Congress has enacted many laws to protect our natural resources, plants, and animals. These laws protect them from going extinct and assist in improving their condition. Other laws establish how to extract, transport, or use certain resources. Such resources include oil, coal, and gas. Unfortunately, the government usually doesn't have all the information to prosecute violators. As such, many federal laws reward those with valuable information who report violators. An example of such a law is the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Its goal was to protect, and conserve endangered or threatened animals and plants. This law both protects species from going extinct and aids species recovery. It achieves this through fines and imprisoning violators. This law also rewards anyone who provides information leading to action. This includes property forfeiture, civil penalty assessment, criminal conviction, or arrest for violations. Any fines, penalties, or forfeitures received by the government fund the rewards. Another example of federal environmental law is the Lacey Act. This law prohibits trading animals or plants transported, possessed, taken, or sold illegally. When enacted, its main purpose was to protect animals hunted excessively. The Lacey Act also rewards anyone who provides information about statute violations.
These laws protect a wide range of natural resources. Some protect specific species while others protect specific ecosystems. One example is The Fish and Wildlife Improvement Act. It helps state fish and wildlife law enforcement create and conduct training programs. It also allows the Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce to enter into agreements with state and federal agencies. Also, whistleblowers could receive rewards for providing information on violations. This applies to any law by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. This also applies to any law from the National Marine Fisheries Service on animals or plants. These include many of the above laws, where most do not provide whistleblower rewards. Some laws also extend resource protection outside the United States. An example is the African Elephant Conservation Act.
Other statutes enacted by Congress to protect natural resources are
the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994,
the African Elephant Conservation Act of 1988,
the Marine Mammal Protection Act,
the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978,
the Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992,
the Fish and Wildlife Improvement Act of 1978,
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act,
the Airborne Hunting Act,
the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act,
the American Fisheries Act of 1998,
the Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act,
the Fisherman’s Protective Act,
the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act,
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act,
the High Seas Fishing Compliance Act,
the Sustainable Fisheries Act of 1996, and
the Whaling Convention Act
These laws protect a wide range of natural resources. Some protect specific species while others protect specific ecosystems. One example is The Fish and Wildlife Improvement Act. It helps state fish and wildlife law enforcement create and conduct training programs. The Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce can also enter agreements with state and federal agencies. Also, whistleblowers could receive rewards for providing information on violations. This applies to any law by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. This also applies to any law from the National Marine Fisheries Service on animals or plants. These include many of the above laws, where most do not provide whistleblower rewards. Some laws also extend resource protection outside the United States. An example is the African Elephant Conservation Act.
Whistleblowers with valuable information can help protect our environment and natural resources. The government will reward you for doing the right thing. Whistleblowers play a vital role in holding violators responsible. They prevent individuals or companies get away with causing environmental harm. They also prevent violators avoid prosecution or skip paying environmental fines. Sometimes violators may try to hide or conceal their misconduct. Thus, whistleblowers help the government to enforce its statutes. This is important in protecting limited natural resources and curbing irreversible damages.