288 The Environmental Debate
1892 Sierra Club organized by John Muir.
1894 Carey Act distributes federal lands to various states on condition that they irrigate
the land.
Controversial clause declaring Adirondack Park “forever wild” added to New
York State Constitution
1895 American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society founded.
1896 Hawaiian koa finch becomes extinct.
1897 Forest Management Act defines purpose of forest reserves; amended in 1960 by
Multiple Use Act.
1898 Cornell University offers first college-level course in forestry.
Gifford Pinchot becomes head of the Division of Forestry in U.S.D.A.
Wildlife Conservation International formed.
1899 Rivers and Harbors Appropriations Act bans discharge of wastes into navigable
rivers and harbors without permission from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; first
federal antipollution law.
1900 Lacey Act forbids interstate shipment of game killed in violation of state laws.
William Orton breeds disease-resistant strains of cotton.
Society of American Foresters organized.
1902 Reclamation Act (Newlands Act) launches a federal land reclamation program,
and mandates establishment of Reclamation Service (now Bureau of Reclama-
tion) within the Department of the Interior.
1905 Transfer Act puts 86 million acres under domain of Forest Service.
National Audubon Society formed.
Responsibility for forest reserves transferred from the Department of the Interior
to the Department of Agriculture’s new Forest Service headed by Gifford Pinchot.
Pelican Island, Florida, set aside by President Theodore Roosevelt, with the goal
of protecting brown pelican nesting sites, as first national wildlife refuge.
1906 Pure Food and Drug Act attempts to prevent adulteration and mislabeling of foods
and drugs.
Antiquities Act allows areas of scientific or historical interest on federal land to be
set aside as national monuments.
Meat Inspection Act requires inspection of meat-packing plants to eliminate
unsanitary conditions; amended 1967 by Wholesome Meat Act.
1907 Inland Waterways Commission established.
Forest Reserve Act repealed.