BARKER-ENVPOLICY

Yellowstone Act

Mar 1, 1872

Congress passes the Yellowstone Act, which sets apart land as a public park. This was the first national park, and it started the idea of public land being preserved for parks. This is the reason that we have national parks today.

Lacey Act

Mar 25, 1900

The Lacey Act is a law that prohibits the trade of wildlife, fish, and plants that have been illegally taken, possessed, transported or sold. This law has been amended many times. This law used to aim to preserve game, but today, its main goal is to prevent the spread of potentially dangerous non-native species. This law helps us today by helping keep us safe and preventing possible disease.

Burton Act

May 21, 1906

This preserved Niagara Falls from hydroelectric power facilities. These power facilities affect the amount, quality, and temperature of water that flows in streams, having drastic effects on agriculture and drinking water and altering the natural water flow. This act preserves the water and the fish.

TCC and Ducktown Sulphur

Jan 1, 1907

Georgia files a suit against the TCC and Ducktown Sulphur because fumes from the companies were travelling into Georgia and polluting communities. The Supreme Court sided with Georgia, and the companies had to control their fumes. The effects this has is cleaner air and companies being more conscious.

National Park Service

Aug 25, 1916

This is the reason that we have national parks today. There are 84.6 billion acres of preserved land in the US today.

Emergency Conservation Work Act

Mar 31, 1933

Under this act, unemployed young men were recruited into a "peacetime army" called the CCC. They protected against eroson and the destruction of natural resources. There were CCC camps in every state. This put unemployed men to good use and helped protect resources.

Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act

Apr 27, 1935

This act was passed in an effort to control Dust Bowl storms, erosion, land use and conservation. During this time, the largest migration of Americans in US history occurred, and this act attempted to control it.

Bald Eagle Preservation Act

Jun 8, 1940

This act was passed in an effort to prevent the extinction of the national symbol. This law was effective, considering the bald eagle was removed from the endangered species list in 2007. This effects us especially because it is our national symbol.

The Antarctic Treaty

Dec 1, 1959

This protected Antarctica from the dumping of nuclear waste. 46 countries have signed the treaty. Antarctica is a beautiful place, and many countries are making an effort to conserve it, including the United States.

Silent Spring

Sep 27, 1962

This book by Rachel Carson warned about the dangers of pesticides, especially DDT, to water supplies and wildlife. This pesticide has since been outlawed. Although DDT did have some positive effects, including getting rid of mosquitoes, it was outlawed because of the harm to wildlife.

Clean Air Act

Dec 17, 1963

This regulated air pollution and emissions. Thej air is much cleaner today because of this.

Water Quality Act

Oct 2, 1965

This strengthened federal water pollution laws and outlined water quality guidelines for states. Easier for us to have clean drinking water today.

The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

Oct 2, 1968

Protects waterways from pollution, commercialization, and development. A wider rnage of waterways are beginning to be protected.

Cuyahoga River ignites

Jun 22, 1969

The chemicals and pollution on top of the water caught fire. Images of the fire were featured on TIME magazine, and sparked nationwide attention. The people became more aware of pollution in their communities.

The National Environmental Policy Act

Dec 31, 1969

One of the first laws to establish the broad national framework for protecting the environment. All branches must give consideration to the environment before building airports, buildings, etc.

The Environmental Protection Agency

Dec 2, 1970

The goal of this agency was to create conditions where man and nature can live in harmony. They help enforce laws passed by COngress regarding the environment. They help make sure that the laws are being followed properly.

"Crying Indian"

Apr 22, 1971

A commercial was aired on nationwide television, inspiring popular interes in the environemnt. People possibly became more involved and aware.

Endangered Species Act

Dec 28, 1973

This act protects endangered species, regarding hunting, etc.

Safe Drinking Water Act

Dec 17, 1974

This act protects Americans from contaminated drinking water. The EPA still regulates public drinking water, keeping Americans safe.

Superfund

Dec 11, 1980

This was established to provide funds for cleaning of uncontrolled and abandoned hazardous waste sites, along with accidents, spills and other emergency releases of pollutants or contaminants into the environment. This gives the EPA power to prosecute polluters.

The Montreal Protocol

Sep 16, 1987

First signed to eliminate ozone-depleting hydrocarbons from the environment. It is an international treaty. Since it came into effect, harmful ozone-depleting hydrocarbon production has decreased.

Julia Butterfly Hill

Dec 10, 1997

Lived for 735 days in the top of a tree to successfully block its destruction. This sends a message to onlookers to make a difference.

David Chain

Sep 17, 1998

David was killed by a tree felled by foresters while protesting in a forest to protect the destruction of old-growth redwood trees. Raises interest in the environment, and outrage as well.

Live Earth concerts

Jul 7, 2007

Concerts featuring popular artists to raise awareness of climate change. People are more aware of the environment because of the influence of these people.

San Francisco Oil Spill

Nov 7, 2007

58,000 gallons of oil spill into the San Francisco Bay. Scientists said that the oil could threaten the lives of the bay's birds, fish, invertebrates, and marine mammals for years to come. This raises awareness because of the concern people had for the animals.