In her book Silent Spring, Rachel Carson warned the public of the consequences of widespread pestidde use. Twenty million Americans celebrated the first Earth Day. __ The Clean Air Act was passed, regulating air emissions from all sources. The Clean Water Act was passed, regulating the quality of surface waters. The Endangered Species Act was passed, protecting threatened wildlife. Which statement correctly completes this time line? A The Centers for Disease Control petitioned Congress to eliminate waste treatment plants. B The federal government created the Environmental Protection Agency to oversee environmental issues. C The automobile industry began researching alternative energy sources. D The president ordered the Public Health Service to deal with environmental pollution.

## Step 1<br />The problem presents a timeline of significant environmental events in the United States, starting from Rachel Carson's book "Silent Spring" in 1962, which warned the public about the harmful effects of pesticides. The timeline then lists several key environmental milestones, including the first Earth Day, the passing of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />The question asks us to identify the correct statement that completes this timeline. The options provided are:<br />A. The Centers for Disease Control petitioned Congress to eliminate waste treatment plants.<br />B. The federal government created the Environmental Protection Agency to oversee environmental issues.<br />C. The automobile industry began researching alternative energy sources.<br />D. The president ordered the Public Health Service to deal with environmental pollution.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />We need to choose the statement that logically follows the sequence of events in the timeline. The timeline is about the increasing awareness and regulation of environmental issues in the United States.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />Option B, "The federal government created the Environmental Protection Agency to oversee environmental issues," fits this sequence perfectly. The creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970 was a significant step in the federal government's efforts to address environmental issues, following the increasing public awareness and legislative actions mentioned in the timeline.