Well the Cuyahoga River hasn't set on fire in some years.Can you cite an example of regulation done well that I could look into?
The Clean Water Act, you recall, figured in our conversation about phosphorus. Late 1960's: Eutrophication is perceived as a significant environmental concern. 1964-1970: Detergent manufacturers recognize the need to remove phosphorus from detergents and spend considerable resources developing NTA, a safe alternative. 1970: The government tells detergent manufacturers to stop using NTA. 1972: The Clean Water Act and local laws restrict the use of phosphorus in detergent. 1980: The government says NTA is okay after all. Is it obvious that the government even did more good than harm by getting involved with this issue?The 1969 Cuyahoga River fire helped spur an avalanche of water pollution control activities, resulting in the Clean Water Act, Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, and the creation of the federal Environmental Protection Agency and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA).
Summing up: