Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Noise Control Act of 1972
P.L. 92 - 574 (as amended). Makes the federal
government responsible for setting standards for noise detrimental to the
human environment from a broad range of sources.
•
Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982
. Requires the Department of Energy
(DOE) to prepare guidelines for and select a geologic site for the stor-
age of high-level waste by 1998 and a second site at a later date. The DOE
is also responsible for waste management, including interim storage and
transportation.
•
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970
P.L. 91 - 956. Prevents occupa-
tional disease and accidents and establishes workplace standards as well as
national standards for significant new pollution sources and for all facilities
emitting hazardous substances.
•
Ports and Waterways Safety Act of 1972
PL. 92 - 340. Regulates, through
the Coast Guard, the bulk of shipment of oil and hazardous materials by
waters, also under the authority of the
Tanker Act
and the
Dangerous Cargo
Act
.
•
Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act of 1979
. Requires utilities to purchase
energy produced by small power generators at a set cost.
•
Radiation Control for Health and Safety Act of 1968
. Controls performance
standards for electronic products and notification of defects, also repair or
replacement.
•
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976
RL. 94 - 580 (as amended).
(Revised by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984, P.L.
98 - 616.) Requires a regulatory system for the generation, treatment, trans-
port, storage, and disposal of hazardous wastes — that is, hazardous to human
health or to the environment, including a manifest system, from the “cra-
dle to the grave.” This conserves natural resources directly and through
resource recovery from wastes. It protects groundwater from contamination
and controls landfills and underground storage tanks for hazardous materials
and lagoons. Land disposal, landfilling, placement in salt domes, beds, or
underground mines, and injection of hazardous wastes into or above under-
ground drinking water source are banned. Small generators, transporters,
and disposers are also regulated.
•
River and Harbor Act of 1899
. Prohibits discharge of refuse to naviga-
ble waters. Also
Oil Pollution Control Act of 1924
. U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers is the responsible agency.
•
Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974
PL. 93 - 523 (as amended 1986). Autho-
rizes the EPA to establish regulations for drinking water in public water
systems, including microbiological, radiologic, organic and inorganic chem-
ical standards, and turbidity levels in drinking water, to protect the public's
health. Also controls underground injection of hazardous waste and lead in
drinking water, permits sole-source aquifer designation, and provides for
water supply source and wellhead protection.
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