Final answer:
In the early 2000s, key cleanup efforts included removing hazardous waste, stricter environmental regulations, and cleaning up polluted water bodies, all reinforced by the earlier establishment of the EPA and the Clean Water Act.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the early 2000s, cleanup efforts primarily centered around addressing the consequences left by decades of rapid industrialization and the associated environmental degradation. Removal of hazardous waste, the implementation of stricter environmental regulations, and the cleanup of polluted water bodies were key actions taken during this time. Following the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970 and the enactment of the Clean Water Act in 1972, these efforts were further reinforced. The Clean Water Act's purpose was to maintain and restore water quality, making US waters swimmable and fishable. It became illegal to dump pollution into surface waters without formal permission. Hazardous waste regulations were also developed to encourage recycling and ensure the safe treatment, storage, and disposal of such waste, balancing resource conservation with the protection of human health and the environment. As a result, significant improvements to US water quality were seen, but more progress was still needed.