GASP (Missoula, Mont.) Records, 1958-1970

Overview of the Collection

Creator
GASP (Missoula, Mont.)
Title
GASP (Missoula, Mont.) Records
Dates
1958-1970 (inclusive)
Quantity
3.5 linear feet
Collection Number
Mss 043 (collection)
Summary
Gals Against Smog and Pollution (GASP) was a grassroots air quality organization active in Missoula, Montana, in the late 1960s. The collection details the organization and history of GASP and documents general air and water pollution conditions in Montana and in the United States.
Repository
University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections
Archives and Special Collections
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
University of Montana
32 Campus Dr. #9936
59812-9936
Missoula, MT
Telephone: 406-243-2053
library.archives@umontana.edu
Access Restrictions

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of Archives and Special Collections, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, and The University of Montana--Missoula.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Historical NoteReturn to Top

GASP, or Gals Against Smog and Pollution, was formed in the spring of 1968 by a group of Missoula women who wanted to fight air pollution in the Missoula valley. The group, active through 1970, aimed to implement the provisions of the 1967 Clean Air Act of Montana. Through petition drives, advertisements, rallies, marches, speeches before groups, and appearances before state regulatory agencies, the organization led the fight for strict air and water pollution standards for the state. Their first and most major target was the Hoerner-Waldorf plant, a large Kraft paper pulp operation west of Missoula. GASP was instrumental in bringing about a local pollution control system for Missoula County.

GASP was formed as both a study and an action group. As a study group, members researched pollution and industry issues, conducted interviews, and maintained a library. GASP committees covered issues such as Kraft pulp and paper processing; teepee burners and lumber companies; car exhaust, open burning, and backyard incinerators; clean air legislation; and meteorology and topography. Committees were also responsible for correspondence, publicity, fund raising, and general dissemination of information about pollution.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection details the organization and history of GASP and documents general air and water pollution conditions in Montana and in the United States. Included are correspondence and other GASP records, and an extensive collection of publications and clippings about GASP and pollution in general. The publications include items from the GASP library.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. and any other applicable statutes. Copyright not transferred to The University of Montana.

Preferred Citation

[Name of document or photograph number], GASP Records, Archives and Special Collections, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, The University of Montana-Missoula.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The collection is divided into nine series:

Series I: General Correspondence, 0.25 linear feet, 1962-1970

Series II: Organization, 3 folders, 1968-1970

Series III: GASP Speeches and Writings, 0.25 linear feet, 1968-1970

Series IV: Other Reports and Publications, 0.75 linear feet, 1959-1970

Series V: Government Reports and Publications, 0.75 linear feet, 1955-1970

Series VI: Clippings - Newspapers, 0.75 linear feet, 1958-1970

Series VII: Clippings - Magazines, 0.5 linear feet, 1962-1970

Series VIII: Maps, 1 folder, 1967

Series IX: Photographs, 17 items, 1964-1968

Custodial History

All collection materials remained in the possession of GASP members until donation to the K. Ross Toole Archives.

Acquisition Information

Gift of GASP, date unknown.

Processing Note

The actions of the original processors are unknown. In May 1998, the collection was rearranged and re-described. The contents of collection LC 196, an addition to the original collection, LC 43, were integrated together to create Mss 43. Photocopies were made of items such as newspaper clippings, where the original paper had deteriorated. Duplicate items were discarded. During original processing all photographs were separated to the Archives general photograph collection. During subsequent reprocessing these photographs were located and reintegrated into the larger collection.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Series I:  General Correspondence , 1962-1970Return to Top

0.25 linear feet

This series consists of correspondence between GASP and various state and national elected officials. Arranged chronologically and, within each year, alphabetically by name of correspondent.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
General Correspondence
1962
1/2
Babcock, Tim
1965
1/3
Babcock, Tim
1968
1/4
Mansfield, Mike
1968
1/5
Metcalf, Lee
1968
1/6
Muskie, Edmund
1968
1/7
Olsen, Arnold
1968
1/8
General Correspondence
1968
1/9
Mansfield, Mike
1969
1/10
Melcher, John
1969
1/11
Metcalf, Lee
1969
1/12
Muskie, Edmund
1969
1/13
Olsen, Arnold
1969
1/14
General Correspondence
1969
1/15
Cook, Marlow W.
1970
1/16
Cooper, John Sherman
1970
1/17
Dominick, Peter H.
1970
1/18
Eagleton, Thomas F.
1970
1/19
Eastland, James O.
1970
1/20
Ellender, Allen J.
1970
1/21
Hansen, Clifford P.
1970
1/22
Harris, Fred R.
1970
1/23
Hartke, Vance
1970
1/24
Jordan, B. Everett
1970
1/25
Kennedy, Edward M.
1970
1/26
Mansfield, Mike
1970
1/27
McCarthy, Eugene
1970
1/28
McGovern, George
1970
1/29
Melcher, John
1970
1/30
Metcalf, Lee
1970
1/31
Mondale, Walter
1970
1/32
Muskie, Edmund
1970
1/33
Nelson, Gaylord
1970
1/34
Nixon, Richard
1970
1/35
Olsen, Arnold
1970
1/36
Packwood, Robert
1970
1/37
Proxmire, William
1970
1/38
Riegle, Donald W.
1970
1/39
Talmadge, Herman E.
1970
1/40
General Correspondence
1970
1/41
General Correspondence
undated

Series II:  Organization , 1968-1970 Return to Top

3 folders

This series contains items related to GASP organization, membership, and activities, including constitution and statements of purpose, membership lists and committee rosters, and paper artifacts such as bumper stickers, signs, and badges. Arranged chronologically, but many items undated.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/42
Organization
undated
1/43
Activities
1968-1970 and undated
1/44
Paper Artifacts
undated

Series III:  Speeches and Writings , 1968-1970 Return to Top

0.25 linear feet

The series consists of materials produced by GASP, including newsletters, minutes, reports, lists, petitions, and handwritten notes. Arranged alphabetically and then chronologically where possible, but many items undated.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/45
Handwritten Notes
undated
1/46
Lists and Petitions
1970 and undated
1/47
Minutes
1968
1/48
Newsletters
1968-1970 and undated
1/49
News Releases
undated
2/1
Questionnaires
undated
2/2
Reports
1968-1970

Series IV:  Other Reports and Publications , 1959-1970 Return to Top

0.75 linear feet

This series consists of reports, pamphlets, and other printed materials about pollution and about various industries, produced by industries and organizations other than GASP. This series is arranged alphabetically by topic or producer, and then chronologically.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
2/3
Anti-pollution Organizations
1966-1970
2/4
Anti-pollution and Other Political Pamphlets
1967-1969 and undated
2/5
APCA Abstracts
1968-1969
2/6
Environmental Defense Fund Suit
1968
2/7
Federation of Women's Clubs
1959-1970 and unated
2/8
Fluoridation
1965-1969
2/9
Hoerner-Waldorf Hexi Scoop and Pamphlets
1970
2/10
Hoerner-Waldorf News Releases
1969-1970
2/11
Industry Pamphlets
1968-1970 and undated
2/12
League of Women Voters
undated
2/13
Manuals
1963-1967
3/1
Reports and Technical Material - Missoula and Montana Air Pollution
1966-1968
3/2
Reports and Technical Material - Wood Products Industry
1966-1968 and undated
3/3
Reports and Technical Material - Air and Other Pollution, General
1968 and undated
3/4
Reports and Technical Material - Forms, Diagrams, Statistics
1970 and undated

Series V:  Government Reports and Publications , 1955-1970Return to Top

0.75 linear feet

This series consists of reports, pamphlets, and other printed materials relating to pollution, produced by various local, state, and federal agencies. This series is arranged alphabetically by name of agency, and then chronologically.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
3/5
Lane County (Oregon) Regional Air Pollution Authority Rules and Regulations
1970
3/6
Missoula: Mayor's Proclamation of Clean Air Week
1968
3/7
Montana Board of Health, Statements to
1961-1969
3/8
Montana Chamber of Commerce News Releases
1968
3/9
Montana State Air and Water Pollution Regulations and Standards
1968-1970
4/1
Montana State Publications
1960-1969
4/2
Nelson, Sen. Gaylord, Newsletter
1969
4/3
Oregon State Publications
1965-1968
4/4
Puget Sound Air Pollution Control Agency
1968-1969
4/5
U.S.D.A. Forest Service Publications
1956-1969
4/6
U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Air Quality Criteria
1969
4/7
U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Community Affairs Bulletin
1969
4/8
U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Control Techniques
1969
4/9
U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, News Releases
1968-1969
4/10
U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Publications, including reprints
1962-1970
5/1
U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Speeches
1966 and undated
5/2
U.S. Department of the Interior Publications
1966
5/3
U.S. Senate Committee on Public Works - Air Pollution Report
1963
5/4
Washington State Publications
1955

Series VI:  Clippings - Newspapers , 1958-1970 Return to Top

0.75 linear feet

Included in this series are newspaper and magazine clippings about GASP, air pollution, and pollution in general. The clippings come from various Montana and national publications. The file of clippings from the Missoulian is extensive. A few clippings are incomplete. The source of the clippings is not always shown. This series is arranged alphabetically by newspaper name and then chronologically; however, many items are undated.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
5/5
Congressional Record
1969-1970
5/6
Missoulian
1958, 1964
5/7
Missoulian
February-September 1968
5/8
Missoulian
October-December 1968
5/9
Missoulian
January-April 1969
5/10
Missoulian
May-October 1969
5/11
Missoulian
November-December 1969
5/12
Missoulian
January-March 1970
5/13
Missoulian
April-June 1970
6/1
Missoulian
July-October 1970
6/2
Missoulian, articles
undated
6/3
Missoulian, articles
undated
6/4
Missoulian, letters to editor, cartoons, pictures, and ads
undated
6/5
Other Montana Newspapers
1958, 1963, 1967-1970 and undated
6/6
Out-of-state Newspapers
1964-1970, undated
6/7
The Times (Missoula)
1968-1969 and undated

Series VII:  Clippings - Magazines , 1962-1970 Return to Top

0.5 linear feet

This series includes clippings from magazines and industry publications about GASP, air pollution, and pollution in general. Oversize clippings separated to Box 7. Arranged chronologically, with some items undated.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
6/8
Magazines and Industry Publications
1962-1967
6/9
Magazines and Industry Publications
1968
6/10
Magazines and Industry Publications
1969-1970 and undated
7/1
Magazines (Oversize)
1966-1969, undated

Series VIII:  Maps , 1967Return to Top

1 folder

This series consists of two Missoula-area maps.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
7/2
Lolo National Forest, Missoula Ranger District; Precinct Map, Missoula
1967

Series IX:  Photographs , 1964-1968 Return to Top

17 items

This series includes seventeen photographs, most documenting pollution in the Missoula area. Some have labels or dates, but many have no identification.

Description Dates
98-1646: Landscape
undated
98-1647: Road and smog cloud
undated
98-1648: Kenneth J. Lampert on telephone
undated
98-1649: Missoula, Montana, from South Hills, color
undated
98-1650: Missoula, Montana, from South Hills, color
undated
98-1651: Missoula, Montana, from South Hills, color
undated
98-1652: Teepee burner with smoke, color
undated
98-1653: Teepee burner with smoke, color
undated
98-1654: Intermountain Lumber Company, Missoula, Montana
1968
98-1655: Smoke, Missoula, Montana
undated
98-1656: Particulates from teepee burner
Gerry Atwell
undated
98-1657: Particulates from teepee burner
Gerry Atwell
undated
98-1658: Smoke from White Pine Sash Company, Missoula, Montana
undated
98-1659: View of Missoula, Montana, from 8,000 feet
undated
98-1660: Haze over downtown Missoula, Montana, from Waterworks Hill
undated
98-1661: Automobile with dirt on hood
1964
98-1662: Smoke, Missoula
Gerry Atwell
undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Air quality--Montana--Missoula
  • Air--Pollution--Montana--Missoula
  • Air--Pollution--United States
  • Kraft paper industry--Montana - Missoula County
  • Water quality--Montana -- Missoula
  • Water--Pollution--Montana--Missoula
  • Water--Pollution--United States
  • Women environmentalists--Montana--Missoula--Societies, etc.
  • Women--Montana--Missoula--Societies and clubs

Geographical Names

  • Missoula (Mont.)--Environmental conditions
  • Montana--Environmental conditions

Form or Genre Terms

  • Maps
  • Photographs