Environmental Assessment of the Sale of National Defense Reserve Fleet Vesselsfor Scrapping. Appendix B. Substantive Law on Environmentally Compliant Ship Breaking/Recycling in the United States

摘要

In this report, federal and state environmental laws are reviewed to determinehow they may influence ship breaking/recycling within the United States. In addition, certain international agreements and foreign laws are examined to determine whether any of them present impediments to the continued export of Maritime Administration vessels for breaking/recycling. Part 1.0 summarizes the key issues found during the review. Part 2.0 reviews significant federal environmental and safety laws and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act. Most of the major environmental laws, including those regulating air quality, water quality, and hazardous waste, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act, affect vessel recycling. Part 3.0 reviews the environmental laws of 10 states. This part identifies the areas where state law differs significantly from federal law in areas affecting vessel recycling. Part 4.0 reviews the two major international agreements--the Basel Convention and the North American Free Trade Agreement--that could affect ship breaking/recycling. Part 5.0 reviews the laws of India, China, and Mexico.