Environmental Law: Agencies, Committees, & Departments

Below are a few examples of state/local agencies and groups that concentrate on environmental issues within the government. 

Environment Department 

• Provides information on various initiatives and commissions related to the environment in Boston. 

Environmental Protection Agency in Massachusetts 

• Part of EPA Region 1 (New England), the EPA in MA  is based in Boston and concentrates on the EPA's projects in Massachusetts.   

Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture

• Contains information on current Senate and House members, bills, hearings, and rules.  

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MASSDEP) 

• Enforces protection of natural resources in Massachusetts. 
• Looking for specific laws? Check out MASSDEP Laws and Rules.

Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office (MEPA)

• Reviews environmental impacts of various development projects.

United Nations (UN) 

• The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) focuses on global environmental issues. 
• Need help finding UN resources? Check out the UN Documentation Research Guide. 

Pacific Regional Environmental Programme (SPREP)

• Focuses on environmental protection of the Pacific region. Apart from Pacific island countries, other members include: the U.S., Australia, France, and New Zealand.

Some of the relevant federal agencies and departments are listed here. This list is by no means exhaustive. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

• Find out more information on environmental regulations by visiting the EPA's Regulations page.  

U. S. Department of the Interior 

• Some bureaus and offices within the department:
  • National Park Service 
  • Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
  • Bureau of Land Management 

U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 

• Contains information on regulations concerning biotechnology, conservation, food and nutrition, and many more topics.