Chapter 21.2 outline: Environmental Policies in the United States

Struggle to use resources in a sustainable way

History of US Environmental Policy

1800s people used resources indiscriminately – prairie, forests, animals destroyed

1900s people began to recognize consequences

John Muir and Teddy Roosevelt called for increased protection and management of lands

Established national forests, parks, and agencies to manage them

1930s crop disasters, dust bowl -- poor farming practices causing soil erosion and poverty

Began to focus on soil conservation, waste disposal and pollution problems

1970 First Earth Day and the EPA created – enforces clean air and clean water acts

Set standards for acceptable levels of pollution

Uses regulations and economic incentives

Environmental concerns conflict with politics, migration, trade, personal freedoms

Environmental Impact Statements – governmental agencies are required to file this report for any proposed projects that would have a significant impact on the environment

Such as Dams, highways, airports

States the need for the project, impact, ways to minimize impact

Public feedback taken into consideration

Also used when proposals to change the way resources are used

Glen Canyon Dam upstream from the Grand Canyon

Unfunded Mandates and Economic Impacts

Limit federal governments ability to pass environmental laws

Can not have Unfunded mandates – regulations that do not provide funds for implementation.

Federal gov. must now pay for any new laws that cost more than 50 million to implement

Agencies must assess the environmental and economic impact

Influencing Economic Policy –

Individuals, consumers, businesses, media, and organizations can influence policy

Federal, state and local environmental laws

Individuals have more influence on local laws and representatives

Local Governments and planning boards, city councils, hold public meetings

Decide how land is used and developed, where businesses and housing are located

Plan public facilities like waste disposal and recycling

Often local governments do not work together

State governments – may set laws with higher standards than federal

California vehicle emissions standards to lessen air pollution

Have control over how to implement standards

Lobbying – organized attempt to influence law makers, urge them to vote a certain way

Both industry, businesses, and environmental groups, unions

Media and Sources of Information about environmental topics

Reports are often brief and leave out important info.

Should evaluate sources for bias and accuracy

Other sources are scientific reports, magazines, and Web sites, local meetings and news letters.