Environmental Defense Collection
Manuscript Collection 232

Record Group 1 - Personal Papers
Sub-Group II: Arthur Cooley Papers

Collection Description:
Research files, correspondence, financial documents, newsletters, clippings and memos, 1976-1977.
2.5 linear feet.
Processed by Meredith Bouchard, 2003.

Biographical Note
Scope and Content Note
Series Descriptions
Box and Container Listing

Biographical Note
Art Cooley is a former Bellport High School biology teacher, co-founder of EDF, and an environmentalist. In the mid-1960s, he was Chairman of the Brookhaven Town Natural Resources Committee (BTNRC), an environmental organization dedicated to preserving the resources of the local area. Among the members were members of Brookhaven National Lab and students at Bellport High School.

In 1966, Victor Yannacone Jr., a lawyer developing a class action suit, called upon the scientific expertise of the BTNRC. The suit was against the Suffolk County Mosquito Control Commission, and the issue was the application of DDT. The case sparked a series of events leading to a ban on the pesticide. Because of a demand for the legal and scientific approach to environmental problems, EDF was formed in 1967. Arthur Cooley succeeded Dennis Puleston as Chairman of the Board of Trustees in 1972, serving until 1975.

Today Mr. Cooley remains active on the Board of Trustees of Environmental Defense, is an expedition leader and a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Scope and Content Note
The papers span 1966-77 and form a snapshot of Mr. Cooley’s professional interests and activities. The collection is comprised of research files, correspondence, financial documents, newsletters, clippings and memos. There are 3 series: EDF Correspondence & Memoranda, EDF Documents, and Brookhaven Town.

Series Descriptions

Series 1: EDF Correspondence and Memoranda: 1971-77 [1 linear foot]
Arrangement: Chronological; the files are grouped according to their origin.

This series consists of memoranda discussing potential litigation, program development and issues for the Executive Committees and Board of Trustees.

Series 2: EDF Documents [1 linear foot]
Arrangement: Alphabetical by subject.

This series contains a copy of the amendment to incorporation, clippings, office bulletins, and subject files.

Series III: Brookhaven Town [0.5 linear feet]
Arrangement: Alphabetical subject files of local environmental interest.

This series is an overview of environmental challenges to Brookhaven Town. Topics include dredging concerns, wildlife, and water pollution.

Box and Container Listing

SERIES 1: EDF CORRESPONDENCE and MEMORANDA

Box 1

Correspondence, 1971-77
Copies of correspondence from EDF staff, 1971-77

Memoranda:
Incoming, 1974-76
To the Board of Trustees, 1976-77
To the Executive Committee, 1972-77

Box 2

Memoranda--to the Litigation Review Committee:
From the California office, 1971-77
From the Colorado office, 1976
From the NY office, 1976
from the Washington office, 1976-77

Memoranda--Programming:
Program proposals, 1972
Energy program, n.d.
Membership activities
Solicitation
Toxics program
Water projects
Wildlife program

SERIES 2: EDF DOCUMENTS

Box 3

Certificate of amendment to the certificate of incorporation (copy), 1976
Executive Committee agendas, n.d.
Office Bulletins: NY, Washington, Colorado, 1975-77
EDF Letter (incomplete), 1976-77

Clippings:
Coal Leasing, 1975
Environment, 1975

Press releases (EDF), 1976

Subject Files:
Bonneville Power Administration
California Water Plan
Carcinogens (Food Additives), n.d.
Case progress reports, n.d.
Coal mining, 1975
Conservation Foundation Annual Report, 1965-76
Environmental impact statement guidelines, n.d.

Box 4

Subject Files continued:
Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 1977
Genetic research regulation, 1976
Land Use statement (EDF), 1975
Marine mammals case (Alaska), 1977
Pesticide Management, 1976
Pollution (Colorado), 1977
Refuse Power (Environmental Technology Seminar), 1976
Tuna Porpoise Issue, 1977
Truman Dam and Reservoir, 1971
TRIS, 1976
Whaling, 1976
Your Organization United, 1975

Box 5

Financial documents, 1975-77 [closed]

SERIES 3: BROOKHAVEN TOWN

Box 6

"Brookhaven Town Natural Resources Committee: A Call to Action" [ms], 1969
Detergents and water pollution [clippings], 1970
Dredging ordinance, 1966-67
Dredging permit application (Levon Properties), nd
Duck industry and water pollution, 1968-70
John Boyle Island--Tern Colony protection, 1968-70
Kingfisher Legislation, 1967-68
Pesticide ordinance, 1968-69
Refuse disposal, 1969
Swan Lake Development, 1967-70