FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITAT AND 



ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION — 



AN OVERVIEW OF RESEARCH PROGRESS 



Allan Hirsch 



Protection ot fish and wildlife resources is an important concern in regulating 

 environmental pollution. Publication (in 1962) of Rachel Carson's' The Silent 

 Spring, which eloquently described the effects of improper pesticide use on wildlife 

 populations, was a harbinger of the environmental movement of the following 

 decade. Federal and state water quality criteria and standards have embodied a 

 concern for protecting aquatic life as well as public health and other values. This 

 concern has been central to the e\olution of the national water pollution control 

 program. The impact of the Torrey Canyon, first of the major oil spills of the 

 supertanker era, was measured in terms of its effects on coastal ecosystems, fisheries 

 and marine bird populations. Since then, the oiled seabird has continued to be a 

 visible symbol of oil pollution. 



Fish and wildlife protection is provided for in key legislation administered by the 

 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For example, the objective of the Clean 

 Water Act (ee U.S.C. 466et seq.) is "...to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, 

 and biological integrity of the Nation's waters." The Act states as a national goal 

 "...water quality which provides for the protection and propagation offish, shellfish, 

 and wildlife." Other portions provide for the protection of wetlands, reflecting the 

 importance of wetlands for fish and wildlife as well as other values. 



The Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. 2601) and the Federal Insecticide. 

 Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. 1 36 et seq.). designed to regulate the use of 

 toxic chemicals which have an impact on the environment, both make pro\ ision for 

 the protection of fish and wildlife as well as for the public health. The Clean Air .Act 

 (42 U.S.C. 1857 et seq.). in its requirements relating to "Permissible Significant 

 Deterioration" of existing air qualit>, specifically protects Class I areas such as 

 National Parks and National Wildlife Refuges. The most recent major 

 environmental legislation is the Comprehensive Environmental Response, 

 Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601) which deals withdisposal 

 of hazardous wastes. Known as "Superfund," it provides for compensation of claims 

 for damage to natural resources, including restoration costs. 



In administering these and other legislative mandates, EPA has established as 

 broad goals the protection of public health and sensitive ecosystems. These goals are 

 complemented by those of other environmental legislation such as the National 

 Environmental Policy Act (16 U.S.C. 661-666). the Endangered Species Act (16 

 U.S.C. 1 53 I- 1 543). and the Surface M ining Control and Reclamation Act (30 U.S.C. 

 1201 ). .All contain important provisions involving the protection offish, wildlife, and 

 related ecosystems from environmental impacts. 



The Aiiiluir. IJr. Allun Hiisch is Director. Oliicc ol Environmental Processes und Eltects Research. Ollice ol 

 Research and Development. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Washington. D.C. In 25 years ot public 

 service, he has maintamed leadership in developing new ways of addressing natural resources planning His 

 lormer position was Chiel, Office of Biological Services. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Washington, D.C. 



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