294 The Environmental Debate
1969 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) creates the Council on Environmental
Quality; requires environmental impact statements before major federal actions.
Oil spill near Santa Barbara, California.
Union of Concerned Scientists founded.
1970 Resource Recovery Act shifts focus of waste disposal from solid waste disposal to
control, recovery, and recycling.
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) establishes federal program to set
standards for and enforce workplace safety and health.
Clean Air Act Amendments; further amendments 1977, 1990.
Environmental Education Act ensures that teachers receive supplemental educa-
tion in environmental issues; amended 1974.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration established.
Environmental Protection Agency established.
Natural Resources Defense Council founded.
League of Conservation Voters formed
First Earth Day celebrated on April 22.
1971 Greenpeace founded.
International Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, Especially as
Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention); protocol added in 1982.
1972 Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments (popularly known as the Clean
Water Act [CWA]) forbids discharge of pollutants into navigable waters; further
amendments 1977, 1987.
Marine Mammal Protection Act aims to protect and conserve marine mammals
and to encourage international research; amended 1988.
Environmental Pesticide Control Act.
Coastal Zone Management Act.
Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (Ocean Dumping Act); amended
1977, 1988.
Federal Environmental Pesticide Control Act expands product registration, labe-
ling, and environmental protection and expands monitoring of pesticide residues
in food and water.
Noise Control Act.
Sierra Club v. Morton raises the issue of the rights of nature in a court of law.
Oregon passes first state bottle recycling law. Environmental Protection Agency
bans interstate sales of DDT.