The presidential administration of Ronald Reagan brought a new era in environmental affairs that helped to define their role in American history. Earlier Democratic and Republican administrations had responded to environmental objectives with some degree of favor. But the Reagan administration began with a pervasive and determined commitment to turn the environmental tide. Environmentalists were rejected as legitimate participants in the give-and-take of public affairs. The administration set out to undo the environmental work of the preceding two decades of Republican and Democratic leadership.

Implicit in this radical thrust was an assumption that environmental objectives were not deeply rooted in American society and politics but were the demands of a few environmental leaders rather than of the greater public. The environmental phenomenon, it was thought, could be swept aside by vigorous presidential leadership. The resulting drama tested the strength of popular support for environmental objectives, which proved to be much greater than the administration had anticipated. Its opposition, in fact, provided an opportunity for those who shaped environmental institutions to demonstrate the breadth of concern in the broader society. In being forced to recognize that environmental affairs were not momentary, limited, and superficial, the administration, in fact, more firmly rooted their legitimacy on American politics.

This drive for radical innovation was a historical experiment of sorts. For in challenging the environmental movement, Reagan tested its strength and vitality and thereby demonstrated the degree to which it had become a broad and fundamental aspect of American public life.