Protection and Enhancement of Environmental Quality
5 Mar 1970 and amended by EO 11990
Under this EO, the Federal Government must provide leadership in protecting and enhancing the quality of the nation’s environment to sustain and enrich human life. Federal agencies must initiate measures needed to direct their policies, plans and programs so as to meet national environmental goals.
Use of Off-Road Vehicles (ORVs) on The Public Lands
24 May 1977
This EO specifies that ORVs may not be used without special use and location designation.
Protection of Wetlands
24 May 1977 and amended by EO 12608
Under this EO each Federal agency must provide leadership and take action to minimize the destruction, loss or degradation of wetlands, and to preserve and enhance the natural and beneficial values of wetlands. Each agency, to the extent permitted by law, must avoid undertaking or providing assistance for new construction located in wetlands unless the head of the agency finds: there is no practical alternative to such construction; the proposed action includes all practical measures to minimize harm to wetlands that may result from such use. In making this finding the head of the agency may take into account economic, environmental and other pertinent factors (Section 2(a)). Each agency must also provide opportunity for early public review of any plans or proposals for new construction in wetlands (Section 2(b)).
Federal Compliance with Pollution Control Standards
13 October 1978
This EO requires all Federal agencies to be in compliance with environmental laws and fully cooperate with EPA, State, interstate, and local agencies to prevent, control, and abate environmental pollution. EO 13148 revoked Section 1-4 titled ‘‘Pollution Control Plan.’’ No other portions of this EO were revoked by EO 13148.
Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions
4 January 1979
This EO requires Federal agencies with facilities located outside the United States to consider the impact of major actions on the environment. The EO identifies four categories of “major” actions and requires Federal agencies with facilities overseas to establish procedures, in consultation with the Department of State and Council on Environmental Quality, for implementing the Order’s requirements.
Offshore Oil Spill Pollution
February 26, 1979; amended by EO 12418, 5 May 1983 and revoked by EO 12777
This EO delegates authorities of Outer Continental Shelf Land Acts Amendments of 1978 to the following agencies: the Department of Commerce or the Department of Interior administers natural resources; Federal Maritime Commission administers vessels and penalties on vessels; and the Department of Transportation administers offshore facilities. This order was amended by EO 12418.
Management of Federal Legal Resources
18 July 1979; amended EO 12608 and EO 13286
This EO establishes a Federal Legal Council consisting of the Attorney General and 15 agencies to encourage coordination and communication among Federal legal offices. E.O. 12146 also creates a process to mediate legal disputes between agencies, creates a litigation notice system for civil litigation affecting the Federal government, and encourages agencies to release legal opinions that are statements or interpretation of agency policy, unless this would cause demonstrable harm.
Transfer of Functions Relating to Financial Responsibility of Vessels for Pollution Liability
5 May 1983; Revoked by EO 12777
This EO amends EO 12123 to establish Federal agency authority to respond to discharges or the substantial threat of discharge of oil and other hazardous materials from vessels into U.S.-owned waters or shorelines. Responsibility for enforcing the Oil Pollution Act is given to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Superfund Implementation
23 January 1987 and amended by EO 13016
This EO and EO 13016 are the implementing orders for CERCLA. As such, the orders delegate certain CERCLA authorities and responsibilities to EPA and other Federal agencies.
Implementation of §311 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, as amended, and the Oil Pollution Act 18 October 1991
Amended by: EO 13286
This EO implements the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 by outlining emergency response procedures for managing spills of oil and hazardous materials into the waters inside U.S. jurisdiction. EPA, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Departments of Defense, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, and Energy participate in contingency planning.
Federal Use of Alternative Fueled Vehicles
21 April 1993
This EO requires Federal agencies to adopt aggressive plans to exceed the purchase requirements of alternative-fueled vehicles established by the Energy Policy Act of 1992.
Requiring Agencies to Purchase Energy Efficient Computer Equipment
21 April 1993
This EO directs the U.S. government to participate in the EPA Energy Star computer program by agreeing to buy energy-efficient computers, monitors, and printers. To the extent possible, Federal agencies must purchase only computer equipment that meets the EPA Energy Star requirements.
Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low Income Populations
11 February 1994
This EO requires Federal agencies to achieve environmental justice by identifying and addressing, as appropriate, any disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental impacts that their programs, policies, and activities may have on minority populations and low-income populations.
Energy Efficiency and Water Conservation at Federal Facilities
8 March 1994
This EO addresses agency goals and reporting requirements for energy and water efficiency at Federal facilities as well as suggestions on how to achieve those goals.
Recreational Fisheries
7 June 1995
This EO mandates that Federal agencies, to the extent permitted by law and where practicable, improve the quality, function, and sustainable productivity and distribution of U.S. aquatic resources for increased recreational fishing opportunities. It also established the National Recreational Fisheries Coordination Council.
Federal Acquisition and Community Right-to-Know
8 Aug 1995 and revoked by EO 13148
This EO requires Federal agencies, to the greatest extent practicable, to contract for supplies and services with companies that report publicly on the toxic chemicals they release into the environment.
Locating Federal Facilities on Historic Properties in Our Nation’s Central Cities
21 May 1996
This EO states that the Federal Government shall utilize and maintain, wherever operationally appropriate and economically prudent, historic properties and districts, especially those located in central business areas.
Indian Sacred Sites
24 May 1996
This EO addresses the accommodation of sacred sites. Each executive branch agency with statutory or administrative responsibility for the management of Federal lands is required, to the extent practicable, permitted by law, and not clearly inconsistent with agency functions, accommodate access to and ceremonial use of Indian sacred sites by Indian religious practitioners. They shall also avoid adversely affecting the physical integrity of the sacred sites. Where appropriate, agencies will maintain the confidentiality of sacred sites.
Amendment to EO 12580
28 August 1996
This EO amends EO 12580, which together, constitute the implementing orders for CERCLA. As such, the orders delegate certain CERCLA authorities and responsibilities to EPA and other Federal agencies.
Greening the Government Through Waste Prevention, Recycling, and Federal Acquisition
September 1998
This EO strengthens and expands the Federal government’s commitment to recycling and buying recycled-content and environmentally preferable products. EO 13101 replaces EO 12873, Federal Acquisition, Recycling, and Waste Prevention.
Invasive Species
3 February 1999
This EO addresses the prevention of the introduction of invasive species and provides for their control and minimization of the economic, ecological, and human health impacts the invasive species causes. The EO establishes the Invasive Species Council, which is responsible for the preparation and issuance of the National Invasive Species Management Plan, which details and recommends performance-oriented goals and objectives and specific measures of success for Federal Agencies
Greening the Government Through Efficient Energy Management
3 Jun 1999
This EO calls for Federal agencies to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings, promote the use of renewable energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy use in their buildings, among other energy related requirements.
Developing and Promoting Biobased Products and Bioenergy
12 Aug 1999
This EO stipulated that it is the policy of the Administration to develop a comprehensive national strategy, including research, development, and private sector incentives, to stimulate the creation and early adoption of technologies needed to make biobased products and bioenergy cost-competitive in large national and international markets.
Greening the Government Through Leadership in Environmental Management
21 Apr 2000
This EO mandates that environmental management considerations must be a fundamental and integral component of Federal Government policies, operations, planning, and management. The primary goal of this EO in the natural resources arena is for each agency to strive to promote the sustainable management of Federal facility lands through the implementation of cost-effective, environmentally sound landscaping practices, and programs to reduce adverse impacts to the natural environment.
Greening the Government Through Federal Fleet and Transportation Efficiency
21 Apr 2000
The purpose of this EO is to ensure that the Federal Government exercises leadership in the reduction of petroleum consumption through improvements in fleet fuel efficiency and the use of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) and alternative fuels.
Federal Workforce Transportation
21 April 2000
Under this EO, federal agencies shall implement a transportation fringe benefit program that offers qualified Federal employees the option to exclude from taxable wages and compensation,consistent with section 132 of title 26, United States Code, employee commuting costs incurred through the use of mass transportation and vanpools, not to exceed the maximum level allowed by law (26 U.S.C. 132 (f)(2)).
Marine Protected Areas
26 May 2000
This EO mandates strengthening the management, protection, and conservation of existing marine protected areas (MPA) and establishment of new or expanded MPAs; the development of a scientifically based, comprehensive national system of MPAs representing diverse U.S. marine ecosystems and the Nation’s natural and cultural resources; and the avoiding causing harm to MPAs through federally conducted, approved, or funded activities.
Responsibilities of Federal Agencies To Protect Migratory Birds
10 January 2001
This EO directs executive departments and agencies to take certain actions to further implement the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The EO requires that each Federal agency taking actions that have, or are likely to have, a measurable negative effect on migratory bird populations is directed to develop and implement, within 2yr, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) that shall promote the conservation of migratory bird populations. Under this EO, the SOI will establish the interagency Council for the Conservation of Migratory Birds (Council) to oversee the implementation of the EO.
Trails for America in the 21st Century
18 January 2001
This EO mandates that Federal agencies will, to the extent permitted by law and where practicable--and in cooperation with Tribes, States, local governments, and interested citizen groups--protect, connect, promote, and assist trails of all types throughout the United States.
Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use
18 May 2001
This EO establishes the mandate for federal agencies to prepare a Statement of Energy Effects when undertaking certain agency actions.
Actions to Expedite Energy-Related Projects
18 May 2001
For energy-related projects, agencies will expedite their review of permits or take other actions as necessary to accelerate the completion of such projects, while maintaining safety, public health, and environmental protections. An interagency task force (Task Force)is developed to monitor and assist the agencies in their efforts to expedite their review of permits or similar actions, as necessary, to accelerate the completion of energy-related projects, increase energy production and conservation, and improve transmission of energy. The Task Force also shall monitor and assist agencies in setting up appropriate mechanisms to coordinate Federal, State, tribal, and local permitting in geographic areas where increased permitting activity is expected.
Energy Efficient Standby Power Devices
31 Jul 2004
This EO directs Federal agencies to purchase low wattage standby power devices.
Preserve America
3 March 2003
This EO states that it is the policy of the Federal Government to provide leadership in preserving America's heritage by actively advancing the protection, enhancement, and contemporary use of the historic properties owned by the Federal Government, and by promoting intergovernmental cooperation and partnerships for the preservation and use of historic properties.
Amending Executive Order 13212, Actions to Expedite Energy-Related Projects
15 May 2003
This EO amended EO 13212 by clarifying the role of the Interagency Task Force.
Federal Real Property Asset Management
4 Feb 2004
This EO establishes the Federal Real Property Council to develop guidance for, and facilitate the success of, each agency’s asset management plan. The Council is to be composed exclusively of all agency Senior Real Property Officers, the Controller of the Office of Management and Budget, the Administrator of General Services, and any other full-time or permanent part-time Federal officials or employees as deemed necessary by the Chairman of the Council. The Senior Real Property Officer is designated by the head a department of agency. The Senior Real Property Officer is required to develop and implement an agency asset management planning process that meets the form, content, and other requirements established by the Federal Real Property Council. In relation to cultural resources, the Senior Property Officer shall incorporate planning and management requirements for historic property under Executive Order 132
Facilitation of Cooperative Conservation
26 Aug 2004
This EO requires that the Secretaries of the Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, and Defense and the Administrator of the EPA shall:
1. carry out the programs, projects, and activities of the agency that they respectively head that implement laws relating to the environment and natural resources in a manner that:
- facilitates cooperative conservation;
- takes appropriate account of and respects the interests of persons with ownership or other legally recognized interests in land and other natural resources;
- properly accommodates local participation in Federal decisionmaking; and
- provides that the programs, projects, and activities are consistent with protecting public health and safety;
2. report annually to the Chairman of the CEQ on actions taken to implement this order; and
3. provide funding to the Office of the Environmental Quality Mgmt Fund for a Conference.
Facilitation of Cooperative Conservation
26 August 2004
This EO requires that the Secretaries of the Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, and Defense and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall, to the extent permitted by law and subject to the availability of appropriations and in coordination with each other as appropriate ...
Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management
24 January 2007
Executive Order 13423 "Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management", signed by President Bush on January 24, 2007. The order sets goals in the areas of energy efficiency, acquisition, renewable energy, toxics reductions, recycling, renewable energy, sustainable buildings, electronics stewardship, fleets, and water conservation. In addition the order requires more widespread use of Environmental Management Systems as the framework in which to manage and continually improve these sustainable practices.
Executive Order 13423
