Plan
NPL: National Priorities List
NRC: National Response Center
OSC: On-Scene Coordinator
OSRTI: Office of Superfund Remediation & Technology Innovation
OU: Operable Unit
PDD: Preauthorization Decision Document
PHE: Public Health Evaluation
PRP: Potentially Responsible Party
QA/QC: Quality Assurance/Quality Control
RA: Remedial Action
RD: Remedial Design
RI: Remedial Investigation
ROD: Record of Decision
RPM: Remedial Project Manager
RQ: Reportable Quantity
SACM: Superfund Accelerated Cleanup Model
SCAP: Superfund Comprehensive Accomplishments Plan
SERC: State Emergency Response Commission
SETS: Superfund Enforcement Tracking System
SOW: Statement of Work
TAG: Technical Assistance Grant
UAO: Unilateral Administrative Order
UST: Underground Storage Tank

CWA, FWPCA, OPA, SDWA

BAT: Best Available Technology
BCT: Best Conventional Technology
BOD: Biochemical Oxygen Demand
BPCTCA: Best Practical Control Technology Currently Available
BPT: Best Practicable Technology
CAPA: Critical Aquifer Protection Area
COD: Chemical Oxygen Demand
CWT: Centralized Waste Treatment
DMR: Discharge Monitoring Report
DO: Dissolved Oxygen
ITR: Innovative Technology Requirement
MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level
MCLG: Maximum Contaminant Level Goal
MEP: Maximum Extent Practicable
NPDES: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
NPDWS: National Primary Drinking Water Standards
NRC: National Response Center
NRT: National Response Team
POTW: Publicly Owned Treatment Works
SMCL: Secondary MCL
SOCMI: Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry
SPCC: Spill Prevention Control/Surface Water Toxic Controls Program
TMDL: Total Maximum Daily Load
TSS: Total Suspended Solids
UIC: Underground Injection Control
WQMP: Water Quality Management Plan

FIFRA

IPM: Integrated Pest Management
RPAR: Rebuttable Presumption Against Registration

NEPA

DEIS: Draft Environmental Impact Statement
EA: Environmental Assessment
EIS: Environmental Impact Statement
FEIS: Final Environmental Impact Statement
FONSI: Finding of No Significant Impact

OSHA

PEL: Permissible Exposure Limit
STEL: Short-Term Exposure Limit

PHSA

NTP: National Toxicology Program

RCRA

BDAT: Best Demonstrated Available Technology
CAMU: Corrective Action Management Unit
MSW: Municipal Solid Waste
MSWLF: Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Facility
MTR: Minimum Technology Requirement
OECA: Office of Enforcement & Compliance Assurance
OSW: Office of Solid Waste
OSWER: Office of Solid Waste & Emergency Response
RCRIS: RCRA Information System
RFA: RCRA Facility Assessment
RFI: RCRA Facility Investigation
SWMU: Solid Waste Management Unit
TCLP: Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure
TSDF: Treatment, Storage, & Disposal Facility
UST: Underground Storage Tank

TSCA

ITC: Interagency Testing Committee
OPPTS: Office of Prevention, Pesticides, & Toxic Substances
PMN: Pre-Manufacturing Notices
SNUR: Significant New Use Rule

Miscellaneous

ALJ: Administrative Law Judge
AOC: Administrative Order on Consent
ATSDR: Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry
CD: Consent Decree
CEQ: Council on Environmental Quality
CO: Consent Order
DOJ: Department of Justice
EAB: Environmental Appeals Board
EPA: United States Environmental Protection Agency
GAO: General Accounting Office
IG: Inspector General
NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
NOV: Notice of Violation
PCB: Polychlorinated Biphenyl
SAB: Science Advisory Board