Clean Water Act (Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972 as amended) - This act sets objectives for restoring and maintaining the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters. Also, the act regulates discharge of pollutants and requires federal agencies to avoid adverse impacts from modification or destruction of navigable streams and associated tributaries, wetlands, or other waters.

Clean Air Act, 1970 - This act establishes a nationwide program for the prevention and control of air pollution and establishes National Ambient Air Quality Standards. Under the Prevention of Significant Deterioration provisions, the act requires federal officials responsible for the management of Class I Areas (national parks and wilderness areas) to protect the air quality related values of each area and to consult with permitting authorities regarding possible adverse impacts from new or modified emitting facilities.

Land and Water Conservation Fund Act, 1965 - This act establishes a fund, administered by the National Park Service, "to assist the States and federal agencies in meeting present and future outdoor recreation demands and needs of the American people." Three main sources supply the funds: sales of federal surplus real properties, a part of federal motorboat fuel taxes, and Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) revenues from leasing of oil and gas sites in coastal waters. The act stipulates that not less than 40% of every annual appropriation from the fund goes toward acquisition of recreation and conservation lands specifically authorized within areas administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Land Management. Additional funds are made available to the states for 50% matching grants. A site that has been acquired, developed, or rehabilitated with this grant money cannot be converted to non-recreational use except where approved by the National Park Service and replaced with lands of equal market and recreational value.

National Environmental Policy Act, 1969 - NEPA is the basic national charter for environmental protection. It requires a systematic analysis of major federal actions that includes a consideration of all reasonable alternatives as well as an analysis of short-term and long-term, irretrievable, irreversible, and unavoidable impacts.

National Trails System Act, 1968 - This act establishes a national system of recreational, scenic, and historic trails and prescribes the methods and standards for adding components to the system.

Outdoor Recreation Act, 1963 - This act lays out the Interior Department's role as coordinator of all federal agencies for programs affecting the conservation and development of recreation resources. The secretary of Interior is directed to prepare a nationwide recreation plan and provide technical assistance to states, local governments and private interests to promote the conservation and utilization of recreation resources.

Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, 1968 - This act establishes a system of areas distinct from the traditional park concept to ensure the protection of each river%s unique environment; it also preserves certain selected rivers that possess outstanding scenic, recreational, geological, cultural, or historic values and maintains their free-flowing condition.

Wilderness Act, 1964 - The Wilderness Act establishes the National Wilderness Preservation System. In this act, wilderness is defined by its lack of noticeable human modification or presence; it is a place where the landscape is affected primarily by the forces of nature and where humans are visitors who do not remain. Wilderness Areas are designated by Congress and are composed of existing federal lands that have retained a wilderness character and meet the criteria found in the act. Federal officials are required to manage Wilderness Areas in a manner conducive to retention of their wilderness character and must consider the effect upon wilderness attributes from management activities on adjacent lands.