Protection acts
Eric Gonzalez
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (1948)
Industrial and urban growth caused by WWII led to pollution of rivers, streams, and lakes. It did not prohibit pollution entirely but gave limited authority to the federal government until the act was re-written in 1972
Safe Drinking Water Act (1974)
Amended in 1986 and 1996, the legal basis for regulating public drinking water in the US. The act was made because of contaminants found in the drinking water in the environment.
Marine Mammal Protection Act (1972)
Amended in 1994 to protect all marine mammals including cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) pinnipeds ( seals and sea lions) sirenians ( manatees and dugongs), sea otters, and polar bears within the US waters. These animals can not be taken without permission, harassed, fed, hunt, capture, or killed.