The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 



This act sets out to broaden the national solid waste management program, 

 and conserve natural resources through waste reduction, and minerals and 

 energy recovery. EPA is authorized to: 



Regulate the disposal of all hazardous wastes. 



Establish state regulatory programs to close all open dumps and con- 

 trol all land disposal of solid wastes, including sludge. 



Encourage the development of basic national resource conservation 

 and recovery policies. 



Toxic Substances Control Act (P.L. 94-469) 



The Toxic Substances Control Act authorizes EPA to obtain data from 

 industry on selected chemical substances and mixtures and to regulate the sub- 

 stances when needed. Chemicals used exclusively in pesticides, food, food 

 additives, drugs, nuclear materials, tobacco, firearms, and ammunition are 

 exempt from this act. 



National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 



This act requires the preparation of a detailed environmental impact 

 statement whenever there is a proposed major Federal action that would signif- 

 icantly affect the quality of the human environment. Environmental impact 

 statements must be prepared prior to any major Federal activity in the coastal 

 zone, including offshore energy development. 



National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 



This law provides limited indemnification to the victims of flood disas- 

 ters through flood insurance to residents of flood-prone areas, provided that 

 local jurisdictions require land-use control measures to guide safe use of 

 flood zones. 



Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, and Amendments of 1975 



The purpose of this act is to encourage the development of comprehensive 

 state management programs and to formulate a national coastal zone policy for 

 lands in the coastal zone area. It is implemented by the Office of Coastal 

 Zone Management, National Oceanographic Atmospheric Administration, Department 

 of Commerce, and provides assistance to coastal state governments for the 

 development and implementation of coastal zone management plans. These plans 

 are designed to assure the orderly and environmentally sound development of 

 the coastal zone. Recent amendments to the act provide additional financial 

 assistance to coastal states for new facilities and additional planning needed 

 to offset coastal energy development. In Florida the Coastal Zone Management 

 plan is in the final stages of development and approval. 



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