Environment

National Topsoil Preservation Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1993

National Topsoil Preservation Act of 1993 - Establishes a National Land Resources Protection Commission which shall establish standards for stockpiling and replacing topsoil on lands where federally assisted projects are carried out. Directs the Commission to establish minimum standards to assure that projects will not pollute existing streams, cause landslides or flooding, or substantially change the water volume carried by the natural waterways adjoining the immediate construction area. Authorizes the Commission to require a plan, a compliance bond for a project prior to any earth moving, or both. Requires the Commission to report annually to the Congress. Authorizes appropriations.

To establish a moratorium on the promulgation and implementation of certain drinking water regulations promulgated under the Safe Drinking Water Act, to modify the definition of public water system, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1993

Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from implementing any national primary drinking water regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act (the Act) or any similar regulation until this Act's requirements are met and legislation that extends the authorization of the Act is enacted. Requires the Administrator to study and report to the Congress on: (1) each final regulation promulgated under the Act and regulatory alternatives that reflect a range of levels of safety or direct health benefits; (2) any health effect an alternative would prevent and the system-level incremental cost of each alternative; (3) the contaminants listed pursuant to the Act for purposes of considering revisions to the list, taking into account anticipated adverse health effects of the contaminant, the risk or safety factors associated with the maximum contaminant level, and whether the contaminant may occur in public water systems; (4) compliance deadlines; (5) whether a regulation should apply exclusively to small public water systems; and (6) recommended alternatives to ensure that States and political subdivisions meet funding needs to carry out the Act. Directs the Administrator, if the implementation or promulgation of a primary drinking water regulation is justifiable to protect human health, to implement or promulgate such regulation without regard to the requirements of this Act. Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to exclude from the definition of "public water system" any system which: (1) relies only on surface water supplies; (2) serves only seasonal rental residences; and (3) serves 100 or fewer individuals.

Plastic Container Identification Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1993

Plastic Container Identification Act of 1993 - Requires labeling of plastic containers indicating the plastic resin used to produce the container.

To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to add Morro Bay, California, to the priority list of the national estuary program.

United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1993

Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to include Morro Bay, California, in the list of areas to be given priority consideration for inclusion in the national estuary program.

California Central Coast National Marine Sanctuary Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1993

California Central Coast National Marine Sanctuary Act - Designates a specified area of submerged lands and waters, including living and other resources, as the California Central Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Allows the Governor of California to prevent this Act from taking effect for any area in California State waters by objecting within a specified period. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to develop a comprehensive management plan. Authorizes appropriations.

To amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.

United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1993

Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to change from discretionary to mandatory the Secretary of the Interior's authority to cancel a lease or permit within such lands in specified circumstances. Revises the condition that the Secretary must determine that continued activity would probably cause serious harm or damage. States that lease or permit cancellation shall occur if the activity has resulted in or poses a threat of serious harm or damage and that the environmental or other resources harmed or placed at risk are of substantial value. Prohibits the cancellation of a lease or permit unless its operation has been suspended or temporarily prohibited by the Secretary or the Congress. (Current law provides for suspension by the Secretary alone.) Decreases the due extension of such suspended lease term from five years to one. Allows the compensation for a cancelled lease to be made in the form of currency, forgiveness of the lessee's obligation to pay rents or royalties on another issued lease, or against bonus payments for future lease purchases. Changes the administrative procedure for processing comments received from a Governor modifying a proposed Outer Continental Shelf leasing program that affects his or her State. Requires the national interest of lands within the Outer Continental Shelf to be determined by application of a balancing process that gives equal weight to obtaining oil and gas supplies and to protection of the environment. Directs the Secretary to accept a Governor's recommendation providing a reasonable balance between the national interest and the well-being of the citizens of such affected State, unless found to be based on a material error of fact or arbitrary or capricious. Sets requirements for peer review and publication deadlines for certain environmental studies.

To deem the Florida Panther to be an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1993

Makes the Florida panther an endangered species for purposes of the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

To establish a Commission on Environment and Development.

United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1993

Establishes the Commission on Environment and Development to: (1) monitor the actions of the signatories to documents of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) that reflect compliance with or violations of the goals of the Articles of Agenda 21 of UNCED, the Statement of Principles on the Maintenance, Conservation, and Development of All Forests, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the Convention on Biological Diversity; (2) monitor and encourage the development of U.S. Government and private programs with a view toward advancing the objectives of UNCED; and (3) review reports submitted by countries to the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Authorizes appropriations.

Infrastructure Now for America's-Tomorrow Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1993

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Infrastructure Repair Title II: Funding for Infrastructure Repair and Deficit Reduction Infrastructure Now For America's-Tomorrow Act of 1993 - Title I: Infrastructure Repair - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration to make grants to State and local governments for projects for: (1) the repair, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of highways and bridges; and (2) the construction of highway lanes for high occupancy vehicles. Sets forth application requirements and the Federal share (80 percent). Authorizes the Administrator to make loans to governments receiving grants for such projects to assist them in covering the non-Federal share of the cost of the project. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the Administrator of: (1) the Federal Transit Administration to make grants to governments for projects for the repair, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of transit facilities; (2) the Federal Aviation Administration to make grants to sponsors, owners, and operators of public-use airports for the repairs, reconstruction, and rehabilitation; and (3) the Environmental Protection Agency to make grants to governments for environmental improvement projects, including projects for the construction, reconstruction, repair, and rehabilitation of wastewater treatment works. Sets forth limitations on the use of grant funds regarding: (1) land acquisition; (2) payment of maintenance costs; (3) the non-Federal share; (4) Buy American requirements; and (5) minority participation. Title II: Funding for Infrastructure Repair and Deficit Reduction - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the rate of excise taxes and the rates on motor fuels for deficit reduction to fund the Infrastructure Now For America's-Tomorrow Trust Fund. Establishes such trust fund to finance the grant program for infrastructure repair. Imposes a floor stocks tax on such motor fuels, with exceptions. Requires the transfer of such revenue to the trust fund.

Wetlands Delineation Fairness Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1993

Wetlands Delineation Fairness Act - Requires Federal wetlands delineation criteria regarding wetland hydrology to apply uniformly to all areas, including areas known as playas, playa lakes, prairie potholes, vernal pools, and pocosins. Defines "wetland hydrology" as the number of consecutive days that an area must be inundated or saturated with water.

Beaches Environmental Assessment, Closure, and Health Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1993

Beaches Environmental Assessment, Closure, and Health Act of 1993 - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue water quality criteria for pathogens in coastal recreation waters. Requires States to adopt consistent water quality standards. Requires the Administrator to publish regulations specifying methods to be used by States to monitor coastal recreation waters, during periods of use by the public, for compliance with standards. Requires notification of local governments and the public of water quality standards violations. Requires the Administrator to: (1) issue guidance on uniform assessment and monitoring procedures for floatable materials in coastal recreation waters; and (2) specify the conditions under which the presence of floatable material constitutes a threat to public health and safety. Requires an ongoing study and report to the Congress on developing better indicators for detecting harmful bacteria and viruses in coastal recreation waters. Requires State coastal zone management agencies to provide technical assistance to local governments to ensure that coastal recreation waters and beaches are as free as possible from floatable materials. Amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to authorize grants to eligible coastal States for the reduction of floatable materials in coastal recreation waters. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States to fulfill requirements under this Act. Authorizes appropriations.

Department of the Environment Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1993

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Elevation of the Environmental Protection Agency to Cabinet Level Title II: Environmental Role of the United States in International Organizations to Which it Belongs Title III: Establishment of the Commission on Improving Environmental Protection Title IV: Effective Date Department of the Environment Act of 1993- Title I: Elevation of the Environmental Protection Agency to Cabinet Level - Department of the Environment Act - Redesignates the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the Department of the Environment. Encourages the Secretary of the Environment to: (1) assist the Secretary of State in participating in international environmental protection agreements and organizations; (2) conduct research on and develop responses to international environmental problems; and (3) provide assistance to foreign countries and international bodies to improve the environment. Establishes a Bureau of Environmental Statistics and an Advisory Council on Environmental Statistics. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes grants to, and contracts with, State and local governments to assist in data collection. Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences for a report on the adequacy of the Department's data collection procedures and capabilities. Authorizes appropriations. Sets forth conflict-of-interest disclosure requirements for persons entering into arrangements for services with the Secretary. Requires public notice when the award of a contract may result in a conflict of interests. Title II: Environmental Role of the United States in International Organizations to Which It Belongs - Urges the Secretary of State to convene international conferences to encourage the exchange of information on energy efficiency and environmentally acceptable renewable energy sources. Requires the President to encourage the establishment of an international office to monitor annual generation of carbon dioxide and trace gases on a country-by-country basis. Title III: Establishment of the Commission on Improving Environmental Protection - Establishes the Commission on Improving Environmental Protection to make recommendations on the implementation of Federal environmental laws to protect human health and the environment. Authorizes appropriations. Title IV: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date.

National Institutes of Health Revitalization Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1993

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: General Provisions Regarding Title IV of Public Health Service Act Title II: National Institutes of Health in General Title III: General Provisions Respecting National Research Institutes Title IV: National Cancer Institute Title V: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Title VI: National Institute on Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Title VII: National Institute on Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Title VIII: National Institute on Aging Title IX: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Title X: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Title XI: National Eye Institute Title XII: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Title XIII: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Title XIV: National Library of Medicine Title XV: Other Agencies of National Institutes of Health Title XVI: Awards and Training Title XVII: National Foundation for Biomedical Research Title XVIII: Research With Respect to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Title XIX: Studies Title XX: Miscellaneous Provisions Title XXI: Effective Dates National Institutes of Health Revitalization Amendments of 1993 - Title I: General Provisions Regarding title IV of Public Health Service Act - (Sec. 101) Amends the Public Health Service Act to condition research funding on human subject review and scientific and technical peer review. Prohibits withholding funding on ethical grounds unless an ethics advisory board so recommends. (Sec. 111) Regulates human fetal tissue transplantation research. (Sec. 121) Removes provisions regarding: (1) biomedical ethics; (2) waiver of a risk standard; and (3) the construction of title IV (National Research Institutes). Declares ineffective a Federal regulation relating to ethical advisory boards. (Sec. 131) Requires inclusion of women and minorities as subjects in each clinical research project under such title IV. (Sec. 141) Establishes: (1) the Office of Research on Women's Health; (2) the Coordinating Committee on Research on Women's Health; and (3) the Advisory Committee on Research on Women's Health. Mandates: (1) study of the representation of women among senior physicians and scientists of the national research institutes (NRIs) and among those conducting supported research; and (2) activities to increase that representation. Establishes a data system containing information on research on women's health. (Sec. 151) Establishes the Office of Scientific Integrity. Requires grant, contract, or cooperative agreement applicants to have a scientific misconduct report review process. Establishes the Commission on Scientific Integrity. Provides for employee whistle blower protection. Mandates measures against financial conflicts of interest. Title II: National Institutes of Health in General - (Sec. 201) Modifies the duties of the National Institute of Health's (NIH's) Associate Director for Prevention. (Sec. 202) Establishes a program to enhance competitiveness in States receiving little funding from the NRIs. (Sec. 203) Mandates activities, consistent with the global Children's Vaccine Initiative, to develop vaccines. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 204) Requires a plan regarding the use of animals in research. Establishes the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Use of Animals in Research. Repeals similar provisions. (Sec. 205) Authorizes activities to increase the number of women and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds in biomedical and behavioral research. (Sec. 206) Regulates surveys of human sexual behavior conducted or supported through NIH. (Sec. 207) Establishes a fund for use by the NIH Director to carry out NIH activities. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 208) Modifies NRI advisory council terms of office. Requires that at least half of NIH health education materials not exceed functional literacy. Authorizes a day care service for NIH employees. Title III: General Provisions Respecting National Research Institutes - (Sec. 301) Requires that the Secretary of Health and Human Services receive directly all funds appropriated for the Institute. Removes provisions authorizing the National Cancer Institute to directly receive such funds. Modifies requirements regarding the establishment of technical and scientific peer review groups. (Sec. 302) Requires expansion of research on osteoporosis, Paget's disease, and related bone disorders. Establishes a clearinghouse. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 303) Establishes a program of trauma research and the Trauma Research Interagency Coordinating Committee. Title IV: National Cancer Institute - (Sec. 401) Requires expanding National Cancer Institute (NCI) activities on breast and ovarian cancer, other cancers of the reproductive system of women, and prostate cancer. Authorizes appropriations. Removes authorizations of appropriations for NCI and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Title V: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute - (Sec. 501) Requires NHLBI to conduct intramural training and education. Authorizes centers on cardiovascular diseases in children. Establishes the National Center on Sleep Disorders. Authorizes appropriations for NHLBI. Title VI: National Institute on Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - (Sec. 601) Establishes a program on nutritional disorders. Provides for research and training centers. Title VII: National Institute on Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases - (Sec. 701) Establishes a children's arthritis and musculoskeletal disease center. Renames the National Arthritis Advisory Board as the National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Advisory Board and modifies its composition. Title VIII: National Institute on Aging - (Sec. 802) Mandates research into the aging processes of women. Authorizes appropriations for the National Institute on Aging. Title IX: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - (Sec. 901) Includes tropical diseases in the purposes of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Authorizes grants or contracts for centers for research on chronic fatigue syndrome. Establishes an extramural study section. Title X: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development - (Sec. 1001) Mandates grants or contracts for centers on contraception and infertility. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1002) Establishes programs of: (1) agreements with health professionals to conduct research on contraception or infertility in return for educational loan repayment; and (2) obstetrics and gynecology intramural laboratory and clinical research. (Sec. 1021) Mandates child health research center support. (Sec. 1031) Mandates a longitudinal, large-scale study on the well-being of U.S. adolescents. Allocates funding. Title XI: National Eye Institute - (Sec. 1101) Authorizes grants for diabetic eye care clinical research centers. Title XII: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke - (Sec. 1201) Mandates research on multiple sclerosis. Title XIII: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences - (Sec. 1301) Establishes the Applied Toxicological Research and Testing Program. Title XIV: National Library of Medicine - (Sec. 1401) Increases the limit on grants to medical libraries and related instrumentalities. Authorizes appropriations for the National Library of Medicine. Mandates grants for new educational technologies research. Establishes the National Information Center on Health Services Research and Health Care Technology. Title XV: Other Agencies of National Institutes of Health - (Sec. 1502) Authorizes grants to alter or construct research facilities. Establishes the Scientific and Technical Review Board on Biomedical and Behavioral Research Facilities. Authorizes appropriations. Reserves funds to construct or improve regional primate research centers. (Sec.1511) Redesignates the National Center for Nursing Research as the National Institute for Nursing Research. (Sec. 1521) Makes the National Center for Human Genome Research an NIH agency. Includes in Center purposes the mapping and sequencing of individual genes. Title XVI: Awards and Training - (Sec.1601) Provides for research recruitment and training for women and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. (Sec. 1611) Modifies existing and authorizes or mandates various new programs of scholarships and loan repayments for health professionals' education in exchange for specified service. (Sec. 1641) Authorizes appropriations related to National Research Service Awards. Requires a set-aside for provisions relating to residency programs in general dentistry. Title XVII: National Foundation for Biomedical Research - (Sec. 1701) Mandates the convening, by a specified date, of a meeting to appoint the Board of the National Foundation for Biomedical Research. Adds references to the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980. Authorizes appropriations. Title XVIII: Research with Respect to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome - (Sec. 1801) Modifies the duties of: (1) the AIDS Clinical Research Review Committee; and (2) the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) clinical evaluation units at the National Cancer Institute and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Modifies international AIDS efforts support requirements. Authorizes appropriations. Requires that model protocols for clinical AIDS care include treatment and prevention for women. Authorizes appropriations. Requires the AIDS epidemiological data base to include information on the natural history of AIDS infection. Authorizes appropriations. Mandates a comprehensive plan for NIH AIDS research. Authorizes appropriations for fellowship and training programs relating to AIDS. Title XIX: Studies - (Sec. 1901) Mandates studies regarding AIDS on: (1) parallel-track drug-release mechanisms; (2) third-party payment incident to participation as subjects in clinical trials; and (3) coordination of AIDS advisory committees. Requires a plan for the inclusion in NIH human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine studies of women, infants, and children infected with HIV. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 1902) Requires studies on malnutrition and the elderly. Establishes an advisory panel. (Sec. 1903) Mandates reports or studies on NIH: (1) research on chronic fatigue syndrome; (2) assuming responsibility for all Federal research relating to medical countermeasures against biowarfare; (3) support staff retention, recruitment, vacancy, and turnover rates; and (4) procurement. Title XX: Miscellaneous Provisions - (Sec. 2001) Redesignates the Senior Biomedical Research Service as the Silvio O. Conte Senior Biomedical Research Service and increases the limit on the number of its members. (Sec. 2004) Mandates a master plan to replace or refurbish NIH infrastructure. (Sec. 2006) Authorizes appropriations (currently, authorizes the use of funds) to carry out cancer registries provisions. Title XXI: Effective Date - (Sec. 2101) Sets forth the effective date of this Act and its amendments.

To direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish an office in a community in the United States located not more than 10 miles from the border between the United States and Mexico.

United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1993

Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish an office in a community in the United States located: (1) not more than ten miles from the border between the United States and Mexico; and (2) as close as practicable to the point that is halfway between San Diego, California, and Brownsville, Texas. Provides that the head of such office shall be the Regional EPA Administrator for the region. Directs the EPA Administrator to delegate to the Regional Administrator functions relating to: (1) administering EPA activities in such region; and (2) coordinating, and cooperating with the Government of Mexico in the implementation of, EPA programs relating to transboundary hazardous waste and air, soil, and water quality problems.

Oil Recycling and Safe Handling Act of 1993

United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1993

Oil Recycling and Safe Handling Act of 1993 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to revise provisions concerning the management of used oil. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to list as a hazardous waste any used oil and any product derived from such oil that fails to meet certain specifications for flashpoint, lead, arsenic, chromium, cadmium, halogens, and polychlorinated biphenyls. Permits fuel containing used oil that meets specifications without treatment to be marketed as containing ingredients that are not hazardous wastes if the oil and fuel are analyzed to demonstrate compliance. Exempts used oil generated by petroleum refining or production facilities which is to be refined along with normal process streams from requirements for hazardous waste under the Solid Waste Disposal Act if it is inserted into the refining process or production pipeline. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations for the management of used oil classified as a hazardous waste. Exempts from such regulation generators of used oil which is household waste, curbside collection programs, and specified scrap materials. Exempts certain used oil generators and collectors from hazardous waste regulations under the Solid Waste Disposal Act (other than those under this Act) if they meet certain recycling, transportation, disposal, and recordkeeping requirements. Applies standards for hazardous waste transporters and facilities to hazardous used oil transporters and facilities. Requires hazardous used oil facilities to obtain hazardous waste management permits. Directs the Administrator to require producers and importers of lubricating base stock to guarantee the reuse of an annually increasing percentage of used lubricating oil. Requires States to provide incentives to persons who accept and collect used oil. Imposes fees on lubricating base stock sold at retail and provides for the use of such fees for State and local used oil collection efforts. Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act to prohibit any person from bringing an action against (currently, recovering response costs or damages from) service station dealers for response costs or damages resulting from releases of used (currently, recycled) oil, subject to certain conditions.

Relating to the treatment and disposal of solid waste, authorizing States to regulate solid waste in interstate commerce, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 5 January 1993

Makes it unlawful to ship or transport any solid waste generated in a State into another State for treatment or disposal if such shipment or transportation is in violation of the laws of the recipient State. Authorizes States to enact and enforce laws regulating the treatment and disposition of solid waste, including laws regulating the importation of such wastes and laws imposing fees on the disposition of such out-of-State solid wastes. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to require persons transporting or shipping more than 100 pounds of solid waste in interstate commerce to submit annual registration statements which shall, upon request, be made available to the public.

Re-examined proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION (EEC) on the Evaluation and Control of the Environmental Risks of Existing Substances

European Union · European Commission · 4 January 1993