Laws, Regulations & Directives

Laws

Laws

Oil Pollution Act (1990)
The Oil Pollution Act (OPA) of 1990 (OPA 90) (P.L. 106-580) establishes the limitations on liability for damages resulting from oil pollution and establishes a fund for compensatory payment for such damages.

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (1980)
Commonly known as the Superfund Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) (P.L. 96-510) enables Federal authorities to respond to hazardous materials pollution incidents that threaten either the environment or public health. CERCLA also established a tax, which since its inception has been used to clean abandoned and unused hazardous waste sites.

NRT Fact Sheets

The Federal Consistency Requirement of the Coastal Zone Management Act (1972)
Provides background on the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (P.L. 104-150) and its Federal Consistency Requirement. Outlines how the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) assured that the Oil Pollution Act (OPA) of 1990 was coordinated with the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) and the Area Contingency Plan (ACP) process. Also summarizes how disputes between a federal agency and the state can be resolved.

External Web Links

Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (LII)
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA): 42 U.S.C. s/s 9601 et seq. (1986)

Emergency Planning & Community Right-To-Know Act (LII)

Emergency Planning & Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA): 42 U.S.C. s/s 11011 et seq. (1986)

About EPCRA (EPA): Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website dedicated to learning about and resources for Emergency Planning & Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA).



Clean Water Act (LII)
Clean Water Act (CWA): 3 U.S.C. s/s 1251 et seq. (1977)

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (LII)
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA): 42 U.S.C. s/s 321 et seq. (1976)

Endangered Species Act (LII)
Endangered Species Act (ESA): 7 U.S.C. 136 (1973)

Coastal Zone Management Act (NOAA)
Amended in 1972, the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) (P.L. 104-150) requires states to develop and implement Coastal Zone Management plans. It also established Federal grant programs within the Department of Commerce to fund these state plans.

National Coastal Zone Management Program (NOAA)
The National Coastal Zone Management Program comprehensively addresses the nation’s coastal issues through a voluntary partnership between the Federal government and coastal and Great Lakes states and territories. Authorized by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, the program provides the basis for protecting, restoring, and responsibly developing our nation’s diverse coastal communities and resources.

Occupational Safety and Health Act (LII)
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA): 29 U.S.C. 651 et seq. (1970)

Clean Air Act (EPA)
Clean Air Act (CAA): 42 U.S.C. s/s 7401 et seq. (1970)

Freedom of Information Act (LII)
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA): 5 U.S.C. s/s 552 et seq. (1966)

Legal Information Institute - U.S. Code Database
Legal Information Institute (LLI) provides access to the full United States Code, opinions of the United States Supreme Court handed down since 1992, historically important decisions, and opinions of the New York Court of Appeals.

Resources

Working together to protect against threats to our land, air and water

United States Environmental Protection Agency United States Coast Guard United States Department of State United States Department of Defense U.S. Department of Homeland Security (FEMA) United States Department of Energy United States Department of Agriculture United States Department of Health & Human Services United States Department of the Interior United States Department of Commerce United States Department of Transportation United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission United States General Services Administration United States Department of Justice United States Department of Labor