text: In 1982 , for example , RCED examined the progress made since the 1970 's in cleaning up the nation 's air , water , and land , finding that while strides had been made toward meeting the established goals ( cleaner air , properly treated wastewater , more drinkable water ) , deadlines had been extended and unresolved issues made meeting even these deadlines difficult ( U.S.
  
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  Even though progress was made on the environmental front , meeting the extended deadlines was difficult .