Environmental Law Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Environmental Law, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Environmental Law?

n. a body of state and federal statutes intended to protect the environment, wildlife, land and beauty, prevent pollution or over-cutting of forests, save endangered species, conserve water, develop and follow general plans and prevent damaging practices. These laws often give individuals and groups the right to bring legal actions or seek court orders to enforce the protections or demand revisions of private and public activity which may have detrimental effects on the environment.