<Ul> <Li> The National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan ( NCP ) 1968 : The NCP established the response system the federal government was to follow in the event of oil spills and release of hazardous materials into the environment . The NCP was a response by U.S. policy makers to the Torrey Canyon oil tanker spill off the coast of England . It has since been amended by the Clean Water Act ( 1972 ) , the Oil Pollution Act ( 1990 ) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response , Competition and Liability Act ( CERCLA ) 1980 . The Oil Pollution Act increased the role and dimensions of the NCP by establishing a more robust planning and response system to improve response and prevent spills in marine environments . </Li> <Li> The Clean Water Act ( 1972 ) : The clean water act ( CWA ) was the most extensive legislation which considered oil spills prior to the Exxon Valdez spill . The CWA made provisions for post-spill reporting , response and liability by the responsible party . </Li> <Li> The Trans - Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act ( 1973 ) : Major oil transportation via pipelines goes through the Trans - Alaskan route . Spills from pipelines along this route although inland , could migrate into coastal waters via inland rivers . Hence the act was established to cover oil spills and liability relating to the Trans - Alaska Pipeline System ( TAPS ) . </Li> <Li> The Deep Port Act ( 1974 ) : This was the major statute for deep water spill incidents . It addressed oil spills , cleanup and liability at deepwater oil ports . </Li> <Li> The Outer Continent Shelf Lands Act Amendments ( 1978 ) : This act addressed oil spills , cleanup and liability structure for oil extraction facilities in federal offshore waters . </Li> <Li> The Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Act of ( 1979 ) : This act granted the Department of Transport ( DOT ) authority to govern oil spills from pipelines . </Li> <Li> The Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of ( 2006 ) : This act was established to improve pipeline safety and security practices . This act also reaffirmed the role of the federal office of pipeline safety relevant governing body in terms of pipeline spills under the DOT . </Li> </Ul>
legislations that have been implemented to minimize the damage caused by oil spills
The Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of ( 2006 ) The Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Act of ( 1979 ) The Outer Continent Shelf Lands Act Amendments ( 1978 ) The Deep Port Act ( 1974 ) The Trans - Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act ( 1973 ) The Clean Water Act ( 1972 ) The National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan ( NCP ) 1968