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Environment and Public Works Committee
The series contains records on issues addressed by the Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW). The committee has jurisdiction over federal land management, interstate highway system, navigation projects, air and water pollution control, natural disaster relief, rural and community economic development, endangered species protection, wildlife refuges, and nonmilitary nuclear power regulation. The committee also maintains oversight in programs conducted by the Departments of Transportation, Commerce, Agriculture, and Interior.
Senator Chafee served on the Environment and Public Works Committee from 1977-1999 and was appointed committee Chairman from 1995-1999. His accomplishments include strengthening the Endangered Species Act, Superfund programs, ocean dumping bans, Safe Drinking Water act, Clean Water Act, and Clean Air Act. He authored the Coastal Barrier Resources Act, which ended federal assistance for new construction on undeveloped coastal barrier beaches. He also helped create oil spill prevention and liability legislation (Oil Pollution Act), wildlife protection (Lacey Act), open space conservation ( Pettaquamscutt National Wildlife Refuge), and historic preservation legislation ( Blackstone Valley National Heritage Corridor).
The records consist of memoranda, speeches, notes, bills, news articles, press releases, committee hearing testimonies, government and non-government studies and reports. Subjects include International Wildlife Resources Conservation Act (1980-1983), hazardous waste management, resource conservation and recovery, industrial waste recovery, striped bass protection, clean coal technology, Superfund programs, and nuclear power regulations. The series also contains are records detailing committee hearings on the Environmental Protection Agency's ocean incineration policy, oil spill liability, and resource conservation legislation. Subjects regarding the environment and natural resources can also be found in the Environment and Subject File series.
Subjects also include: Art Hazards (1979-1985), includes reports from the Center for Occupational Hazards and the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group concerning the effects of arts and crafts supplies on women's' reproductive health and children's health. Blackstone River National Park (1985-1986), regarding the efforts to establish a national park on the Blackstone River. Included are speeches, memoranda, and floor statements by Senators Chafee and Pell urging congressional members to endorse a bill designating the Blackstone River and Canal running from Providence to Worcester a national heritage corridor.
Energy (1985), regarding the Environmental and Energy Study Convention, consumption and expenditure reports, and radioactive waste disposal.
Energy Efficient America Act (1984-1985), concerning legislation linking energy conservation and employment by establishing a federal program to etherize 13 million low-income households.
Fishing Vessel Bill (1985), regarding legislative efforts to establish a Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Advisory Committee to address the problem of escalating insurance rates for fishing vessels.
Highways (1984-1985), concerning legislation cosponsored by Senator Chafee to authorize funding for highway projects. The bill also called for greater flexibility for Rhode Island in the use of its federal highway funds.
Industrial Cost Recovery Act (1977-1979), concerning the debate over whether to reenact the bill after its moratorium in 1977. The Industrial Cost Recovery Act required that industrial users of municipal treatment plants pay a portion of the federal share of the plant's construction costs which could be attributed to the treatment of industrial wastes.
Nuclear Power (1978), regarding proposals for a moratorium on continued construction of nuclear facilities in the United States. Subjects also include nuclear waste management plans, authorization for federal funding of nuclear projects, and the impact of nuclear power sites on the environment. The records include a Tour and Briefing report on the Three Mile Island Nuclear Station by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Ocean Dumping (1978-1984), regarding amendments to The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act which prohibited dumping of sewage sludge that would endanger or degrade human health, welfare, or the marine environment.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (1978-1985), prohibiting placement of containerized liquids in landfills. Subjects include hazardous waste dumping cases, and hazardous waste injection wells.
Striped Bass (1979-1985), regarding legislative and scientific efforts to curb the contamination of marine environments where striped bass spawn and feed. The records include studies by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Congressional Research Service, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
Water Pollution Control (1977-1978), containing amendments to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act designed to protect lakes, streams, swamps, marshes, bogs, and other aquatic ecosystems.
The folders are arranged alphabetically by subject
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1977-1996
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