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FWPCA
This was the first piece of legislation to ay down federal regulation f water quality. This is fully named the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. It was amended in 1956, 1965, and 1972. Through this, the government opened the door to environmental action -
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Eras of Reform
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Paul Ehrlich discovery
Paul Ehrlich was a student of the University of Pennsylvania and the authoy of "The Population Bomb". He studied zoology and noted the disappearance of butterflies in New Jersey and attributed it to the use of DDT during the building of subdivisions. Along with his discovery and hypothesis, a woman named Rachel Carson begins to research DDT's negative impacts. -
Nature Conservancy
Established in Washington, D.C. as a nonprofit organization. It's mission is to protect ecologically important lands and waters arounf the world. They nature conservancy prottected more than 119 million acres of land and 5,000 miles of rivers worldwide. This was under President Truman and had a very wide reach -
Resources for Freedom
The Paley Commission releases "Resources for Freedom" which details the U.S.'s increasing dependence on foreign sources of natural resources and argue for the necessity to transition to renewable energy. This is a pivotal piece because it outlines how we are reliant on other countries. It was one of the first to argue both for the dire need for Americans to stop their reliance on ouil and the potential for solar energy to fulfill that chasm. This is still one of the main arguments that continues -
Growing Awaremess
President Eisenhower speaks on the problem of air pollution in his State of the Union address. He also asks the Public Health Service to study "effective methods of control". This shows that the government is acknowledging the negative changes in the environment and is trying to change them -
APCA
The Air Pollution Control Act is passed. This is the first piece of legislation to address air pollution. Put regulation largely in the hands of individual states and gives no means of enforcement to the federal government. -
Rachel Carson
Silent Spring by Rachel Carson comes out in June. It has been acclaimed as the catalyst of the modern environmental movement. This book condemns the overuse of pesticides like DDT and through this book aids in getting DDT banned. -
Clean Air Act
This act passed in 1963. It allocated $95 million for the study and cleanup of air and water pollution. It gives the frderal government authority to reduce interstate air pollution, regulate emission standards for stationary pollution sources, and invest in technologies that will remove sulfur from coal and oil. It is laws like these that help make us slightly more efficient -
Endangered Species
The first legislation regarding endangered species passes, authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to list endangered domestic fish and wildlife. It also allotted $15 million a year in the protection of such species. This allows us to protect the environment and its living being from being further degraded. -
NEPA
Congress passes the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This requires every federa agency to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for any legislation. It resulted from the Santa Barbara oil spill a year before. This is helpful because we now know the impacts we will make. -
Earth Day
The first national Earth Day. This was a nationwide protest against environmental ignorance. This was the largest demonstration ever in American history. This shows how important the environment is to people and how we must take care of it. -
NRDC
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is established. IT's point was to provide citizens with the tools to draft environmental laws and lobby for their passage. -
EPA
The Environmental Protection Acct was formed by Nixon and Congress. This agency is primarily responsible for U.S. environmental policy. It is in charge of environmental legislation, ecological programs, and research -
NOAA
National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration created. It's purpose is to monitor and imporve conditions of the oceans. It enforces the sustainable use of resources of coastal and marine ecosystems. They also supply environmental information to the public. -
MMPA
The Marine Mammal Protection Act was passed. It protects al marine mammals from importation, exportation, hunting, capture, or any form of harrassment. It encourages natural resource maneagement in the United States. -
ESA
Endangered Species Act passed. This was passed to prevent the extinction of animals in the U.S. and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA carry out its stipulations.
