Research Guides: Public Natural Resources Law: Government Resources

Finding the Law on Government Websites

These government resources will help you access laws, regulations, and other government publications for your research:

Congress.gov
A new website from the Library of Congress, this is similar to (and will eventually replace) THOMAS, and provides searchable legislation and bills back to 1993, as well as access to the Congressional Record back to 1995.
ECOLEX
A database maintained by FAO, IUCN, and UNEP, this is a great resource for accessing news, literature, and legislation on environmental law and policy
e-CFR
The electronic version of the Code of Federal Regulations provides access to the latest version of the CFR, updated daily. Though useful for access to the most current regulatory information, it is not an official version of the CFR.

Regulations.gov This link opens in a new window
Regulations.gov is your source for information on the development of Federal regulations and other related documents issued by the U.S. government. Through this site, you can find, read, and comment on regulatory issues.

THOMAS
This is a service of the Library of Congress where you can search bills currently before Congress, bill text back to the 101st Congress, and bill status back to the 93rd Congress.

Miscellaneous Government Resources

When it comes to environmental and natural resources law, there are a number of government departments and agencies that can provide extremely helpful information.

United States Government Manual (Dec. 2012 ed.)
The US Gov't Manual is an excellent resource for understanding the structure of the United States government. Here you will find listings of the various executive branch departments and agencies, as well as the offices within those agencies, helping you to locate the best resources for your research topic. (Note: There's also an electronic version that is constantly updated: usgovernmentmanual.gov)
Science.gov
A government information portal, bringing together various government websites dealing with the sciences, this website will help you easily find resources in various areas, including Energy & Energy Conservation, Environment & Environmental Quality, and Natural Resources & Conservation

Pertinent Department and Agency Websites

Department and agency websites can be helpful resources by identifying their latest news, highlighting important laws and regulations in their area, and often producing their own publications for public awareness and education.

Bureau of Land Management (Dept. of Interior)
A listing of the relevant laws and regulations as well as Bureau publications can be found in the Information Center, from the left-hand menu of the BLM website.
Bureau of Reclamation (Dept. of Interior)
If you're researching water resources and rights, you may find the Bureau of Reclamation's library helpful for access to their publications as well as recommended resources.
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
This office within the Department of the Interior will offer access to pertinent regulations as well as internal documents such as inspection programs that will help inform your understanding of the enforcement side of public land law.
Council on Environmental Quality
Affiliated with the Executive Office of the President, the Council on Environmental Quality has several initiatives in place to study and treat the environmental issues of today, such as sustainability; they also work to energize legislation, such as NEPA.
Department of Energy
This page of the DOE website offers access to department directives, news, and other resources about the work of the DOE.
Environmental Protection Agency
The official website of the EPA, look here for information to help you learn about major environmental issues, learn about the laws and regulations the EPA enforces, and learn about recent studies conducted to help better and understand and protect the environment.
Forest Service (USDA)
An agency within the Dept. of Agriculture, the Forest Service website will have the latest information on a variety of issues affecting forested environments in the U.S. Clicking on the Pubs, Regs, and Manuals link in the left-hand menu on their home page will show you a number of reports and papers addressing these issues.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
An office within the Dept. of Commerce, NOAA maintains an active library program, with a wealth of resources; the library is accessible from the Media & Constituents button in the left-hand menu of NOAA's website.
National Park Service (Dept. of Interior)
This links to the publications of the NPS. This includes not only pamphlets and brochures, but also historical park handbooks and links to Federal Preservation Laws.
Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement
Similar to BSEE, above, you will find this office of the Dept. of the Interior helpful for its access to pertinent laws, regulations, and enforcement guidelines.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Digital Library
Electronic access to a wide array of documents, maps, video, and more from the Fish & Wildlife Service (Dept. of the Interior).
United States Geological Survey
Within the Dept. of the Interior, the USGS is an excellent resource on mineral resources, climate control, and more.