Supporting standards comprise 35% of the U. S. History Test

14 (B)

Supporting Standard (14)The student understands the relationship

between population growth & modernization on the physical environment.

The Student is expected to:(B) Identify the roles of governmental entities &

private citizens in managing the environment such as the establishment of the National Park System, the Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA), & the Endangered Species Act

Supporting Standard (14)The student understands the relationship

between population growth & modernization on the physical environment.

The Student is expected to:(B) 1 Identify the roles of governmental

entities & private citizens in managing the environment such as the establishment of the

National Park System

The National Park Service (NPS) is an agency of the U. S. federal government that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations. It was created on August 25, 1916, by Congress through the

National Park Service Organic Act. It is an agency of the Department of Interior. Most of the direct management of the NPS is delegated by the Secretary of the Interior to the National

Park Service Director, who must be confirmed by the Senate. The 21,989 employees of the NPS oversee 401 units, of which 59 are designated national parks.

The National Park Service (NPS) is an agency of the U. S. federal government that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations. It was created on August 25, 1916, by Congress through the

National Park Service Organic Act. It is an agency of the Department of Interior. Most of the direct management of the NPS is delegated by the Secretary of the Interior to the National

Park Service Director, who must be confirmed by the Senate. The 21,989 employees of the NPS oversee 401 units, of which 59 are designated national parks.

In 1916, a portfolio of nine major parks was published to generate interest. Printed on each brochure was a map showing the parks and principal railroad connections. On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill that mandated the agency

“to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and wildlife therein, and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will

leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.” Mather became the first director of the newly formed NPS.

In 1916, a portfolio of nine major parks was published to generate interest. Printed on each brochure was a map showing the parks and principal railroad connections. On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill that mandated the agency

“to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and wildlife therein, and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will

leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.” Mather became the first director of the newly formed NPS.

On March 3, 1933, President Hoover signed the Reorganization Act of 1933. The act would allow the President to reorganize the executive branch of the United States government. It wasn’t until later that

summer when the new President, Franklin Roosevelt, made use of this power. Deputy Director Horace M. Albright had suggested to President Roosevelt that the historic sites from the American Civil War should be

managed by the National Park Service, rather than the War Department. President Roosevelt agreed and issued two Executive orders to make it happen. These two executive orders not only transferred to the

National Park Service all the War Department historic sites, but also the national monuments managed by the Department of Agriculture and the parks in and around the capital, which had been run by an

independent office.

On March 3, 1933, President Hoover signed the Reorganization Act of 1933. The act would allow the President to reorganize the executive branch of the United States government. It wasn’t until later that

summer when the new President, Franklin Roosevelt, made use of this power. Deputy Director Horace M. Albright had suggested to President Roosevelt that the historic sites from the American Civil War should be

managed by the National Park Service, rather than the War Department. President Roosevelt agreed and issued two Executive orders to make it happen. These two executive orders not only transferred to the

National Park Service all the War Department historic sites, but also the national monuments managed by the Department of Agriculture and the parks in and around the capital, which had been run by an

independent office.

In 1951, Conrad Wirth became director of the National Park Service and went to work on bringing park facilities up to the standards that the public expected. The demand

for parks after the end of the World War II had left the parks overburdened with demands that could not be met. In 1952, with the support of President Eisenhower, he began Mission 66, a ten-year effort to upgrade and expand park facilities for the 50th anniversary of the Park Service. New parks were added to preserve unique resources

and existing park facilities were upgraded and expanded.

In 1951, Conrad Wirth became director of the National Park Service and went to work on bringing park facilities up to the standards that the public expected. The demand

for parks after the end of the World War II had left the parks overburdened with demands that could not be met. In 1952, with the support of President Eisenhower, he began Mission 66, a ten-year effort to upgrade and expand park facilities for the 50th anniversary of the Park Service. New parks were added to preserve unique resources

and existing park facilities were upgraded and expanded.

In 1966, as the Park Service turned 50 years old, emphasis began to turn from just saving great and wonderful scenery and unique natural features to making parks accessible to the public. By the end of the

Twentieth Century, numerous National Heritage Areas were spread across the nation, preserving local parks for local people. Since its inception in 1916, the National Park Service has managed each of the United States’ national parks, which have grown in number over the years to 59. Yellowstone National Park was the first national park in the United States. In 1872, there was no state government to manage it, so the federal government assumed direct control. Yosemite National Park began as a state park; the land for the park

was donated by the federal government to the state of California in 1864 for perpetual conservation. Yosemite was later returned to federal ownership.

In 1966, as the Park Service turned 50 years old, emphasis began to turn from just saving great and wonderful scenery and unique natural features to making parks accessible to the public. By the end of the

Twentieth Century, numerous National Heritage Areas were spread across the nation, preserving local parks for local people. Since its inception in 1916, the National Park Service has managed each of the United States’ national parks, which have grown in number over the years to 59. Yellowstone National Park was the first national park in the United States. In 1872, there was no state government to manage it, so the federal government assumed direct control. Yosemite National Park began as a state park; the land for the park

was donated by the federal government to the state of California in 1864 for perpetual conservation. Yosemite was later returned to federal ownership.

A potential park should meet all four of the following standards:1. It is an outstanding example of a particular type of resource.2. It possesses exceptional value or quality in illustrating or interpreting the natural or cultural themes of our Nation’s heritage.3. It offers superlative opportunities for recreation, for public use and enjoyment, or for scientific study.4. It retains a high degree of integrity as a true, accurate, and relatively unspoiled example of the resource.

A potential park should meet all four of the following standards:1. It is an outstanding example of a particular type of resource.2. It possesses exceptional value or quality in illustrating or interpreting the natural or cultural themes of our Nation’s heritage.3. It offers superlative opportunities for recreation, for public use and enjoyment, or for scientific study.4. It retains a high degree of integrity as a true, accurate, and relatively unspoiled example of the resource.

Supporting Standard (14)The student understands the relationship

between population growth & modernization on the physical environment.

The Student is expected to:(B) 2 Identify the roles of governmental

entities & private citizens in managing the environment such as the establishment of the

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or sometimes USEPA) is an agency of the U.S. federal government which was created for the purpose of protecting human health and the environment by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress. The EPA was

proposed by President Richard Nixon and began operation on December 2, 1970, after Nixon signed an executive order. The order establishing the EPA was ratified by committee hearings in the House and Senate. The agency is led by its Administrator, who is appointed by the president

and approved by Congress. The current administrator is Gina McCarthy. The EPA is not a Cabinet department, but the administrator is normally given cabinet rank.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or sometimes USEPA) is an agency of the U.S. federal government which was created for the purpose of protecting human health and the environment by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress. The EPA was

proposed by President Richard Nixon and began operation on December 2, 1970, after Nixon signed an executive order. The order establishing the EPA was ratified by committee hearings in the House and Senate. The agency is led by its Administrator, who is appointed by the president

and approved by Congress. The current administrator is Gina McCarthy. The EPA is not a Cabinet department, but the administrator is normally given cabinet rank.

The EPA has its headquarters in Washington, D.C., regional offices for each of the agency’s ten regions, and 27 laboratories. The agency conducts environmental assessment, research, and education. It has the responsibility of maintaining and enforcing national standards under a

variety of environmental laws, in consultation with state, tribal, and local governments. It delegates some permitting, monitoring, and enforcement responsibility to U.S. states and the

federal recognized tribes. EPA enforcement powers include fines, sanctions, and other measures. The agency also works with industries and all levels of government in a wide variety of voluntary

pollution prevention programs and energy conservation efforts.

The EPA has its headquarters in Washington, D.C., regional offices for each of the agency’s ten regions, and 27 laboratories. The agency conducts environmental assessment, research, and education. It has the responsibility of maintaining and enforcing national standards under a

variety of environmental laws, in consultation with state, tribal, and local governments. It delegates some permitting, monitoring, and enforcement responsibility to U.S. states and the

federal recognized tribes. EPA enforcement powers include fines, sanctions, and other measures. The agency also works with industries and all levels of government in a wide variety of voluntary

pollution prevention programs and energy conservation efforts.

The agency has approximately 17,000 full-time employees and engages many more people on a contractual basis. More than

half of EPA human resources are engineers, scientists, and environmental protection specialists; other groups include

legal, public affairs, financial, and information technologists.

The agency has approximately 17,000 full-time employees and engages many more people on a contractual basis. More than

half of EPA human resources are engineers, scientists, and environmental protection specialists; other groups include

legal, public affairs, financial, and information technologists.

Beginning in the late 1950s and through the 1960s, Congress reacted to increasing public concern about the impact that human activity could have on the environment. A key legislative option to address this concern was the declaration of a national environmental policy. Advocates of this approach argued that without a

specific policy, federal agencies were neither able nor inclined to consider the environmental impacts of their actions in fulfilling the agency’s mission. The statute that ultimately addressed this issue was the National

Environmental Policy Act of 1969. In 1970, President Richard Nixon proposed an executive reorganization that would consolidate many of the federal government’s environmental responsibilities under one agency, a new Environmental Protection Agency. That reorganization proposal was reviewed and passed by the House

and Senate.

Beginning in the late 1950s and through the 1960s, Congress reacted to increasing public concern about the impact that human activity could have on the environment. A key legislative option to address this concern was the declaration of a national environmental policy. Advocates of this approach argued that without a

specific policy, federal agencies were neither able nor inclined to consider the environmental impacts of their actions in fulfilling the agency’s mission. The statute that ultimately addressed this issue was the National

Environmental Policy Act of 1969. In 1970, President Richard Nixon proposed an executive reorganization that would consolidate many of the federal government’s environmental responsibilities under one agency, a new Environmental Protection Agency. That reorganization proposal was reviewed and passed by the House

and Senate.

The EPA began regulating greenhouse gases (GHGs) from mobile and stationary sources of air pollution under the Clean Air Act (CAA) for the first time on

January 2, 2011. Standards for mobile sources have been established pursuant to Section 202 of the CAA, and GHGs from stationary sources are controlled under

the authority of Part C of Title I of the Act. See the page Regulation of Greenhouse Gases Under the Clean Air Act for further information.

The EPA began regulating greenhouse gases (GHGs) from mobile and stationary sources of air pollution under the Clean Air Act (CAA) for the first time on

January 2, 2011. Standards for mobile sources have been established pursuant to Section 202 of the CAA, and GHGs from stationary sources are controlled under

the authority of Part C of Title I of the Act. See the page Regulation of Greenhouse Gases Under the Clean Air Act for further information.

Supporting Standard (14)The student understands the relationship

between population growth & modernization on the physical environment.

The Student is expected to:(B) 3 Identify the roles of governmental

entities & private citizens in managing the environment such as the establishment of the

Endangered Species Act

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 is one of the dozens of U. S. environmental laws passed in the 1970s. Signed into law by President Nixon on December 28, 1973, it was designed to protect

critically imperiled species from extinction as a “consequence of economic growth and development untempered by adequate concern and conservation.” The Supreme Court found

that “the plain intent of Congress in enacting” the ESA “was to halt and reverse the trend toward species extinction, whatever the cost.” The Act is administered by two federal agencies,

the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 is one of the dozens of U. S. environmental laws passed in the 1970s. Signed into law by President Nixon on December 28, 1973, it was designed to protect

critically imperiled species from extinction as a “consequence of economic growth and development untempered by adequate concern and conservation.” The Supreme Court found

that “the plain intent of Congress in enacting” the ESA “was to halt and reverse the trend toward species extinction, whatever the cost.” The Act is administered by two federal agencies,

the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The ESA’s primary goal is to prevent the extinction of imperiled plant and animal life, and secondly, to

recover and maintain those populations by removing or lessening threats to their survival.

Listing status and its abbreviations used in Federal Register and by federal agencies

like FWS:

E = endangered—any species which is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range other than a species of the Class Insecta determined by the Secretary to constitute a pest.

T = threatened—any species which is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range

Other categories:C = candidate—a species under consideration for official listing

E(S/A), T(S/A)—endangered or threatened due to similarity of appearance—a species not endangered or threatened, but so closely resembles in appearance a species which has been listed as endangered or threatened, that enforcement personnel would have substantial difficulty in attempting

to differentiate between the listed and unlisted species.XE, XN = experimental essential or non-essential population—any population (including eggs, propagules, or individuals) of an endangered species

or a threatened species released outside the current range under authorization of the Secretary. Experimental, nonessential populations of endangered species are treated as threatened species on public land, for consultation purposes, and as species proposed for listing on private land.

E = endangered—any species which is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range other than a species of the Class Insecta determined by the Secretary to constitute a pest.

T = threatened—any species which is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range

Other categories:C = candidate—a species under consideration for official listing

E(S/A), T(S/A)—endangered or threatened due to similarity of appearance—a species not endangered or threatened, but so closely resembles in appearance a species which has been listed as endangered or threatened, that enforcement personnel would have substantial difficulty in attempting

to differentiate between the listed and unlisted species.XE, XN = experimental essential or non-essential population—any population (including eggs, propagules, or individuals) of an endangered species

or a threatened species released outside the current range under authorization of the Secretary. Experimental, nonessential populations of endangered species are treated as threatened species on public land, for consultation purposes, and as species proposed for listing on private land.

The near-extinction of the bison and the disappearance of the passenger pigeon helped drive the call for wildlife conservation starting in the 1900s.

Ornithologist George Bird Grinnell wrote articles on the subject in the magazine Forest and Stream, while Joel Asaph Allen, founder of the

American Ornithologists’ Union, hammered away in the popular press. The public was introduced to a new concept: extinction.

The near-extinction of the bison and the disappearance of the passenger pigeon helped drive the call for wildlife conservation starting in the 1900s.

Ornithologist George Bird Grinnell wrote articles on the subject in the magazine Forest and Stream, while Joel Asaph Allen, founder of the

American Ornithologists’ Union, hammered away in the popular press. The public was introduced to a new concept: extinction.

One species in particular received widespread attention—the Whooping Crane. The species' historical range extended from central Canada south to Mexico, and from Utah to the Atlantic coast. Unregulated hunting and habitat loss contributed to a steady decline in the Whooping Crane population until, by 1890, it had disappeared from its primary breeding range in the

north central United States. It would be another eight years before the first national law regulating wildlife commerce was signed, and another two years before the first version of the endangered species act was passed. The Whooping Crane population by 1941 was estimated at

about only 16 birds still in the wild.

One species in particular received widespread attention—the Whooping Crane. The species' historical range extended from central Canada south to Mexico, and from Utah to the Atlantic coast. Unregulated hunting and habitat loss contributed to a steady decline in the Whooping Crane population until, by 1890, it had disappeared from its primary breeding range in the

north central United States. It would be another eight years before the first national law regulating wildlife commerce was signed, and another two years before the first version of the endangered species act was passed. The Whooping Crane population by 1941 was estimated at

about only 16 birds still in the wild.

The predecessor of the ESA was the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966. Passed by Congress, this act permitted the listing of native U.S animal species as endangered and for limited protections upon those animals. It authorized the Secretary of the Interior to list endangered domestic fish and

wildlife and allowed the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to spend up to $15 million per year to buy habitats for listed species. It also directed federal land agencies to preserve habitat on their lands.

The Act also consolidated and even expanded authority for the Secretary of the Interior to manage and administer the National Wildlife Refuge System. Other public agencies were encouraged, but not

required, to protect species. The act did not address the commerce in endangered species and parts.

The predecessor of the ESA was the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966. Passed by Congress, this act permitted the listing of native U.S animal species as endangered and for limited protections upon those animals. It authorized the Secretary of the Interior to list endangered domestic fish and

wildlife and allowed the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to spend up to $15 million per year to buy habitats for listed species. It also directed federal land agencies to preserve habitat on their lands.

The Act also consolidated and even expanded authority for the Secretary of the Interior to manage and administer the National Wildlife Refuge System. Other public agencies were encouraged, but not

required, to protect species. The act did not address the commerce in endangered species and parts.

The Endangered Species Conservation Act, passed in December 1969, amended the original law to provide additional protection to species in danger of “worldwide

extinction” by prohibiting their importation and subsequent sale in the United States. It expanded the Lacey Act’s ban on interstate commerce to include mammals, reptiles,

amphibians, mollusks and crustaceans. Reptiles were added mainly to reduce the rampant poaching of alligators and crocodiles. This law was the first time that

invertebrates were included for protection.

The Endangered Species Conservation Act, passed in December 1969, amended the original law to provide additional protection to species in danger of “worldwide

extinction” by prohibiting their importation and subsequent sale in the United States. It expanded the Lacey Act’s ban on interstate commerce to include mammals, reptiles,

amphibians, mollusks and crustaceans. Reptiles were added mainly to reduce the rampant poaching of alligators and crocodiles. This law was the first time that

invertebrates were included for protection.

President Nixon declared current species conservation efforts to be inadequate and called on the 93rd U. S. Congress to pass comprehensive endangered species legislation. Congress responded with a

completely rewritten law, the Endangered Species Act of 1973 which was signed by Nixon on December 28, 1973. It was written by a team of lawyers and scientists, including the first appointed head of the

Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ),an outgrowth of NEPA (The “National Environmental Policy Act of 1969”). The stated purpose of the Endangered Species Act is to protect species and also “the ecosystems upon which they depend.” California historian Kevin Starr was more emphatic when he said: “The Endangered Species Act of 1982 is the Magna Carta of the environmental movement.”

President Nixon declared current species conservation efforts to be inadequate and called on the 93rd U. S. Congress to pass comprehensive endangered species legislation. Congress responded with a

completely rewritten law, the Endangered Species Act of 1973 which was signed by Nixon on December 28, 1973. It was written by a team of lawyers and scientists, including the first appointed head of the

Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ),an outgrowth of NEPA (The “National Environmental Policy Act of 1969”). The stated purpose of the Endangered Species Act is to protect species and also “the ecosystems upon which they depend.” California historian Kevin Starr was more emphatic when he said: “The Endangered Species Act of 1982 is the Magna Carta of the environmental movement.”

Effectiveness

As of September 2012, fifty-six species have been delisted; twenty-eight due to recovery, ten due to extinction (seven of which are believed to have been extinct

prior to being listed), ten due to changes in taxonomic classification practices, six due to discovery of new populations, one due to an error in the listing rule, and one

due to an amendment to the Endangered Species Act specifically requiring the species delisting. Twenty-five others have been down listed from “endangered” to

“threatened” status.

As of September 2012, fifty-six species have been delisted; twenty-eight due to recovery, ten due to extinction (seven of which are believed to have been extinct

prior to being listed), ten due to changes in taxonomic classification practices, six due to discovery of new populations, one due to an error in the listing rule, and one

due to an amendment to the Endangered Species Act specifically requiring the species delisting. Twenty-five others have been down listed from “endangered” to

“threatened” status.

Species which increased in population size since being placed on the endangered list include:Bald Eagle (increased from 417 to 11,040 pairs between 1963 and 2007); removed from list 2007

Whooping Crane (increased from 54 to 436 birds between 1967 and 2003)Kirtland's Warbler (increased from 210 to 1,415 pairs between 1971 and 2005)

Peregrine Falcon (increased from 324 to 1,700 pairs between 1975 and 2000); removed from listGray Wolf (populations increased dramatically in the Northern Rockies, Southwest, and Great Lakes)

Gray Whale (increased from 13,095 to 26,635 whales between 1968 and 1998); removed from list (Debated because whaling was banned before the ESA was set in place and that the ESA had nothing to do with the

natural population increase since the cease of massive whaling [excluding Native American tribal whaling])

Appendix—Endangered animals

Appendix—Endangered animals (ctd.)

Grizzly bear (increased from about 271 to over 580 bears in the Yellowstone area between 1975 and 2005); removed from list 3/22/07

California’s Southern Sea Otter (increased from 1,789 in 1976 to 2,735 in 2005)San Clemente Indian Paintbrush (increased from 500 plants in 1979 to more than 3,500 in 1997)

Red Wolf (increased from 17 in 1980 to 257 in 2003)Florida's Key Deer (increased from 200 in 1971 to 750 in 2001)

Big Bend Gambusia (increased from a couple dozen to a population of over 50,000)Hawaiian Goose (increased from 400 birds in 1980 to 1,275 in 2003)

Virginia Big-Eared Bat (increased from 3,500 in 1979 to 18,442 in 2004)Black-Footed Ferret (increased from 18 in 1986 to 600 in 2006)

Fini