1986 Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA)

Definition

The 1986 Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) is a significant piece of legislation that reauthorized and amended the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) to enhance the federal government's ability to clean up hazardous waste sites. SARA established new regulatory provisions, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in cleanup decisions and setting stricter standards for cleanup levels, which ultimately aimed to ensure better protection of human health and the environment.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. SARA introduced the concept of 'substantive' and 'procedural' changes to CERCLA, emphasizing not just the cleanup but also community involvement in decision-making processes.
2. The act mandated that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) develop regulations requiring public participation in Superfund site decisions.
3. SARA established new funding mechanisms and increased the authorization of funds available for hazardous waste cleanups through the Superfund trust fund.
4. It also emphasized the importance of permanent solutions to hazardous waste problems and established a requirement for remedial actions to meet certain cleanup standards.
5. SARA created a framework for determining liability among parties responsible for hazardous waste contamination, aiming to ensure that those responsible bear the costs of cleanup.

Review Questions

• How did SARA enhance public participation in the decision-making processes for hazardous waste site cleanups?
  • SARA emphasized community involvement by mandating that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) develop regulations that required public participation in the cleanup processes of Superfund sites. This included informing communities about site conditions, allowing public comment on cleanup plans, and providing opportunities for local residents to engage in discussions regarding remedial actions. The goal was to ensure that affected communities had a voice in decisions that impacted their health and environment.
• Discuss the financial mechanisms SARA implemented to improve funding for hazardous waste site cleanups compared to its predecessor.
  • SARA increased the authorization of funds available through the Superfund trust fund, allowing for more comprehensive financial support for cleaning up hazardous waste sites. It provided new funding mechanisms that not only facilitated immediate response efforts but also ensured ongoing resources were available for long-term remediation projects. This was crucial in addressing the extensive needs for site cleanups across the country, especially as more contaminated sites were identified under the National Priorities List.
• Evaluate how SARA's changes to cleanup standards and liability frameworks impacted environmental remediation efforts in the U.S.
  • SARA's amendments established stricter cleanup standards that aimed to protect public health and the environment more effectively than previous regulations. By requiring that remedial actions meet specific cleanup levels, it pushed for permanent solutions to hazardous waste problems rather than temporary fixes. Additionally, SARA's liability framework encouraged responsible parties to take accountability for their pollution by making them financially liable for cleanup costs. This combination fostered greater responsibility among polluters while promoting more rigorous environmental remediation efforts across the nation.

Related terms

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA): A federal law enacted in 1980 aimed at cleaning up sites contaminated with hazardous substances and establishing a trust fund to finance these cleanups.

National Priorities List (NPL): A list of the most hazardous waste sites in the U.S. that are eligible for cleanup under the Superfund program.

Hazardous Substances: Materials that pose a potential risk to human health or the environment due to their chemical nature, including pollutants, toxic waste, and other harmful substances.