Sprawl-generated fear of resource loss drove wetlands regulation in 15 states within a decade

Evidence

The hearings did not consider long-term solutions to the problem of wetlands loss, but a New York representative voiced the conclusion of a growing number of people across the country. “No reasonable man would argue that we do not need new homes, new industry to accommodate our population,” he said, “but neither would he deny that we must plan the growth and plan it wisely to protect the natural resources of the Nation as we grow. We must plan so that the communities we build may be livable, that we will be left with water to drink, air to breathe, fish and fowl to eat.” Ten years later, at least 15 states and 1,000 local governments had passed regulations to protect wetlands. — Adam Rome, The Bulldozer in the Countryside, 662

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Suburban sprawl made American overpopulation fears concrete decades after global warnings — Adam Rome, The Bulldozer in the Countryside:…, 549; By 1975, 23 states had acts protecting wetlands or shorelands — Adam Rome, The Bulldozer in the Countryside:…, 935