Oil pollution of coastal and inland waters under the Water Quality Improvement Act of 1970

Oils spillage is causing increasing damage to this country's waters. To combat water pollution in general and oil pollution in particular, Congress has passed many laws including the Water Pollution Act of 1886, the River and Habor Act of 1899, the Oil Pollution Act of 1924, the Oil Pollution Act of 1961 and the 1966 Clean Water Restoration Act. The Water Quality Improvement Act of 1970 made many changes to help prevent oil pollution and to control it after it has occurred. The Act prohibits the discharge of oil in harmful quantities into navigable waters. It provides for a plan to remove oil and makes the owner of any vessel discharging oil liable for actual costs unless the spillage falls under one of the stated exceptions. It requires proof of financial stability to the extent of liability. The Act allows government forces to control and clean up oil already on the beaches. In addition beach front property owners affected by oil spills are helped because the National Contingency Plan which calls for immediate clean up includes private property. The Act also provides for enforcement of its provision by the Coast Guard.