The Clean Water Act originated as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1948 but was significantly amended and took its modern form in 1972 when it became commonly known as the Clean Water Act
. The Clean Air Act was first enacted in 1963 as the first federal legislation to control air pollution directly
. However, the most comprehensive and influential version of the Clean Air Act was passed in 1970, which established major regulatory programs and shifted much of the regulatory authority to the newly created Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Summary:
- Clean Water Act: Originally enacted in 1948, modern form established in 1972.
- Clean Air Act: First enacted in 1963 , major overhaul and expansion in 1970.
Thus, the Clean Water Act in its current form was created in 1972, and the Clean Air Act was initially created in 1963 with a landmark revision in 1970.
