Exxon Valdez Oil Spill

           Legislation is often implemented to meet the needs of people at large. When problems arise, distress is created, and legislation is often the result of a pressing issue or catastrophic event. For example, the Exxon Valdez oil spill resulted in the Oil Pollution Act (OPA). On March 4, 1989, the oil tanker Exxon Valdez spilled almost 11 million gallons of oil, affecting 1,100 miles of shoreline. The spill occurred on the outskirts of Prince William Sound, Alaska, going from Valdez, Alaska, to Los Angeles, California. This is the largest oil spill to date. The cleanup and monitoring of the affected areas continued from April 1989 to summer of 1991 (1).


           The OPA  "improved the nation's ability to prevent and respond to oil spills by establishing provisions that expand the federal government's ability, and provide the money and resources necessary, to respond to oil spills. The OPA also created the national Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, which is available to provide up to one billion dollars per spill incident" (2). The OPA addressed two main issues: (1) the lack of funds for natural disasters such as this particular oil spill, and (2) the issue of compensating those affected. Additionally, new regulations were implemented on the construction of ships. The hiring and licensing of the crew had more stringent requirements as well (3). 


(1) http://www.eoearth.org/article/Exxon_Valdez_oil_spill?topic=58075
(2) http://www.epa.gov/oem/content/lawsregs/opaover.htm
(3) http://www.uscg.mil/npfc/About_NPFC/opa.asp
Image: http://news.discovery.com/earth/exxon-valdez-110324.html