Appendix I: Significant Dates in American Environmental History 293
1964 Land and Water Conservation Fund Act sets aside funding for local, state, and
federal acquisition and development of land for parks and other open areas.
Wilderness Act establishes National Wilderness Preservation System, granting
protected status to wilderness areas and excluding them from mining and timber
cutting.
Surgeon General’s Report, Smoking and Health, links smoking to increased mor-
tality and identifies it as a contributing factor in several diseases.
1965 Scenic Hudson Preservation Conference v. Federal Power Commission establishes that
environmental factors as well as economic factors must be given consideration in
the planning of federal construction projects.
Highway Beautification Act bans many types of billboards from highways.
California Land Conservation Act (Williamson Act).
Water Quality Act gives the federal government power to enact water standards if
state action is lacking.
Conference on Natural Beauty hosted by Lyndon Johnson.
1966 Clean Water Restoration Act expands and centralizes water pollution programs in
Department of Interior; strengthens efforts in sewage treatment and water purifi-
cation.
National Historic Preservation Act.
Clean Air Act Amendments extend research efforts to reduce vehicle emissions
and establishes federal control over Air Quality Act establishes federal program of
air pollution control criteria, standards development, and enforcement.
1967 Air Quality Act establishes federal program of air pollution control criteria,
standards development, and enforcement.
Wholesale Meat Act expands and updates Meat Inspection Act of 1907.
Environmental Defense Fund established.
1968 Wild and Scenic Rivers Act identifies areas of scenic beauty for the purpose of set-
ting them aside for recreation and preservation.
Aircraft Noise Abatement Act is the first federal effort to deal with health hazards
of noise pollution.
National Trails System Act creates a national network of scenic, historic, and rec-
reation trails; amended 2009.
Wholesome Poultry Products Act makes poultry inspection similar to updated
meat inspection program.
California Air Resources Board created.