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Shelley Ottenbrite on Landmark Environmental Legislation in the United States
A longtime supporter of environmental conservation and preservation efforts, Shelley Ottenbrite places a particular emphasis on the importance of clean air, water, and food. Throughout the history of the United States, Congress has passed a number of landmark environmental laws that reflect both popular sentiment and necessity in terms of public health. Here is a brief synopsis of some of the most important environmental laws in the United States.
Endangered Species Act: Drafted into law in 1973, the Endangered Species Act protects species at risk of extinction due to economic growth and development. Primarily administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the Act bolstered the provisions of previous acts passed in 1966 and 1969, expanding the scope of the law to include entire ecosystems that house endangered species. To earn status as an endangered species, wildlife must fulfill five criteria: population decline due to disease or predators; inadequate regulatory mechanisms; threatened habitat; over-utilization for a variety of purposes; and other factors that imperil continued existence.
Clean Water Act: The primary water pollution law in the United States, the Clean Water Act of 1977 includes a number of specific provisions and standards for all types of water. According to the original language of the bill, the Clean Water Act set out to reduce the release of toxic materials into water, ensure that surface water is safe for human activities, and eliminate extra water pollution by 1985. Although the Clean Water Act does not directly address issues of clean drinking water, subsequent legislation such as the Safe Drinking Water Act contains more specific provisions regarding potable water.
National Park Service Organic Act: One of the first pieces of environmental legislation passed in the United States, the National Park Service Organic Act, commonly referred to simply as the Organic Act, created the National Park Service (NPS) as a branch of the United States Department of the Interior. The NPS assumes responsibility for the administration of U.S. National Parks and National Monuments, which began to experience rapid growth in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Organic Act experienced a large measure of popular support from both legislators and environmental groups such as the Sierra Club.
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Benefits of Composting By Shelley Ottenbrite
As a vegetarian, I pay careful attention to the food that I eat and grow in my own garden. I avoid using pesticides and make use of compost to add nutrients to the soil. Today, I would like to share with you some benefits of composting from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
1. Composting reduces pollution. When biodegradable materials enter landfills and begins to decompose, the rubbish exudes methane gas and there is leachate formulation. Composting food scraps and other natural items reduces this type of pollution.
2. Composting improves soil quality. Mixing compost with existing dirt improves its quality tremendously. The compost adds nutrients and beneficial bacteria, which allow soil to retain more moisture. The bacteria also enable organic matter to decompose and create a nutrient-rich soil. This kind of enriched dirt has been shown to grow a greater number of crops, lessen incidents of plant pests and diseases, and significantly reduce the need for fertilizers based on chemicals.
3. Composting saves money for consumers and the government. Gardeners do not have to buy fertilizers and pesticides, and they can water their plants less with moisture rich soil. By composting material rather than throwing it out, landfills take up less space and save governments money.
4. Composting heals damaged soil. Studies have shown compost reduces the amount of harmful materials that plants absorb and that compost reduces the quantity of heavy metals in soil. The process of biodegrading materials has lessened the effects of hydrocarbons, wood preservatives, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
5. Compost in soil also prevents toxic chemicals from becoming part of storm water run-off and keeps land from eroding.
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Shelley Ottenbrite on Peoplepond
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Shelley Ottenbrite on Konnects
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Shelley Ottenbrite on Plaxo
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Shelley Ottenbrite on CVshare
Shelley Ottenbrite embraces many aspects of Latin American culture, from the tango in Argentina to pupusas in El Salvador. Shelley Ottenbrite enjoys pupusas, a popular part of traditional Salvadoran food. The dish is made from thick corn tortillas stuffed with cheese, pork, squash, refried beans, or the flower bud loroco. Pupusas are commonly served with a vinegar cabbage slaw known as curtido and a tomato salsa.
Shelley Ottenbrite appreciates the history of pupusas. The Pipil tribe created pupusas hundreds of years ago with cooking utensils and instruments recently discovered in the archeological remains of a small village buried in ash during a volcano explosion. Shelley Ottenbrite is a devotee of pupusas, which became popular as residents of central towns began to migrate throughout the country, particularly in neighboring Honduras and Guatemala. The Salvadorian civil war of the 1980s forced the citizens to escape their home country, leading many of them to the United States.
As the pupusa transitioned outside of El Salvador, other cultures began to influence different styles of the dish. In Mexico, the gordita features many of the same ingredients while varying its shape. In Venezuela, an arepa’s dough is cooked separately from the stuffing. El Salvador also offers a dish similar to the pupusa, using rice instead of corn to make the dough. Shelley Ottenbrite remains a fan of pupusas. They have become extremely popular in Florida, Texas, New York, California, and New Mexico, as well as in Shelley Ottenbrite’s home state of Virginia.
