Major Acts Batch 1 Flashcards
1862, Homestead Act
Permitted settlers to claim 160 acre parcels in western US if they live on it for 5 years. Not enough rainfall to support agriculture. Enter, the reclamation act.
1902, Reclamation Act
Sale of public lands created a fund to construct water storage and irrigation, supplying water to the arid western states
1906, Antiquities Act
First law to provide protection for archeological and historic sites, designated national monuments
1924 and 1926, Standard State zoning enabling act
Confirmed states power to delegate police powers to municipalities
1928, standard city planning enabling act
Required adoption of a master plan by local governing bodies. Provided for establishment of regional planning and plans
1932, Federal Home Loan Bank System
12 regional banks established to refinance mortgages of financially distressed homeowners, and assist home finance institutions
1933, Public Works Administration
Used construction of public works projects as means of providing employment. Constructed airports, dams, hospitals and schools
1934 Indian Reorganization Act
Conserve and develop Indian lands. Basis for policies recognizing their right to self determination (home rule rights, less federal regulations applied)
1934, National Housing Act
Created the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to insure private mortgages. Encouraged banks to make loans for homes and small businesses. But only insured those meeting land use guidelines, which encouraged separating land uses, caused redlining, and favored lower density detached homes
1935, Historic Sites, Building and Antiquities Act
Secretary of interior to identify, acquire, restore historic sites. Predecessor to National Historic Preservation Act
1935, Works Progress Administration
New Deal era, provided work to the unemployed by funding construction projects, highways and buildings, rural rehabilitation and slum clearance
1935, Soil Conservation Act
Established U.S. conservation soil service (now Natural Resource Conservation Service) to conduct soil erosion surveys and implement mitigation measures
1937, Wagner Steagall Housing Act
Created the US Housing Authority, which became the Public Housing Administration. Represented a switch to empowering Local Housing Authorities to ID local housing needs, and construct and operate public housing projects. But they also did slum clearance.
1944, Federal Highway Act
FDR designated 65,000 km of roads into the national system of interstate highways, but no funding
1947, Housing and Home Finance Agency
Consolidated housing programs. Replaced the National Housing Agency, and predecessor to HUD, which came 20 years later.
1949, National Trust for Historic Preservation
Established private, non-profit member organization dedicated to saving and revitalizing historic places and communities
1949 Housing Act
First comprehensive housing bill, 800,000 new units constructed. But also, slum clearance and urban renewal.
1949 through1973
Era of urban renewal and displacement of low income communities.
1954 Housing Act
With housing programs building new units, needed better community planning. Section 701 supported comprehensive housing and community redevelopment planning, for communities less than 25,000. Supported the establishment of planning departments
1956, National Interstate and Defense Highway Act
Uniform design standards for federal highways, and funding for construction through the Highway Trust fund. Funded by excise taxes on new vehicles and gasoline sales tax. Largest public works project in nations history. And totally fucked us up with auto-oriented sprawl
1959 Housing Act
Federal funds for comprehensive planning at metro, regional and state level
1962, Federal Highway Act
Federal mandate for urban transportation planning
1964 Housing Act
Section 312 provided federal funding for home rehabilitation
1964, Wilderness Act
Established national wilderness preservation system for federally owned land, designated by congress and wilderness. No development, settlement, roads or mechanized transport
1964, Urban Mass Transportation Act
Required Feds to provide grants to local governments for public transport systems. $ can be used for capital and operating costs
1965 Housing and Urban Development Act
Created HUD which replaced the 20 year old HHFA. Rent subsidy for those below the poverty line, home loans at 3% interest, subsidies for public housing projects
1965, Economic Development Administration
Gave federal support for local economic development. Used unemployment and poverty statistics to focus funds. Projects like industrial parks and business incubators
1966, National Historic Preservation Act
Established national register of historic places. Section 106 provided for preservation of WORTHY sites threatened by federal activities. Each state has a historic preservation officer
1966 Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act
Created the Model Cities Program (community participation rather than top down planning for neighborhood revitalization) focused on social and economic, rather than physical. Phase out by Nixon, go figure.
1968, National Flood Insurance Act
Created flood insurance program, administered by FEMA . Requires elevation and flood proofing of properties in flood zones
1968 Civil Rights
AKA Fair Housing Act. Prohibited housing discrimination in Title 8, but wasn’t really enforced
1968 Housing and Urban Development Act (take two)
New Communities Act, provided funding for private development of new towns, 6 million units. Local governments receiving funds had to have a housing plan, and affirmative action housing programs.
1969, NEPA
Required EIS for federal funded projects. Allows evaluation of more than just natural resources. Social, economic, cultural environment as well.
1970 Housing and Urban Development Act (take three)
Created CDCs for economic and community development in central cities and low income areas
1970, Clean Air Act
Limits air pollution by regulating air emissions from stationary and mobile sources. Created national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). Requires none attainment areas (not meeting standards) to develop strategies to achieve compliance. State have PRIMACY, meaning authority to enforce
1972, Coastal Zone Management Act
Administered by NOAA. Applies only to states with coastline. Voluntary participation in creating coastal management programs to meet minimum federal standards.
1972, Clean Water Act
Used permit process to control point source pollution, and set wastewater standards for industry. Section 404 requires permit for fill material in wetlands
1973, Endangered species Act
Established a list of species, and requires planning projects to consult fish and wildlife to determine if project will harm wildlife. Applies to private and public lands.
1974, Safe Drinking Water Act
Set standards for above and below ground drinking water
