Federal Laws

Click on one of the statutes below for an outline of the key provisions. Full text of the major statutes are provided as well.

Official Citation:
33 U.S.C. §§2701-2761
Summary:

The OPA expanded the federal government's ability, and provided the money and resources necessary, to respond to oil spills in the nation.

Official Citation:
43 U.S.C. §§1331-1356
Summary:

The OCSLA defines the Outer Continental Shelf as the submerged lands seaward of the state boundary that are under U.S. jurisdiction, and authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to regulate leasing of these submerged lands.

Official Citation:
42 U.S.C. §13101-13109
Summary:

The PPA called for a reduction in pollution from industry and other sectors through operational changes.

Official Citation:
43 U.S.C. §§1901-1908
Summary:

The PRIA establishes a national policy and commitment to improve the conditions on public rangelands, requires a national inventory and consistent federal management policies, and provides funds for range improvement projects.

Official Citation:
42 U.S.C. §7401 note
Summary:

The RGIA provisions establish policies for the reporting and monitoring of radon gas and indoor air quality.

Official Citation:
33 U.S.C. §407
Summary:

The Refuse Act prohibits the discharge of refuse into navigable waters or tributaries in the U.S.

Official Citation:
42 U.S.C. §§6901-6992k
Summary:

RCRA gives EPA the authority to control hazardous waste from the "cradle-to-grave," which includes the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste.

Official Citation:
42 U.S.C. §§300f-300j-26
Summary:

The SDWA allows EPA to set and maintain standards for drinking water quality.

Official Citation:
N/A
Summary:

These provisions pertain to the National Park Service (Department of the Interior), which is charged with the management of the National Park System.

Official Citation:
43 U.S.C. §1311
Summary:

The SLA, §3 verifies that states own the lands beneath the navigable waters within their boundaries.

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