This dissertation takes a retrospective look at the first decade of EPA's implementation of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act commonly known as Superfund. Two models are employed that reflect EPA's implementation of Superfund: a rational threats game-theoretic bargaining model and a discrete choice empirical model. The game theoretic hazardous waste bargaining model produces an elegant and simple decision rule. Using this decision rule, EPA compares the expected transaction costs incurred because of litigation against EPA's prospects for a court-ordered award. The agency enters into bargaining when the savings from avoiding litigation is equal to the court-ordered award. EPA and the coalition of responsible parties bargain about how to share site clean-up costs (mixed funding) and when successful, enter into a voluntary settlement. The discrete choice empirical analysis reveals that high transaction costs, lengthy delays in site clean-ups and limited enforcement/litigation characterize EPAs implementation of CERCLA during the decade ending in 1990. Differences in how EPA implements this legislation across EPA Regions is explored. Compared to the other Eastern EPA Regions, EPA Region 4 is less likely to litigate and more likely to use Superfund monies to clean up hazardous waste sites.

The purpose of this study was to determine the degree to which existing aquatic facilities in the North Texas metroplex complied with the 1991 Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) and the proposed Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines: Recreation Facilities (ADAAG supplement). Fifty-two aquatic facilities were evaluated based on: parking lot, ticket counter, gate/entry, restroom, dressing area, drinking fountain, pathway, and pool entry method structural domains. Physical measurements and a few direct observations were recorded on the survey instrument. Surveys were then reviewed and facility scores were tabulated. No facility was found to be 100% compliant with ADAAG and the ADAAG supplement. Aquatic facilities are already struggling to catch up with the 1991 ADAAG, but when the United States Department of Justice approves the proposed ADAAG supplement, aquatic facilities will fall even further behind.

The fashion industry is one of the largest industries in world, yet the priority of creating an adequate protection for the industry can be questioned. Thankfully, the EU introduced the UCDR in the early 21st century, which grants protection for the appearance of a design of it reaches the requirements of novelty and individual character.  The aim of this thesis has been to examine whether the UCDR is adequte for small fashion businesses and designers trying to gain a foothold in the industry. The larger businesses are not of interest as they have the resources to go through court-proceedings. As the UCDR is quite a new protection and the thesis aims to see if it is in fact the best protection for small fashion businesses, a comparison have been made with three national legislations within the EU; France, UK and Sweden. All requirements and aspects of the UCDR and the national legislations have been analysed with the finding that the UCDR, even though the french legislation is more generous in giving out protection, is the best protection for small businesses within the EU. The UCDR ensures that the copyist is caught whilst interpretations are allowed. Nevertheless, it has been found that there is a need for clarification regarding whether a design first disclosed in a third country can gain protection, if it is made available within the EU before the circles specialised operating within the Community become aware of the design. Furthermore, the time it takes to go through litigation exceeds the lifetime of the design which has been allegedly infringed. This makes the UCDR:s deterrent effect lower, although not non-existent. At the end of the thesis, suggestions have been made as to how these issues can and/or should be solved, and a basis for a future discussion have been made.