Title: Describe current environmental policies/regulations.
Course: Introduction to Natural Resources and Ecology Systems (18504) > Section: Exploring Government Policies, Agencies, and Regulations

Description should include the following:

- Clean Water Act
- Safe Water Drinking Act
- Water Quality Act
- Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)
- Agricultural Stewardship Act
- National Environmental Policy Act
- Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control law
- Other local and state regulations that apply (will vary by area)

Process/Skill Questions:

- What is the difference between a law and a regulation?
- What led to the creation of each policy/regulation?
- How was the environment affected prior to the creation of each policy/regulation?
- What is the main purpose of each policy/regulation (including any amendments)?
- How has each policy/regulation improved water quality?
- How has each policy/regulation affected (positively and negatively) land uses (e.g., agriculture, industry, residential)?
- What agency (or agencies) are responsible for administering and enforcing each policy/regulation?
- What are the penalties for violating each policy/regulation?
- What Virginia policy/regulations are enforced in your area?
- How do these policy/regulations affect agricultural production, natural resources management, and forest harvesting?
- Why is enforcing these policy/regulations important to agriculture?
- How has each policy/regulation improved air quality?
- How has each policy/regulation affected soil conservation efforts?