What legislation was enacted following the Exxon Valdez oil spill?

The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 was specifically enacted in response to the Exxon Valdez oil spill, which occurred in March 1989. This legislation significantly overhauled the way the federal government dealt with oil spills and known risk factors associated with them. The act aimed to strengthen the federal government's ability to prevent and respond to oil spills, particularly by establishing a national framework to manage oil spill responses and requiring companies to prepare and submit contingency plans that addressed the potential for spills.

Additionally, the Oil Pollution Act implemented measures to improve state and local responses to spills and established the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund to provide resources for cleanup efforts. This act marked an important shift toward more proactive measures in environmental protection connected to oil handling and transportation.

The other options listed, while related to environmental protection, were enacted at different times and focused on various aspects of environmental policy rather than specifically addressing oil spills prompted by events like the Exxon Valdez incident.