What is the Superfund Act?
The Superfund Act, also known as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), is a United States federal law passed in 1980. It was established to clean up hazardous waste sites and prevent future contamination. This act created a trust fund by taxing major chemical and petrochemical companies, referred to as the Superfund, to finance the cleanup of abandoned sites. Under this Act, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies and prioritizes hazardous waste sites for cleanup. The EPA is tasked with identifying the responsible parties for each site, and then reaches out to them to finance parts or all of the cleanup. If the responsible parties cannot or will not take responsibility, the Superfund steps in to provide the necessary financial resources. In California, the Superfund Act is enforced by the Office of the Regional Water Quality Control Board, Central Valley Region. This agency is tasked with protecting and enhancing water quality in California, and is a major supporter of the Superfund Act. It also works with communities to ensure that their local environment remains safe and healthy. The Superfund Act is an essential part of environmental law in California, and its policies and procedures help protect local environments from potential hazards. It is important to remember that the Superfund Act is often the last line of defense in cleaning up hazardous sites and protecting our environment from further contamination.
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