Economics & Environmental Policy Timeline Project

Land Ordinance of 1785 and Northwest Ordinance

Jan 1, 1785

The federal governemnt had the rights to manage the unsettled lands. This policy is still in place.

Homestead Act of 1862

Jan 1, 1862

After the Citizens were living on their land for five years, they could claim 160 acres of public land. They could own the land for sixteen dollars. This policy is still in place.

General Mining Law (1872)

Jan 1, 1872

The act provided land for five dollars per acre. They could mine without government involvement. This policy is still in place.

National Park Service (1916)

Jan 1, 1916

Congress created the National Park Service so they could manage the growing number of national parks and monuments. This service is still in place.

First Eath Day

Apr 22, 1970

Twenty million Americans or more participated in this community service. Almost one billion people celebrate Earth Day now. This event is still in place.
Website: http://www.epa.gov/40th/timeline.html

Ocean Dumping Act

Oct 23, 1972

Congress made the marine protection, research, and sanctuaries act of Ocean Dumping to reduce the pollution in the ocean water. Within three years the EPA caught 75 contractors doing chemical dumping. This policy is still in place.
Website: http://www.epa.gov/40th/timeline.html

Jet-Plane Noise Control

Jan 31, 1975

The EPA announces to the Federal Aviation Administaction to lower the noise from the jetplanes. EPA had control under the 1972 Noise Control Act. In 1981 the noise control was phased out of the budget. This policy is still in place.
Website: http://www.epa.gov/40th/timeline.html

Three Mile Nuclear Accident

Mar 28, 1979

Near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania a severe meltdown of the Three Miles Island nuclear power plant raised an awareness about nuclear power safety. As a result EPA and other agencies began monitoring the radioactivity around Three Mile Island. The NRC was created to regulate nuclear facilities.
Website: http://www.epa.gov/40th/timeline.html

First Refinery Regulation

Jul 28, 1995

The EPA announces a rule to reduce air pollution. They announced it to petroleum refineries and all future sites. They cut 53,000-ton emissions and it benefitted 4.5 million Americans living near the refineries. This policy is still in place.
Website: http://www.epa.gov/40th/timeline.html

New Air Quality Standards

Jul 17, 1997

EPA issued new quality standards for smog and soot that will improve the air quality for 125 millions Americans. This policy is still in place.
Website: http://www.epa.gov/40th/timeline.html

Nation's First Greenhouse Gas Fual Efficiency Standars for Trucks and Buses

Oct 25, 2010

The program is to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions by about 250 million metric tons. Within the program's first five years, it saved 500 million barrels of oil over the lives of the vehicles produced within the program. This program is still in place.
Link: http://www.epa.gov/40th/timeline.html