> Laws
Are there any laws out about oil spills? If so what are they?
1.The first two laws used to try to regulate oil spills were the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and the Refuse Act of 1899. A court case in 1921 threw these out, and Congress began work on the Oil Pollution Control Act (1924).
2.Oil Pollution Control Act (1924), says that it is against the law to dump or spill oil into any coastal area, or area that boats travel through.
3.Clean Water Restoration Act (1966), says that it is against the law to dump or spill oil in any river or stream, and coastal area. It also says that the company who causes the spill must clean it up and pay for any damage to the environment.
4.Clean Water Act (1972), was designed to keep water clean. It says that a sheen (just a small amount of oil on water) is considered an oil spill. This act also sets aside money to help pay for the cleanup of an oil spill.
5.Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) (started because of the big Exxon Valdez spill). It says that studies must be done after an oil spill to see how much damage was done (this study is called a Natural Resource Damage Assessment). The company who spilled the oil must pay for the spill cleanup. This Act also puts money aside (from taxes) to help pay for spill cleanups.
1.The first two laws used to try to regulate oil spills were the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 and the Refuse Act of 1899. A court case in 1921 threw these out, and Congress began work on the Oil Pollution Control Act (1924).
2.Oil Pollution Control Act (1924), says that it is against the law to dump or spill oil into any coastal area, or area that boats travel through.
3.Clean Water Restoration Act (1966), says that it is against the law to dump or spill oil in any river or stream, and coastal area. It also says that the company who causes the spill must clean it up and pay for any damage to the environment.
4.Clean Water Act (1972), was designed to keep water clean. It says that a sheen (just a small amount of oil on water) is considered an oil spill. This act also sets aside money to help pay for the cleanup of an oil spill.
5.Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90) (started because of the big Exxon Valdez spill). It says that studies must be done after an oil spill to see how much damage was done (this study is called a Natural Resource Damage Assessment). The company who spilled the oil must pay for the spill cleanup. This Act also puts money aside (from taxes) to help pay for spill cleanups.
