Antarctic Conservation Act
Encyclopedia
The Antarctic Conservation Act, enacted in 1978 by the 95th United States Congress
, and amended by , is a United States federal law that addresses the issue of environmental conservation on the continent of Antarctica. The Departments of the Treasury
, Interior
and Commerce
are responsible for the Act's enforcement.
The Act can be found in .
was established to protect the continent, and establishes major restrictions and responsibilities on visitors and uses.
As part of its responsibilities as a signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, the United States passed the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 to establish rules for all U.S. citizens, U.S. corporations, and certain persons who participate in U.S. government expeditions visiting or operating in Antarctica, as well as U.S. citizens who handle certain Antarctic animals and plants, and other persons handling Antarctic animals and plants while in the U.S.
The act makes it:
“(…) unlawful, unless authorized by permit, to:
95th United States Congress
The Ninety-fifth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, DC from January 3, 1977 to January 3, 1979, during the first two years...
, and amended by , is a United States federal law that addresses the issue of environmental conservation on the continent of Antarctica. The Departments of the Treasury
United States Department of the Treasury
The Department of the Treasury is an executive department and the treasury of the United States federal government. It was established by an Act of Congress in 1789 to manage government revenue...
, Interior
United States Department of the Interior
The United States Department of the Interior is the United States federal executive department of the U.S. government responsible for the management and conservation of most federal land and natural resources, and the administration of programs relating to Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native...
and Commerce
United States Department of Commerce
The United States Department of Commerce is the Cabinet department of the United States government concerned with promoting economic growth. It was originally created as the United States Department of Commerce and Labor on February 14, 1903...
are responsible for the Act's enforcement.
The Act can be found in .
Purpose
Until the 1960s, few rules existed regarding activities in Antarctica. Fishing, whaling and sealing were uncontrolled, and various species were threatened with extinction. Tourists and research stations littered and polluted. In 1961 the Antarctic TreatyAntarctic Treaty System
The Antarctic Treaty and related agreements, collectively called the Antarctic Treaty System or ATS, regulate international relations with respect to Antarctica, Earth's only continent without a native human population. For the purposes of the treaty system, Antarctica is defined as all of the land...
was established to protect the continent, and establishes major restrictions and responsibilities on visitors and uses.
As part of its responsibilities as a signatory to the Antarctic Treaty, the United States passed the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 to establish rules for all U.S. citizens, U.S. corporations, and certain persons who participate in U.S. government expeditions visiting or operating in Antarctica, as well as U.S. citizens who handle certain Antarctic animals and plants, and other persons handling Antarctic animals and plants while in the U.S.
The act makes it:
“(…) unlawful, unless authorized by permit, to:
- take native mammals or birds
- enter specially designated areas
- introduce nonindigenous species to Antarctica
- use or discharge designated pollutants
- discharge wastes
- import certain antarctic items into the United States”
External links
- Summary from Federal Wildlife Laws Handbook
- Antarctic Conservation Act National Science FoundationNational Science FoundationThe National Science Foundation is a United States government agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. Its medical counterpart is the National Institutes of Health...