Which federal agency was created in response to the environmental movement of the 1970s?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established in 1970 as a direct response to the growing environmental movement of the 1960s and 1970s. This period was marked by increased awareness of environmental issues, such as pollution and conservation, largely influenced by events like the publication of Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring," the first Earth Day in 1970, and various public outcries over environmental degradation.

The creation of the EPA signified a governmental acknowledgment of the need to address these urgent environmental concerns systematically and effectively. The agency's mission includes regulating pollution and enacting laws to protect air, water, and land, thus ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment for current and future generations.

While the National Park Service focuses on preserving natural and historical places for public enjoyment, OSHA deals with workplace health and safety, and the FDA is responsible for food safety and drug regulation, none of these agencies were specifically formed in direct response to the environmental movement like the EPA. Therefore, the EPA is the agency most closely aligned with the environmental initiatives and legislative changes prompted by that movement.