Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 86.djvu/858

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[86 STAT. 816]
PUBLIC LAW 92-000—MMMM. DD, 1972
[86 STAT. 816]

816

PUBLIC LAW 92-500-OCT. 18, 1972

[86 STAT.

Public Law 92-500 October 18, 1972 [S.2770]

Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972. 70 Stat. 498; 84 Stat. 9 1. 33 USC 1151 note.

AN ACT '* •-••-••-•* To amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Conaress assembled, That this Act may be cited as the "Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972". SEC. 2. The Federal Water Pollution Control Act is amended to read as follows: "TITLE I—RESEARCH AND RELATED PROGRAMS ((DECLARATION

Administration.

OF GOALS A X D POLICY

"SEC. 101. (a) The objective of this Act is to restore and maintain the chemical, physicalj and biological integrity of the Nation's waters. I n order to achieve this objective it is hereby declared that, consistent with the provisions of this Act— " (1) it is the national ^oal that the discharge of pollutants into the navigable waters be eliminated by 1985; " (2) it is the national goal that wherever attainable, an interim goal of water quality which provides for the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and provides for recreation in and on the water be achieved by July 1, 1983; " (3) it is the national policy that the discharge of toxic pollutants in toxic amounts be prohibited; "(4) it is the national policy that Federal financial assistance be provided to construct publicly owned waste treatment works; "(5) it is the national policy that area wide waste treatment management planning processes be developed and implemented to assure adequate control of sources of pollutants in each State; and " (6) it is the national policy that a major research and demonstration effort be made to develop technology necessary to eliminate the discharge of pollutants into the navigable waters, waters of the contiguous zone, and the oceans. •'(b) I t is the policy of the Congress to recognize, preserve, and protect the primary responsibilities and rights of States to prevent, reduce, and eliminate pollution, to plan the development and use (including restoration, preservation, and enhancement) of land and water resources, and to consult with the Administrator in the exercise of his authority under this Act. I t is further the policy of the Congress to support and aid research relating to the prevention, reduction, and elimination of pollution, and to provide Federal technical services and financial aid to State and interstate agencies and municipalities in connection with the prevention, reduction, and elimination of pollution. "(c) I t is further the policy of Congress that the President, acting through the Secretary of State and such national and international organizations as he determines appropriate, shall take such action as may be necessary to insure that to the fullest extent possible all foreign countries shall take meaningful action for the prevention, reduction, and elimination of pollution in their waters and in international waters and for the achievement of goals regarding the elimination of discharge of pollutants and the improvement of water quality to at least the same extent as the United States does under its laws. " (d) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Act, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (hereinafter in this Act called 'Administrator') shall administer this Act.