The Nixon Presidency Begins

 For Thursday:

• Richard Nixon, memorandum, December 4, 1970, https://www.nixonlibrary.gov/sites/default/files/virtuallibrary/documents/donated/120470_nixon.pdf and on the "resources" folder for the Sakai class page.  Title: "Warmth."

"The Haunting" -- simultaneously embracing and repudiating the JFK Legacy, and worrying about Ted Kennedy -- more on Thursday

The 1969 inaugural:

Organizational Structure -- early 1970s chart

RN had a pretty darn good record on Native Americans.

RN and the Environment:

What triggered the movement?

• “In a flat choice between smoke and jobs, we’re for jobs,” Nixon told Ehrlichman. “But just keep me out of trouble on environmental issues.”
• In 1969, the Cuyahoga River caught fire (again)
• In 1969, an oil spill devastated Santa Barbara beaches
• More than fifty years ago, Moynihan foresaw climate change.

Nixon policy

• The National Environmental Policy Act (1969), which among other things required that all federal agencies produce environmental impact statements on the possible negative effects of any and all regulations. It also created the President’s Council on Environmental Quality.
• The Environmental Protection Agency (1970).  NOTE:  WE SHALL SEE RUCKELSHAUS AGAIN ... AND AGAIN.
• The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA, 1970). Proposed by Nixon “...for better protection of life and property from natural hazards…for a better understanding of the total environment…[and] for exploration and development leading to the intelligent use of our marine resources…” 
• The Clean Air Act (1970).
• Earth Week (1971). OK, something of a gimmick, but still, Nixon endorsed it to commemorate the first anniversary of Earth Day. 
• The Clean Water Act (1972). If this is beginning to sound like the green legislation hall of fame, it’s not just you.
• The Endangered Species Act (1973): Even if this was all Nixon had achieved, he would rank among one of our greenest presidents.