Title: Oil Pollution Act of 1990 - WikiMili, The Best Wikipedia Reader
Headings: Oil Pollution Act of 1990
Oil Pollution Act of 1990
Oil Pollution Act of 1990
Contents
History/Background
Enactment timeline
Key Content (Titles) [1]
Enforcement
Concerns and reactions
Long-term effects of OPA
International treaties

Content: 4] [5]
On March 24, 1989, the Exxon Valdez hit aground in the Prince Williams Sound and spilled nearly 11 million gallons of crude oil—the largest marine oil spill in recorded history up to that point. [ 5] Soon afterward, in June 1989, three smaller spills occurred within coastal waters of the United States. This was timely evidence that oil spills were not uncommon. [ 4]
Alaska Governor Steve Cowper authorized the creation of the Alaska Oil Spill Commission in 1989 to examine the causes of the Exxon Valdez oil spill and issue recommendations on potential policy changes. Cowper appointed Walter B. Parker, a longtime transportation consultant and public official, as the chairman of the commission. [ 6] [7] Under Parker, the Commission issued 52 recommendations for improvements to industry, state, and federal regulations. [ 6] 50 of these recommendations were worked into the Oil Pollution Act bill [8] that was introduced into legislation on March 16, 1989 by Walter B. Jones, Sr., a Democratic Party congressman from North Carolina's 1st congressional district. [ 6]
Enactment timeline
March 16, 1989: the Oil Pollution Act was introduced into the legislative process for enactment.