Environmental Protection Agency
"EPA today may be said without exaggeration to be the extended shadow of Rachel Carson"
- - Birth of EPA, Environment Protection Agency, Nov. 1985
- - Birth of EPA, Environment Protection Agency, Nov. 1985
The culmination of Carson’s legacy and actions was the establishment of the EPA - which marked a turning point in the American government’s attitude toward the environment.
Creation of the EPA - July 9, 1970
EPA Logo, Challenge.gov
"President Nixon called for "a strong, independent agency." The mission of this "Environmental Protection Agency" would be to:
- Establish and enforce environmental protection standards.
- Conduct environmental research.
- Provide assistance to others combatting environmental pollution.
- Assist the CEQ [Council on Environmental Quality] in developing and recommending to the President new policies for environmental protection."
First significant act
Smog and Cars, EPA website
Clean Air Act of 1970
"Congress authorizes EPA to set national air quality, auto emission, and anti-pollution standards. In its first 20 years, the Clean Air Act prevented more than 200,000 premature deaths by significantly reducing the presence of lead, sulfur dioxide and other harmful pollutants in the air."
- EPA History, EPA website.
"Congress authorizes EPA to set national air quality, auto emission, and anti-pollution standards. In its first 20 years, the Clean Air Act prevented more than 200,000 premature deaths by significantly reducing the presence of lead, sulfur dioxide and other harmful pollutants in the air."
- EPA History, EPA website.
Present
"More pollution is being treated: Sixty-percent more Americans were served by publicly-owned wastewater treatment facilities from 1968 to 2008...Waterways are clearer: In a study of lakes from the 1970s to 2007, water quality improved...Today, more than 2,000 water bodies identified as impaired in 2002 now meet water quality standards.
- EPA at 40, EPA website
- EPA at 40, EPA website
Hover over images to see captions
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"As part of the BP Oil Spill, Region 6 EPA
Mobile Command Post keeps tabs on monitoring and sampling efforts in Venice,
Louisiana."
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"More than 700 pounds of hazardous waste and 170 tons of trash was removed by the California Integrated Waste Management Board and the Yurok Tribe from this illegal dump at Tully Creek, California."
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"EPA workers clean up residential mercury spill in Nevada."
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"EPA's NPDES vessels program regulates incidental discharges from the normal operation of vessels consistent with section 402 of the Clean Water Act."
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"EPA's Dredged Material Management Program supports environmentally responsible dredged material planning and management. "
Images and captions from EPA website
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"Some critics believe that the EPA has too much authority and can stifle economic development. In contrast, others criticize the EPA for not doing enough to control pollution." - "A Legacy of Silent Spring", Michigan State Museum |
Ariail, Robert. EPA Regs. 08 Dec. 2009
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