Environment and Natural Resource: 1968-1980 - AP U.S. History

1. What was the primary goal of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established in 1970?

   To protect human health and the environment. Established to consolidate environmental oversight under one federal agency.

2. Identify one key provision of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

   Environmental impact statements (EIS). Requires federal agencies to assess environmental impacts before major projects.

3. Which act established the Superfund program to clean up contaminated sites?

   Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Also known as Superfund, funds cleanup of abandoned hazardous waste sites.

4. What was the primary environmental concern addressed by the 1972 Clean Water Act?

   Water pollution. Aimed to restore and maintain chemical, physical, and biological water integrity.

5. Which organization was founded in 1971 to address global environmental issues?

   Greenpeace. Founded to protest nuclear testing and promote environmental protection worldwide.

6. Identify the year the Energy Policy and Conservation Act was enacted to address energy conservation.

   1975. Responded to the 1973 oil crisis by mandating fuel efficiency standards.

7. What significant environmental event is celebrated annually on April 22 since 1970?

   Earth Day. First celebrated in 1970, mobilizing 20 million Americans for environmental awareness.

8. Which law established a tax on chemical and petroleum industries to fund cleanup of hazardous sites?

   Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Created the Superfund program to clean up the nation's worst toxic sites.

9. What legislation was enacted in 1972 to regulate the discharge of pollutants into U.S. waters?

   Clean Water Act. Established federal standards for water quality and pollution discharge permits.

10. Identify the main objective of the 1975 Energy Policy and Conservation Act.

    Reduce energy consumption and promote efficiency. Response to 1973 oil embargo, establishing fuel economy standards for vehicles.

11. What was the primary purpose of the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976?

    Regulate chemicals and their use. Gave EPA authority to test and restrict chemicals before market introduction.

12. Which U.S. President signed the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in 1970?

    Richard Nixon. Nixon established NEPA despite being typically pro-business, showing bipartisan environmental concern.

13. Identify the primary focus of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972.

    Protect marine mammals from human activities. Prohibited hunting, capturing, or harassing marine mammals in US waters.

14. Which act was amended in 1977 to address surface mining and reclamation?

    Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act. Regulated strip mining and required restoration of mined lands to original condition.

15. Identify the main environmental concern addressed by the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974.

    Protecting public drinking water. Established federal standards for drinking water quality and safety nationwide.

16. Identify the year that marked the first celebration of Earth Day.

    1970. Coordinated by Senator Gaylord Nelson, demonstrated massive public environmental concern.

17. What was the primary focus of the 1977 amendments to the Clean Air Act?

    Reduce air pollution from industrial sources. Addressed non-attainment areas and required states to meet air quality standards.

18. What does the Clean Air Act primarily aim to control?

    Air pollution. Sets national standards for six major air pollutants harmful to public health.

19. Which federal agency is tasked with enforcing the Endangered Species Act?

    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Department of Interior agency responsible for wildlife conservation and species protection.

20. What was Love Canal, and why was it significant in environmental history?

    A hazardous waste site that led to health issues. Community contamination forced 239 families to evacuate, highlighting toxic waste dangers.

21. What was the main focus of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976?

    Waste management and disposal. Regulated hazardous waste from generation to disposal to protect public health.

22. What does the acronym EPA stand for in environmental regulation?

    Environmental Protection Agency. Federal agency created in 1970 to enforce environmental laws and regulations.

23. Name one of the initial goals of the Environmental Protection Agency when it was founded.

    Regulate pollutants and protect resources. Consolidated environmental enforcement previously scattered across multiple federal agencies.

24. Which 1970s movement emphasized the interconnectedness of human activities and the environment?

    Environmental movement. Grew from 1970s activism emphasizing humans' responsibility to protect nature.

25. Which major oil spill in 1969 contributed to the environmental legislation of the 1970s?

    Santa Barbara oil spill. Massive California offshore spill galvanized public support for environmental protection.

26. What major environmental disaster in 1969 prompted increased focus on water pollution?

    Cuyahoga River fire. River caught fire due to pollution, shocking the nation about water contamination.

27. What role did the Sierra Club play in the 1970s environmental movement?

    Advocacy and lobbying for environmental protection. Founded in 1892, became major advocate for wilderness preservation and environmental laws.

28. Which act was passed in 1973 to protect endangered species and their habitats?

    Endangered Species Act. Provided federal protection for species threatened with extinction and their habitats.

29. Which environmental legislation focused on regulating pesticides in 1972?

    Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Required EPA registration and regulation of all pesticides sold in the US.

30. What is a major environmental concern highlighted by the Love Canal incident?

    Hazardous waste contamination. Demonstrated how industrial waste can contaminate communities and cause health problems.

31. What is the significance of Earth Day in the context of environmental awareness?

    Promotes environmental protection awareness. Annual event mobilizes public support for environmental protection and education.

32. What was the purpose of the 1977 amendments to the Clean Water Act?

    Strengthen water pollution controls. Extended deadlines and strengthened enforcement of water pollution standards.

33. Which agency is responsible for the enforcement of the Clean Air Act?

    Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA sets and enforces national air quality standards under this legislation.

34. Identify the year the Clean Air Act was significantly amended to address air pollution.

    1970. Major amendments established national air quality standards and enforcement mechanisms.

35. Which organization monitors air quality standards in the United States?

    Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA establishes and monitors compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

36. Which 1970s act provided comprehensive federal oversight over chemical substances?

    Toxic Substances Control Act. First major law giving EPA authority to regulate industrial chemicals comprehensively.

37. Which environmental issue was a focus of the United States during the 1970s energy crisis?

    Oil dependence and energy conservation. 1973 embargo highlighted need to reduce foreign oil reliance through conservation.

38. What is one of the primary pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act?

    Sulfur dioxide (SO₂). Major air pollutant from fossil fuel combustion that causes acid rain.

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