U.S. State Laws
U.S. State Governments Pass Their Own Laws to Protect the Environment
State constitutions and legislatures are free to regulate the environment - as long as it does not conflict with any federal law. In fact, most of the country’s environmental laws are handled at the state and local levels.
Read below to learn more about how U.S. state governments help to protect the environment.
Alabama
Alabama is located in the American South, containing temperate broadleaf and mixed forests. Alabama has passed a number of state laws to protect its environment. Click below to learn more about Alabama’s environment and laws.
Alaska
Alaska is the country’s largest state and home to some of the most pristine natural habitats in the world. Click below to learn more about Alaska’s environment and laws.
Arizona
Arizona is home to a sweeping desert and mountainous landscape in the American Southwest. Click below to learn more about Arizona’s environment and laws.
Arkansas
Arkansas is home to the Ozark National Forest, a nationally protected preserve with over 1 million acres of wooded area and is home to over 500 species of trees and plants. The forest contains five designated wilderness areas and several Wildlife Management Areas. Click below to learn more about Arkansas’s environment and laws.
California
California is situated on the American West Coast, occupying 840 miles of coastline from Mexico to Oregon. It is home to the Redwood National Park, the trees of which are up to 3,500 years old. Click below to learn more about California’s environment and laws.
Colorado
Colorado is home to the Rocky Mountains, an abrupt geographic change from the Great Plains on its eastern border. Click below to read more about Colorado’s environment and laws.
Connecticut
Connecticut is located in the American Northeast and is home to the Connecticut River. In 2019, vast stretches of the Connecticut River were designated “Wild and Scenic,” meaning they have special cultural and ecological importance. Click below to learn more about Connecticut’s environment and laws.
Delaware
Delaware is located on the United States East Coast, containing temperate broadleaf and mixed forests. Delaware has passed a number of state laws aimed at protecting the environment. Click below to learn more about Delaware’s environment and laws.
Florida
Florida is located in the American southeast, with 1,350 miles of coastline on the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Florida is also home to the Everglades National Park, which covers a million and a half acres. Click below to learn more about Florida’s environment and laws.
Hawaii
Hawaii is located in the Pacific Ocean, over 2,400 miles from the American mainland. Formed by volcanic eruptions, Hawaii is made up of 132 islands, atolls, reefs, shallow banks, shoals, and seamounts, stretching over 1,500 miles. Click below to learn more about Hawaii’s environment and laws.
Idaho
Idaho is home to stunning geologic formations, including the Selkirk Mountains, the Purcell trench and the Cabinet Mountains. Idaho also contains vast natural resource reserves, such as lead, silver and other ores. Click here to learn more about Idaho’s environmental and laws.
Illinois
Illinois is located in the American Midwest and is home to vast stretches of farmland. Before it was farmland, it was home to millions of acres of temperate forestland, such as that found in Illinois’s Shawnee National Forest. Click below to learn more about Illinois’s environment and laws.
Indiana
Click below to learn more about Indiana’s environment and laws.
Iowa
Click below to learn more about Iowa’s environment and laws.
Kansas
Click below to learn more about Kansas’s environment and laws.
Kentucky
Click below to learn more about Kentucky’s environment and laws.
Louisiana
Click below to learn more about Louisiana’s environment and laws.
Maine
Click below to learn more about Maine’s environment and laws.
Maryland
Click below to learn more about Maryland’s environment and laws.
Massachusetts
Click below to learn more about Massachusetts’s environment and laws.
Michigan
Click below to learn more about Michigan’s environment and laws.
Minnesota
Click below to learn more about Minnesota’s environment and laws.
Mississippi
Click below to learn more about Mississippi’s environment and laws.
Missouri
Click below to learn more about Missouri’s environment and laws.
Montana
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Nebraska
Click below to learn more about Nebraska’s environment and laws.
Nevada
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New Hampshire
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New Jersey
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New Mexico
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New York
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North Carolina
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North Dakota
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Ohio
Click below to learn more about Ohio’s environment and laws.
Oklahoma
Click below to learn more about Oklahoma’s environment and laws.
Oregon
Click below to learn more about Oregon’s environment and laws.
Pennsylvania
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Rhode Island
Click below to learn more about Rhode Island’s environment and laws.
South Carolina
Click below to learn more about South Carolina’s environment and laws.
South Dakota
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Tennessee
Click below to learn more about Tennessee’s environment and laws.
Texas
Click below to learn more about Texas’s environment and laws.
Utah
Click below to learn more about Utah’s environment and laws.
Vermont
Click below to learn more about Vermont’s environment and laws.
Virginia
Click below to learn more about Virginia’s environment and laws.
Washington
Click below to learn more about Washington’s environment and laws.
West Virginia
Click below to learn more about West Virginia’s environment and laws.
Wisconsin
Click below to learn more about Wisconsin’s environment and laws.
Wyoming
Wyoming is home to six national parks, including Yellowstone National Park. Click below to learn more about Wyoming’s environment and laws.