Senator Jackson was an integral figure in the shaping of federal environmental policies during the 1960s and 1970s. Throughout his career he was committed to protecting and managing the environment wisely while also balancing economic interests. As chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for 18 years, he was instrumental in passing legislation authorizing national parks, diversifying energy resources, and providing public standards for land use decisions. Following is a history of the environmental legislation he sponsored.

 

For additional information, visit the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections which has an extensive and unique archive that holds documents, photos, films and other historical documents related to Senator Jackson's career.

 

1980

Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act

This act added more than 47 million acres to the National Park System and converted most of the national monuments in Alaska into national parks and preserves. This legislation more than doubled the size of the national park system.

1978

Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Amendment

The original act set up a framework for oil and natural gas leasing, exploration, and development activities on the outer continental shelf of the U.S. The amendment of 1978 required the secretary of the interior to submit an assessment each year of the cumulative effects of these activities on the human, marine, and coastal environments, and provided environmental oversight.

Endangered American Wilderness Act

This act designated 1.3 million acres of land in the western U.S. as wilderness areas, with the intent of preserving them for recreation and enjoyment.

Olympic National Park Expansion

Additional acreage was added to the Olympic National Park, bringing it to 922,000 acres-more than 95% of which remains in its natural state.

Redwoods National Park Expansion

This act addressed the problem of the encroachment upon parks by adjacent activities. The coastal redwoods in Redwood National Park were being threatened by logging activities outside the park boundaries. In 1978, Congress expanded the park boundaries to encompass the remaining watershed and ecosystem.

1977

Surface Mining and Reclamation Act

This act regulated surface coal mining operations and required that adverse impacts on fish, wildlife and related environmental values be minimized. It also created an Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund, which is used to restore and reclaim land and water resources affected by mining operations.

1976

Alpine Lakes Wilderness

This act established a vast wilderness that sits astride the Cascade crest.  The Alpine Lakes Wilderness comprises more than 360,000 diverse acres, and is home to some of Washington's premier outdoor destinations.

Federal Land Policy and Management Act

This act made the Bureau of Land Management a permanent entity within the federal government, and formalized and established policies for the use of huge areas of public land in the U.S.-especially in western states. Prior to its passage, much of the nation's public lands were not regulated to protect and sustain their value for future generations.

1970

Federal Lands for Parks and Recreation Act

This act made surplus federal land in urban areas available for purchase as park land at little or no cost to local authorities. This immediately benefited Seattle, where the recently decommissioned Fort Lawson was purchased to create both Discovery Park and 20 acres of tribal land where Daybreak Star Cultural Center opened in 1977.

Youth Conservation Corps Act

This act authorized a program employing young adults to work 90 days a year on federal parks and lands, where they are able to enhance the natural resources and appreciate the environment and the American heritage. It also made funding available for states to initiate similar programs directed toward state lands and waterways.

1969

Establishment of Redwoods National Park

This act created the Redwoods National Park to protect old-growth coastal redwoods, some of the world's tallest trees. The park totals 58,000 acres.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

This act established a national environmental policy, created the Council on Environmental Quality and required the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement assessing potential impacts to the environment before any major federal project or action was approved.  NEPA later became a model for similar legislation in Washington, and other states and nations.

1968

National Trail System Act and the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act

This act provided for the protection and preservation in free-flowing condition of selected rivers that possessed outstanding scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic or cultural values for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. It identified eight rivers and adjacent lands in nine states as initial components of the wild and scenic rivers system, and also named 27 other rivers or river segments to be studied as potential additions to the wild and scenic rivers system.

Establishment of North Cascades National Park

This act created the North Cascades National Park Service Complex, comprised of 684,000 acres of wild land.

1965

The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act

This act regulates admission and special recreation user fees at certain recreational areas and establishes a fund to subsidize state and federal acquisition of lands and waters for recreational and conservation purposes. The purposes of the act are to assist in preserving, developing and assuring accessibility to outdoor recreation resources and to strengthen the health and vitality of U.S. citizens by providing funds and authorizing federal assistance to states in planning, acquiring and developing land and water areas and facilities, and by providing funds for federal acquisition and development of lands and other areas.

1964

The Wilderness Act

This act established 9.1 million acres of federally protected wilderness in national forests for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans. It established a National Wilderness Preservation System, composed of federally owned areas designated by Congress as "wilderness areas" that would be administered in a way that would leave them unimpaired for the use and enjoyment of the American people as wilderness areas.