Berne was settled in 1852 by Mennonite immigrants who came directly from Switzerland, and named the community for the capital of Switzerland. They began the chore of preparing for farming by clearing the land.
Intentions, however, were not always equal to actions. Implementation of the Clean Air Amendments was made difficult by a reluctant automobile industry and the energy crisis of the early 1970s. The 1970 act gave the auto industry a temporary way out of meeting the tougher standards.
The Clean Air Act of 1970 focuses on the control of air pollution. One of the more significant aspects of the law is the ability for the Environmental Protection Agency to establish air quality standards to protect public health and welfare. The environmental movement has evolved significantly in the last five decades.