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Overview

Up until the 1960s, environmental regulation in the United States was mostly left to state and local governments. There was very little, if any, national control. Since most regulation occurred at the city and state government level, it was difficult for authorities to enforce laws beyond their own territories, especially if the source of the pollution emanated from another region or state. Business and industries that caused large amounts of pollution could affect vast areas around them with little concern of either discovery or the payment of legal reparations.

The climate during the 1960s was ripe for the federal government to adopt a national strategy on environmental regulation. The country was becoming more aware that complete freedom for business and industry resulted in large scale environmental damage and that safety limits needed to be instituted to protect waterways, air, natural resources, and scenic...