52 
ings regarded this compromise as essentially favorable to the Senate 
position since the Environmental Protection Agency would prevail 
in the event of disagreement. On the other issues, the Senate yielded 
to the House. The House favored control of discharges into all ocean 
waters arid the Senate covered only those discharges three miles from, 
the coast and beyond. On the question of marine sanctuaries, Title 
III was restored as described below. 
The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 
(Public Law 92-532) was passed on October 23, 1972. This Act regu- 
lates all ocean dumping by U.S. nationals and “the transportation of 
material from the United States for dumping into ocean waters, and 
the dumping of material, transported from outside the United States, 
if the dumping occurs in ocean waters over which the United States 
has jurisdiction or over which it may exercise control, under accepted 
principles of international law, in order to protect its territory or terri- 
torial sea.” °° Any type of materials that adversely affects human 
health, welfare, or amenities, or the marine environment, ecological 
systems or economic potentialities is regulated by this Act. Radiolog- 
ical, chemical or biological warfare agents and high-level radioactive 
wastes are specifically mentioned. Penalties and fines up to $50,000 
are prescribed for violations. Funds for comprehensive research on 
ocean dumping were authorized to be appropriated for 3 years. Title 
III authorized the establishment of marine sanctuaries as far seaward 
as the edge of the Continental Shelf for the purpose of preserving or 
restoring such areas fdr their conservation, 1ecreation, ecological, or 
esthetic values. 
Amendments to this Act were adopted on March 22, 1974 (P.L. 
93-254) to implement the provisions of the Convention on the Pre- 
vention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter 
pursuant to the policy of Congress that the President seek effective 
international action in this area. These amendments were embodied in 
S. 1351 introduced by Senator Warren G. Magnuson and H.R. 5450 
the companion bill introduced by Congresswoman Leonor K. Sullivan. 
Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 
Congressional interest in the coastal zone was aroused after the 
publication of the report entitled Our Nation and the Sea by the 
Commission on Marine Science, Engineering and Resources in 
January 1969. The report recommended, among other things, ‘‘that a 
Coastal Management Act be enacted which will provide policy 
objectives for the coastal zone and authorize Federal grants-in-aid to 
facilitate the establishment of State Coastal Zone Authorities em- 
powered to manage the coastal waters and adjacent land.” * 
Legislation on coastal zone management was introduced in both 
Houses in the 91st Congress. The forerunner of legislation enacted in 
the 92nd Congress, S. 2802, was introduced late in the first session of 
the 91st Congress by Senator Warren G. Magnuson. Later, an ad- 
ministration-backed bill, S. 3183, was introduced, based on recom- 
mendations made in another report, The National Estuarine Pollution 
Study.” This study was undertaken by the Department of the In- 
50 Public Law 92-532 sec. 2. , 
51 Our Nation and the Sea. Report of the Commission on Marine Science, Engineering and Resources. 
January 1969. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1969. p. 57. 
52 U.S. Congress. The National Estuarine Pollution Study. Report of the Interior to the United States 
Congress Pursuant to P.L. 89-753, The Clean Water Restoration Act of 1966. 91st Congress, 2nd session 
Document No. 91-58. March 25, 1970. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Oifice, 1970. 633 p. 
