1972: Ecologist Susan Bratton conducts graduate research in the park. Her research reveals what is becoming a wild hog problem. European Wild hogs cause destruction all over the park, tearing up ground, wallowing in high elevation streams, and eating food needed by native species.
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Wild Hog Issues
1973: The Endangered Species Act is passed.
> The Endangered Species Act
1977: The brook trout restoration begins. 2 ½ miles of streams are recovered for brook trout habitat, including Road Prong, Sam’s creek, and Lynn Camp Prong. Fisheries workers use electrofishing to stun and remove non-native rainbow trout from streams in the brook trouts’ native range.
>Righting a Restocking Wrong
1977: Amendments to the 1970 Clean Air Act designate all natural areas exceeding 6,000 acres—including GSMNP at a half-million acres—as mandatory Class I areas worthy of the highest amount of air-quality protection. A year later the park will begin limited monitoring of air quality, which has since expanded.
> Air Quality in the Smokies
1978: The Smoky Mountain Field School begins offering classes.
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Smoky Mountain Field School Site