Statutes and Regulatory Links

Marine Policy & Law

UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

THIS PAGE IS CURRENTLY A WORK IN PROGRESS

Many statutes address various aspects of resources and activities in the Gulf of Mexico within the appropriate Exclusive Economic Zone. Below is a list of selected legislation related to the Gulf of Mexico for each of the three Gulf-bordering nations: United States, Cuba, and Mexico. Each statute represented below does not constitute the official version of the law. These versions are periodically updated and may not reflect the most recent amendments.

U.S. Federal Statutes

Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships as of Feb. 1, 2010

Clean Air Act as amended through 2008

Coastal Barrier Improvement Act of 1990

Coastal Barrier Resources Act as amended through P.L. 107-136, Jan. 24, 2002

Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 as amended through P.L. 109-58, Jan. 4, 2005

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 as of Jan. 5, 2009

Deepwater Port Act of 1974 as amended through P.L. 106-580, Dec. 29, 2000 (P.L. 107-295 in 2002 amends language to include natural gas)

Dingell-Johnson Sportfish Restoration Act as amended through P.L. 107-136, Jan. 24, 2002 (has since been reauthorized through 2009)

Endangered Species Act of 1973 as of Feb. 1, 2010

Energy Policy Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-58)

Estuaries and Clean Waters Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-457)

Federal Water Pollution Control Act (also Clean Water Act) as of Feb. 1, 2010

Federal Water Project Recreation Act as amended through P.L. 106-580, Dec. 29, 2000

Federal Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration Programs as amended through P.L. 104-333, Nov. 12, 1996

Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act as amended through P.L. 106-580, Dec. 29, 2000

Intermodal Surface Transportation Act of 1991 as amended through P.L. 107-136, Jan. 24, 2002.

Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, P.L. 94-265, as amended through Jan. 12, 2007

Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 as amended in 2004 and 2007

Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 as amended through P.L. 106-580, Dec. 29, 2000

Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (P.L. 107-295)

Migratory Bird Conservation Act as amended through P.L. 107-136, Jan. 24, 2002

Migratory Bird Treaty Act as amended through P.L. 107-136, Jan. 24, 2002

National Climate Protection Act as amended through P.L. 106-586, Dec. 29, 2000

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 as amended through December 31, 2000

National Marine Sanctuaries Act as amended through P.L. 106-513, Nov. 2000

Noise Control Act of 1972 as amended through P.L. 107-377, Dec. 31, 2002

Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-646) as amended through P.L. 106-580, Dec. 29, 2000

North American Wetlands Conservation Act as amended through P.L. 107-137, Jan. 24, 2002

Ocean Dumping Ban Act as of Feb. 1, 2010

Oil Pollution Act of 1990 as amended through P.L. 106-580, Dec. 29, 2000

Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act as amended through P.L. 106-580, Dec. 29, 2000

Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act as amended through P.L. 107-136, Jan. 24, 2002

Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 as amended through P.L. 107-377, Dec. 31, 2002

Refuge Recreation Act as amended through P.L. 106-580, Dec. 29, 2000

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act as of Jan. 5, 2009

Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act [Act of March 3, 1899] as amended through P.L. 106-580, Dec. 29, 2000

Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act as amended through P.L. 107-136, Jan. 24, 2002

Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act as amended through P.L. 106-580, Dec. 29, 2000

U.S. Regulatory Agencies

Various Federal agencies have authority under and implementing regulations for the above statutes. Listed below are several of the U.S. Federal agencies that play regulatory roles in the Gulf of Mexico.

National Marine Fisheries Service

National Ocean Service

U.S Army Corps of Engineers

U.S. Coast Guard

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Within the United States, each state bordering the Gulf of Mexico also has legislation that is related to Gulf of Mexico resources within the particular state's jurisdiction. Click on the links below to search for state statutes and regulations and to visit related agency websites.

Texas

Texas Legislature

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Texas Water Development Board

Texas General Land Office

Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board

Louisiana

Louisiana Legislature

Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality

Louisiana Department of Natural Resources

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Louisiana State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

Mississippi

Mississippi Legislature

Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality

Mississippi Department of Marine Resources

Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks

Alabama

Alabama Legislature

Alabama Department of Environmental Management

Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee

Florida

Florida Legislature

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Cuban Laws and Policies

National Environmental Strategy 2007-2010 (English and Spanish)

Law 81 of the Environment (National Environmental Framework law)

Law 85 Forestry Law (includes mangroves)

Decree Law 212--Coastal Zone Management (English and Spanish)

Decree Law 201--National System of Protected Areas (English and Spanish)

Decree Law 164--Regulation of Fisheries

Resolution 132-2009--Environmental Impact Evaluation Process

Resolution 111-96--Regulation of Biodiversity (undergoing amendment)

Law 76--Law of Mines

Law 77--Law of Foreign Investment

Manual on Environmental Legislation for Coastal Zone

RC 1-97 MIP-CITMA (Joint Resolution on the protection of coral reefs between the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment and the Ministry of Fisheries)

Mexican Laws

Ley General del Equilibrio Ecológico y la Protección al Ambiente

Ley General de Población

Ley General de Pesca y Acuacultura Sustentables

Ley General de Protección Civil

Ley General para la Prevención y Gestión Integral de los Residuos

Ley General de Salud

Ley General de Vida Silvestre

Ley Minera

Ley de Navegación y Comercio Marítimos

Ley Orgánica de la Administración Pública Federal

Ley de Obras Pública y Servicios Relacionadas con las Mismas