Gulf of Mexico Act of 1993

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Title I: Department of Agriculture

Title II: Gulf of Mexico Commission

Title III: Environmental Protection Agency

Title IV: Administrative and Other Provisions

Gulf of Mexico Act of 1993 - Title I: Department of Agriculture - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) submit an inventory of Federal and State statutes and regulations affecting the use of wetlands for agricultural purposes to specified congressional committees; and (2) make recommendations for coordinating and simplifying such statutes and regulations, as well as recommendations for wetland regulation necessary to promote the economic and environmental interests of the Gulf of Mexico.

Title II: Gulf of Mexico Commission - Requires the President to establish a Gulf of Mexico Commission to promote the environmental and economic interests of the Gulf by coordinating the public authorities and private organizations that are engaged in evaluating and responding to problems relating to the Gulf.

Title III: Environmental Protection Agency - Establishes the Gulf of Mexico Program Office within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Requires the Director of the Program Office to: (1) create an inventory and data base of research on Gulf environmental quality issues; (2) establish a Gulf-wide network to monitor Gulf environmental quality and implement policies to improve environmental quality; and (3) coordinate Federal, State, and local activities to improve environmental quality.

Directs the EPA Administrator to publish a Gulf of Mexico Management Plan designed to: (1) summarize existing data on the environmental quality of the Gulf; (2) describe the monitoring network and the Program Office research inventory; (3) describe significant sources of pollution and activities to preserve critical habitats; (4) report on and recommend pollution prevention measures; (5) address the economic impact of such measures on development in the Gulf region; and (6) recommend the Federal, State, and local agencies to be charged with implementing the Plan.

Authorizes grants to States for implementing the monitoring network or Plan, subject to cost-sharing requirements. Bars the use of grants for purposes of relieving any person from liability under Federal or State law for damages, response costs, or relief.

Permits the Administrator to execute memoranda of understanding with other Federal agencies with jurisdiction over the Gulf.

Authorizes the Administrator to study the nature and extent of environmental problems in the Gulf and wider Caribbean region.

Title IV: Administrative and Other Provisions - Sets forth administrative provisions. Authorizes appropriations to carry out titles II and III of this Act.