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.
Oil Pollution Act
The OPA expanded the federal government's ability, and provided the money and resources necessary, to respond to oil spills in the nation.
Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act
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.
Pollution Prevention Act
The PPA called for a reduction in pollution from industry and other sectors through operational changes.
Public Rangelands Improvement Act
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.
Radon Gas and Indoor Air Provisions
The RGIA provisions establish policies for the reporting and monitoring of radon gas and indoor air quality.
Refuse Act of 1899 (Section 13 of the Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act of 1899)
The Refuse Act prohibits the discharge of refuse into navigable waters or tributaries in the U.S.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
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.
Safe Drinking Water Act
The SDWA allows EPA to set and maintain standards for drinking water quality.
Selected Statutory Provisions Governing the Administration of the National Parks
These provisions pertain to the National Park Service (Department of the Interior), which is charged with the management of the National Park System.
Submerged Lands Act, §3
The SLA, §3 verifies that states own the lands beneath the navigable waters within their boundaries.