Environmental Pollution Control In New York City 1945-2000

Industrialization and urbanization in the United States entered a new stage after World War Ⅱ,in which the problem of urban environmental pollution became increasingly prominent.As a typical city of high density and also the most populous city in the United States,New York City’s post-World War Ⅱ journey to combat environmental pollution is an important case to enhance our understanding of American urban history and urban environmental issues.Current research mainly focuses on several issues,including the changes of natural environment in New York City,public health reforms during the Progressive era,and some environmental issues faced by postwar New York.However,there is no systematic examination of the city’s experience of pollution control during post-WWII era.Solid waste,water and air pollution were the major pollution issues faced by postwar American cities and the main target of American environmental policies.To deepen our understanding of postwar American urban and environmental history,it is necessary to take a systematic examination on the history of environmental pollution control in New York City as a case study.The experience of New York City reflects the complex interactions between local,state and federal governments in the United States.Under the federal system,local governments are fundamental units in environmental pollution management and are subject to the state and federal governments in terms of sources of authority and financial funding.However,New York City’s pollution control actions used to precede those of the state and federal governments.As early as the mid-19th century,New York City government took in charge of solid waste removal and disposal while it was not until the 1960s that federal legislation in this area emerged.As early as the 1930s New York City took on the treatment of municipal sewage,predating the first federal Water Pollution Control Act.Federal air pollution control legislation emerged only after local communities such as New York City and Los Angeles County started the control of air pollution.But as the environmental movement moved into a period of strict federal control and generous funding,local governments were not only subject to stricter environmental constraints,but also became more dependent on the federal government for financial funding.New York was often caught between meeting federal environmental quality standards and struggling to fund them.Needless to say,the fluctuations in federal environmental policy since the 1980s have also affected pollution control in New York City.Regional/Cross-regional connections are another important feature of New York experience.In theory,a city’s administrative boundaries are the limits of its jurisdiction,and the city is responsible for dealing with pollution problems within these boundaries.However,the experience of New York City shows that regional connections are an important aspect of pollution control in American cities.In terms of technology,New York City has been deeply influenced by solid waste disposal and combined sewer technologies imported from Europe since the mid-19th century.In terms the practice of pollution control,the city’s unique geographical location means that its pollution is a regional problem,and the process of pollution control is accompanied by conflicts and cooperation between communities.The dispute between City of New York and State of New Jersey over ocean dumping,the mutual accusations over air pollution and the establishment of air pollution control zones,and the collaboration between states in abating water pollution under the framework of the Interstate Sanitation Commission all indicate the regional connections of urban environmental pollution in the United States.Following these main ideas,the main body of this dissertation is organized into four chapters that examine New York City’s environmental pollution control chronologically.The first chapter focuses on New York City’s experience in the first half of the 20th century.Concerns about public health forced local governments to establish basic institutions for pollution control and to begin initial attempts to improve the urban environment.Beginning in the mid-19th century,New York City government assumed responsibility for the city’s water supply,drainage,street sweeping,and solid waste removal.The main focus in this era was on the construction of city sewers which discharged untreated sewage into surrounding waters and this often caused disputes between communities in the region.In terms of solid waste disposal,New York’s experience was shaped by European technology,interstate disputes over ocean dumping,and wartime material shortages.Landfills and incineration gradually became its primary methods of waste disposal during this period.Chapter 2 examines New York City’s environmental pollution management in the early postwar period.In this era,local governments were still the main actors in environmental pollution control.Federal legislation,while coordinating cooperation among local communities,mainly encouraged local action and did not become too involved in local affairs.This was a period of conflicts for New York City and its neighboring communities over environmental issues.The progress of environmental pollution control was still limited.Chapter 3 focuses on New York’s pollution control during 1960-70s.New York City was much constrained by several pieces of federal environmental legislation while benefited from federal environmental protection funding.The City’s Department of Sanitation began looking for alternatives to existing solid waste disposal methods in the midst of multiple dilemmas,New York City gradually developed a complete sewage treatment system.Some progress was also made in controlling coal and motor vehicle pollution.Chapter 4 examines New York City’s environmental pollution control since the 1980s.New York City entered a completely new phase of pollution control,gradually replacing local incineration and landfills with garbage recycling and exportation,stopping the discharge of untreated sewage,ending ocean dump of wastewater sludge,and making progress in controlling air pollution despite the influence of the energy crisis.New York City’s experience of pollution control is closely related to U.S.economic,social and political context.Local and regional factors,conflicts and compromises between policy makers and business groups,participation of civil organizations are all important in shaping New York’s experience in which there were both vigorous progress and stages of stumbling.