Environmental Sciences Mrs. Kirby
Transcription
Environmental Sciences Mrs. Kirby
Environmental Sciences Mrs. Kirby Objectives Contrast exploitation, conservation, and preservation as they relate to natural resources management. Outline the history of conservation in the United States. Describe the role of the federal government in conservation. Exploitation Exploitation – use of natural resource without replacement. Industrial greatness was built upon our forests, water, iron, coal, oil, and other natural resources. Agricultural greatness was built upon soil and water resources. As a result, little thought was given to the future. What does this mean? History The history of this country has been one of exploitation, or using up, of our natural resources. Industrial greatness was built on our soil and water resources. Agricultural greatness was built on our soil and water resources. Conservation – the use of natural resources in such a way as to minimize waste and maintain the resource in as good a condition as is practical. Turn the Tide Challenges Wildlife Management The Early Years Game animals were plentiful or were they? Coastal living Rapid depletion 1630 regulations on deer hunting imposed (MA & CN) In 1844, the New York Sporting Club was formed aka New York State Protective Society. Market Hunters Market hunters – people who killed birds and animals to see their feathers, furs, and meat. 1890 – only 500,000 deer left in North America vs. Native Americans that only hunted for food. Close calls The Road Back The Lacey Act of 1900 made the interstate transportation of game taken against state law a federal crime. This was the first federal act dealing with wildlife. In 1916, US and Great Britain signed the Migratory Bird Treaty. In 1918, this treaty was passed. The first effective legislation for the protection of migratory waterfowl. (In this case fowl breeding in Canada and fly across the US every year.) Other Aids Changing patterns of land use also came to the aid of America’s disappearing game animals and birds. All across the eastern half of the US, farm acreage began to decline in the early 1900’s. This meant new forests began to spring up, which was ideal for habit life. By 1920’s the deer population began to return to the eastern region of the US. Laws In 1933, Aldo Leopold, a professor of game management at the University of Wisconsin, published Game Management. This book forms the basis for what we do today in wildlife management still today. In 1934, the Duck Stamp Act was passed. This law required waterfowl hunters to purchase a $1 stamp aka “duck” stamps. The money is used to protect and expand N. American waterfowl populatons. June 30, 1940 US Fish and Wildlife Service of The Dept. of Interior is established. Hunting & fishing permits generates millions of $. As a result: Deer populations are at their highest in this century. Alligators are so plentiful in FL, they are a nuisance. Wolves & coyotes are reappearing in parts of the US where they vanished. Forest Management Shortages: Earliest recorded timber shortage occurred in China 5,000 years ago. Egyptians experienced shortage 4,000 yrs. ago. Romans imported wood from conquered lands before the birth of Christ. By 1,000AD, Europeans were running out of wood. In 1626, Plymouth Colony passed America’s first ordinance controlling the sale of timber. History at a Glance 1650, several colonies had passed laws against burning forests. An exception to the rule – a gift from God. 1700’s-1800’s live oaks were preserved to build ships. In 1875, the American Forestry Association was organized to promote timber culture and forestry. In 1891, Congress authorized the creation of forestreserves. By 1900, 33 million acres of forest reserves had been set aside. National Forests President Theodore Roosevelt supported the Division of Forestry and upgraded it to bureau status. Gifford Pinchot became head of the USDA’s Forestry Division. In 1905, the reserves were renamed to national forests. Weeks Law of 1911 The Weeks Law of 1911 – gave the president authority to purchase forestlands for river watershed protection. Forest fires prevention and control measures were also authorized under this legislation. This officially linked soil and water conservation to forestry. Expansion World War II – need for timber in the expansion of the housing industry (The American Dream). Upsurge of private forestry in recent years. We now produce more wood in this country than we use. However, careful management is KEY to the future in forestry. Soil Conservation In the beginning, every worker in the US was either a full- or part-time farmer. Effects of erosion Jared Eliot (1685-1763) was one of the first to experiment with and write about soil erosion and drainage in America. Farmers failed to heed warnings. Water Management In the early years, water was the determining factor for where people would live, work, & play. Settlers only built homes where there was adequate water from lakes, streams, springs, or wells. Cisterns met some of this need. Cities could only be built where water could be supplied. Water was also used as a means of waste disposal. When cities built sewage systems, they were emptied into the river. Transportation & Flood Control Early interest in water management cam more out of concern for the forestry movement than genuine concern for water. In 1879, the Mississippi River Commission was set up to help the states improve the river as a waterway. In 1882, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts authorized its cities to purchase “municipal forests” to protect watersheds. The Rivers & Harbors Acts of 1917 & 1927 expanded the federal role in establishing and maintaining navigable waterways in this country. Intentions of Early Water Management Early emphasis in this country was not on water conservation, it was on water as a channel for transportation and water as a by-product of forestry. Erie Canal – connected the Great Lakes with the Hudson River in 1825. By late 1920’s the US government began to accept responsibility for flood control. Other Concerns 2nd major concern in water management arose – prevention of flooding. Flooding was a function of two problems: Loss of good forest cover led to greater runoff. Soil erosion led to clogging of waterways and silt deposits on streets, residences, & highways. The Flood Control Act of 1936 authorized the SCS to develop and implement plans for upstream soil & water conservation in order to reduce sedimentation & flooding.