The Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, and several of the other Acts also authorize citizen suits in the United States district courts against various persons, including federal officials. Normally, a period of notice is required before such an action may be instituted. Citizen suits against the United States, federal agencies, or federal agency officials must be analyzed carefully to determine the relief sought in the case, and the United States Attorney should promptly forward any such notice or complaint to the Chief, Environmental Defense Section.

[Updated April 2018]