Dominick, David D. (David DeWitt), 1937-

Dominick, an attorney, served as Commissioner of the Federal Water Pollution Control Administration, Department of the Interior from 1969 to 1971, and was Assistant Administrator for Hazardous Materials Control of the Environmental Protection Agency from 1971 to 1973. He lived in Wyoming as a child and following school returned to Wyoming to practice law. Prior to his federal appointment, he was a legislative assistant to Wyoming Senator Milward Simpson from 1965-1966. Dominick entered private law practice in 1973.

The Environmental Protection Agency was established as an independent federal agency in December 1970 to coordinate government action on behalf of the environment.

From the description of David D. Dominick papers, 1940-1973 (bulk 1964-1973). (University of Wyoming, American Heritage Center). WorldCat record id: 27426455

David D. Dominick, attorney and former federal environmental administrator, was born 24 January 1937. He received a B.A. in anthropology from Yale University in 1960. The same year he was also the top graduate of the United States Marine Corps Officers’ Basic School. Dominick then obtained a law degree from the University of Colorado in 1966.

Dominick worked as a legislative assistant for two U.S. senators from Wyoming. He assisted Senator Milward L. Simpson from 1965-1966 and Senator Clifford P. Hansen from 1966-1968. In 1968 he was responsible for personnel placements for the Interior and Agriculture Departments on President-Elect Richard Nixon’s transition team. President Nixon then appointed Dominick as Commissioner of the Federal Water Pollution Control Administration (FWPCA). At that time the FWPCA was part of the Department of Interior. As Commissioner of the FWPCA, Dominick’s responsibilities included making policy decisions regarding water pollution control, supervising five Assistant Commissioners, ten Regional Offices and numerous national laboratories.

In 1971 President Nixon appointed Dominick as Assistant Administrator for Hazardous Materials Control for the newly formed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). He was responsible for national programs in pesticides, radiation, solid waste, noise, and toxic substances. As the principal spokesman for Congressional passage of federal pesticides, toxic substances and noise control legislation, Dominick implemented bans on DDT, predator poisons, mercury, and numerous other agricultural and industrial chemicals. He set radon standards for underground uranium mines and initiated resource recovery and hazardous waste programs. His testimony before Congress helped lead to the passage of the 1972 Clean Water Act. In addition, Dominick attended many meetings and conferences around the country, serving as an ambassador of the Nixon Administration’s environmental policies.

Dominick entered into private law practice in 1973. From 1973-1985 he founded and managed his own general practice. He then joined the Denver law firm of Cogswell and Davidson from 1985-1993. His many memberships include the Denver Audubon Society (President, 1984-1986), co-chairman of the Environmental Defense Fund’s Rocky Mountain Regional Advisory Board, and the Colorado Wildlife Foundation. He recently completed a master’s degree in environmental history from Utah State University, with a thesis entitled “The Nixon Environmental Agenda as Seen by a Republican Insider, 1968-1973.” He presently lives in Cody, Wyoming.

From the guide to the David D. Dominick papers, 1940-1975, 1964-1973, (University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.)