Major Acts Batch 1

Question 1

1862, Homestead Act

Answer 1

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.

Question 2

1902, Reclamation Act

Answer 2

Sale of public lands created a fund to construct water storage and irrigation, supplying water to the arid western states

Question 3

1906, Antiquities Act

Answer 3

First law to provide protection for archeological and historic sites, designated national monuments

Question 4

1924 and 1926, Standard State zoning enabling act

Answer 4

Confirmed states power to delegate police powers to municipalities

Question 5

1928, standard city planning enabling act

Answer 5

Required adoption of a master plan by local governing bodies. Provided for establishment of regional planning and plans

Question 6

1932, Federal Home Loan Bank System

Answer 6

12 regional banks established to refinance mortgages of financially distressed homeowners, and assist home finance institutions

Question 7

1933, Public Works Administration

Answer 7

Used construction of public works projects as means of providing employment. Constructed airports, dams, hospitals and schools

Question 8

1934 Indian Reorganization Act

Answer 8

Conserve and develop Indian lands. Basis for policies recognizing their right to self determination (home rule rights, less federal regulations applied)

Question 9

1934, National Housing Act

Answer 9

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

Question 10

1935, Historic Sites, Building and Antiquities Act

Answer 10

Secretary of interior to identify, acquire, restore historic sites. Predecessor to National Historic Preservation Act

Question 11

1935, Works Progress Administration

Answer 11

New Deal era, provided work to the unemployed by funding construction projects, highways and buildings, rural rehabilitation and slum clearance

Question 12

1935, Soil Conservation Act

Answer 12

Established U.S. conservation soil service (now Natural Resource Conservation Service) to conduct soil erosion surveys and implement mitigation measures

Question 13

1937, Wagner Steagall Housing Act

Answer 13

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.

Question 14

1944, Federal Highway Act

Answer 14

FDR designated 65,000 km of roads into the national system of interstate highways, but no funding

Question 15

1947, Housing and Home Finance Agency

Answer 15

Consolidated housing programs. Replaced the National Housing Agency, and predecessor to HUD, which came 20 years later.

Question 16

1949, National Trust for Historic Preservation

Answer 16

Established private, non-profit member organization dedicated to saving and revitalizing historic places and communities

Question 17

1949 Housing Act

Answer 17

First comprehensive housing bill, 800,000 new units constructed. But also, slum clearance and urban renewal.

Question 18

1949 through1973

Answer 18

Era of urban renewal and displacement of low income communities.

Question 19

1954 Housing Act

Answer 19

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

Question 20

1956, National Interstate and Defense Highway Act

Answer 20

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

Question 21

1959 Housing Act

Answer 21

Federal funds for comprehensive planning at metro, regional and state level

Question 22

1962, Federal Highway Act

Answer 22

Federal mandate for urban transportation planning

Question 23

1964 Housing Act

Answer 23

Section 312 provided federal funding for home rehabilitation

Question 24

1964, Wilderness Act

Answer 24

Established national wilderness preservation system for federally owned land, designated by congress and wilderness. No development, settlement, roads or mechanized transport

Question 25

1964, Urban Mass Transportation Act

Answer 25

Required Feds to provide grants to local governments for public transport systems. $ can be used for capital and operating costs

Question 26

1965 Housing and Urban Development Act

Answer 26

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

Question 27

1965, Economic Development Administration

Answer 27

Gave federal support for local economic development. Used unemployment and poverty statistics to focus funds. Projects like industrial parks and business incubators

Question 28

1966, National Historic Preservation Act

Answer 28

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

Question 29

1966 Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act

Answer 29

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.

Question 30

1968, National Flood Insurance Act

Answer 30

Created flood insurance program, administered by FEMA . Requires elevation and flood proofing of properties in flood zones

Question 31

1968 Civil Rights

Answer 31

AKA Fair Housing Act. Prohibited housing discrimination in Title 8, but wasn’t really enforced

Question 32

1968 Housing and Urban Development Act (take two)

Answer 32

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.

Question 33

1969, NEPA

Answer 33

Required EIS for federal funded projects. Allows evaluation of more than just natural resources. Social, economic, cultural environment as well.

Question 34

1970 Housing and Urban Development Act (take three)

Answer 34

Created CDCs for economic and community development in central cities and low income areas

Question 35

1970, Clean Air Act

Answer 35

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

Question 36

1972, Coastal Zone Management Act

Answer 36

Administered by NOAA. Applies only to states with coastline. Voluntary participation in creating coastal management programs to meet minimum federal standards.

Question 37

1972, Clean Water Act

Answer 37

Used permit process to control point source pollution, and set wastewater standards for industry. Section 404 requires permit for fill material in wetlands

Question 38

1973, Endangered species Act

Answer 38

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.

Question 39

1974, Safe Drinking Water Act

Answer 39

Set standards for above and below ground drinking water