S36 SUPPLEMENT 5
Niagara Falls, New York, which was abandoned
when hazardous wastes began leaking into
yards, school grounds, and basements.
Carter also used the Antiquities Act of 1906
to triple the amount of land in the National
Wilderness System and double the area in the
National Park System (primarily by adding vast
tracts in Alaska). He used the Antiquities Act to
protect more public land, in all 50 states, than
any president before him had done.
What Happened during
the 1980s? Environmental
Backlash
Figure 8 summarizes some key environmental
events during the 1980s that shaped U.S. envi-
ronmental policy. During this decade, farmers
and ranchers and leaders of the oil, coal, auto-
mobile, mining, and timber industries strongly
opposed many of the environmental laws and
regulations developed in the 1960s and 1970s.
They organized and funded multiple efforts to
defeat environmental laws and regulations—
efforts that persist today.
In 1981, Ronald Reagan (a Republican,
1911–2004), a self-declared sagebrush rebel and
advocate of less federal control, became presi-
dent. During his 8 years in offi ce, he angered
environmentalists by appointing to key federal
positions people who opposed most existing
environmental and public land-use laws and
policies.
Reagan greatly increased private energy
and mineral development and timber cutting
on public lands. He also drastically cut federal
funding for research on energy conservation
and renewable energy resources and eliminated
tax incentives for residential solar energy and
energy conservation enacted during the Carter
administration. In addition, he lowered automo-
bile gas mileage standards and relaxed federal air
and water quality pollution standards.
Although Reagan was immensely popular,
many people strongly opposed his environmen-
tal and resource policies. This resulted in strongopposition in Congress, public outrage, and legal
challenges by environmental and conservation
organizations, whose memberships soared dur-
ing this period.
In 1988, an industry-backed, coalition called
the wise-use movement was formed. Its major
goals were to weaken or repeal most of the
country’s environmental laws and regulations
and destroy the effectiveness of the environ-
mental movement in the United States. Politi-
cally powerful coal, oil, mining, automobile,
timber, and ranching interests helped back this
movement.
Upon his election in 1989, George H. W.
Bush (a Republican) promised to be “the envi-
ronmental president.” But he received criti-
cism from environmentalists for not providing
leadership on such key environmental issues as
population growth, global warming, and loss of
biodiversity. He also continued support of ex-
ploitation of valuable resources on public lands
at giveaway prices. In addition, he allowed some
environmental laws to be undercut by the politi-1970s1970
First Earth Day. EPA established by President Richard Nixon.
Occupational Health and Safety Act promotes safe working conditions.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act regulates waste disposal and
encourages recycling and waste reduction. National Environmental Policy
Act passed. Clean Air Act passed. Natural Resources Defense Council created.1971
Biologist Barry
Commoner publishes
The Closing Circle
explaining ecological
problems and calling
for pollution prevention.1973
OPEC cuts off oil to the U.S.
and other nations supporting
Israel. Lead-Based Paint Poisoning
Act regulates use of lead in
toys and cooking and
eating utensils. Convention on
International Trade in
Endangered Species (CITES)
becomes international law.1975
Energy Policy and
Conservation Act
promotes energy
conservation.1976
National Forest Management Act establishes guidelines for managing
national forests.Toxic Substances Control Act regulates many toxic
substances not regulated under other laws. Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act requires tracking of hazardous waste and encourages
recycling, resource recovery, and waste reduction. Noise Control Act
regulates harmful noise levels. UN Conference on Human Settlements.1977
Clean Water Act strengthens
regulation of drinking water
quality, with additional
amendments in 1981 and 1987.
Surface Mining Control and
Reclamation Act regulates
surface mining and
encourages reclamation of
mined land. Amory B. Lovins
publishes Soft Energy Paths
calling for switching from fossil
fuels and nuclear power to
solar energy. U.S. Department
of Energy created.1978
Love Canal, New York,
housing development
evacuated because of
toxic wastes leaking from
old dumpsite. Federal
Land Policy and
Management Act
strengthens regulation of
public lands by the Bureau
of Land Management.1979
Accident at
Three Mile Island
nuclear power
plant in
Pennsylvania.
Oil shortage
because of
revolution in Iran.1974
Chemists Sherwood Roland and Mario
Molina suggest CFCs are depleting the
ozone in stratosphere. Lester Brown
founds the Worldwatch Institute. Safe
Drinking Water Act sets standards for
contaminants in public water supply.1972
Oregon passes first beverage bottle recycling law. Publication of Limits to Growth,
which challenges idea of unlimited economic growth. David Brower founds Earth
Island Institute. Federal Environmental Pesticide Control Act regulates registration
of pesticides based on tests and degree of risk. Ocean Dumping Act; Marine
Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act; and Coastal Zone Management Act
help regulate and protect oceans and coastal areas. Marine Mammal Protection Act
encourages protection and conservation of marine mammals. Consumer Product
Safety Act helps protect consumers from hazardous products. UN conference on the
Human Environment in Stockholm, Sweden.1970s
Figure 7 Some important environmental events during the 1970s, sometimes called the environmental
decade. Question: Which two of these events do you think were the most important?