Appendix I: Significant Dates in American Environmental History 295
Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement between the United States and Canada;
revised 1978; amended 1987.
United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm; marks
the beginning of the United Nation Environmental Programme (UNEP) and of a
global approach to environmental problems.
Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Waste and
Other Matter [London Dumping Convention (LDC)].
Convention on Biological Weapons bans germ warfare.
1973 Endangered Species Act; amended 1988.
Oil embargo by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL);
annexes added 1978; amended 1985.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and
Fauna (CITIES); amended 1979.
1974 Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requires the Environmental Protection Agency
to set national drinking water standards; amended 1986.
Energy Policy and Conservation Act establishes program to regulate auto fuel
economy and set corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards for cars and
light trucks; requires doubling of new passenger car efficiency to 27.5 miles/gal.
by 1985; creates strategic petroleum reserves.
World Watch Institute founded.
1976 Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) authorizes EPA regulation of PCBs, asbes-
tos, lead, and other toxic substances.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act sets rules for disposal of solid waste and
hazardous waste.
Fisheries Conservation and Management Act extends U.S. jurisdiction over marine
fisheries resources to within 200 miles of coast and establishes regional fisheries
councils made up of fishermen to regulate fishing activity.
Federal Land Policy and Management Act regulates lands adjacent to federal
lands.
1977 Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (Strip-Mining Act).
Department of Energy formed.
1978 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act imposes liability for oil pollution caused by
offshore operations.
Chlorofluorocarbons banned from use in spray cans.