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STATUTORY AUTHORITIES 



There are seven principal authorities relevant to the ocean disposal 

 of radioactive materials, to oceans research, and to monitoring and 

 surveillance of dumpsites: 



The Atomic Energy Act of 1946 



Under this Act the Atomic Energy Commission, (AEC) was given 

 exclusive authority for all matters pertaining to atomic energy. 

 Subsequent executive actions and Acts of Congress transferred those 

 authorities to other Executive Agencies. 



Energy Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1970 



Under the Energy Reorganization Plan of 1970, the Environmental 

 Protection Agency (EPA) was established, and the authority to 

 "establish generally applicable environmental standards for 

 protection of the general environment from radioactive materials..." 

 was transferred from the AEC to EPA. 



The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 



This Act (PL 92-532), commonly referred to as the Oceans 

 Dumping Act, authorized EPA to regulate ocean dumping. Furthermore, 

 the Secretary of Commerce, in conjunction with the Administrator of 

 EPA, was directed to "initiate a comprehensive and continuing 

 program of monitoring and research regarding the effects of the 

 dumping of material into ocean waters..." 



The Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 



Under the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 the AEC was 

 abolished and its regulatory authorities were conveyed to the newly 

 created Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) while its other 

 responsibilities were transferred to the Department of Energy. 



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