Confusing USA Environmental Regulations – Update March 2015
Because of the USA’s geographic expanse, and its multiple governmental entities’ concurrent or overlapping jurisdiction in maritime and environmental matters, it is impossible to concisely summarize the various laws and regulations that impact a ship in USA waters. But there can be no doubt that due to applicable international treaties, USA federal laws (sometimes inconsistently enforced by different federal agencies), and widely differing laws among the 50 individual states that shipowners and operators face a target filled radar screen in USA waters.