For thoroughness, the EPA was proposed by an executive order from Nixon that was sent to and ratified by both houses of congress. It was mostly a consolidation

For thoroughness, the EPA was proposed by an executive order from Nixon that was sent to and ratified by both houses of congress. It was mostly a consolidation and strengthening of roles previous distributed throughout the executive branch, and was a response to widespread concern about the environment as well as the executive branch's legal responsibility to implement laws such as NEPA.