The records of the California Environmental Protection Agency, or CalEPA, comprise 19 cubic feet of textual and audiovisual records reflecting the work of the Secretary of Environmental Protection and the Secretary's role in overseeing the various units within the agency, including the Air Resources Board (ARB), Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR), Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), Integrated Waste Management Board (IWMB), Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), and regional Water Quality Control Boards. The records cover the period from 1991-2002 and are organized into seven record series: Bill Files (1991-2002); Member Files (1997-1998); Chronological Files (1997-1998); Controlled Correspondence (1992-1996); Legislative Files (1997-1998); Proposed Legislation Files (2001-2002); and Federal Legislation Files (1991-1992). Found within the records are legislative analyses, correspondence, reports, member files, federal legislation pertaining to the duties of the CalEPA, CalEPA proposed legislation, memoranda, photographs, newspaper articles, journal articles, and press releases.

During the administrations of Governor Pat Brown (1969-1967), Governor Ronald Reagan (1967-1975) and Governor Jerry Brown (1975-1983), it became increasingly clear that a statewide agency regarding environmental protection was needed as environmental issues permeated national and local headlines. In 1969, an oil spill in the Santa Barbara Channel prompted President Nixon to create the United States Environmental Protection Agency in 1970 through his Reorganization Plan 3. While most states followed suit, an environmental agency for California followed a different pattern and was first created through a variety of state statutes and implemented through local and regional agencies. Soon it was clear that the haphazard and informal organization of the statutes required direction from a cabinet-level Secretary in order to be efficient.

19 cubic feet

For permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the California State Archives. Permission for reproduction or publication is given on behalf of the California State Archives as the owner of the physical items. The researcher assumes all responsibility for possible infringement which may arise from reproduction or publication of materials from the California State Archives collections.

While the majority of the records are open for research, any access restrictions are noted in the record series descriptions.