What is the Superfund Act?
The Superfund Act is a federal law that was passed by the United States Congress in 1980. It, also known as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), is the primary legislation to respond to environmental catastrophes that threaten public health and the environment. The Superfund Act requires that companies that are liable for environmental damage pay for the cost of cleanup such as removal and containment of hazardous waste materials. It also requires that the responsible party take reasonable steps to mitigate further environmental harm. The law is enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Florida and other states. The EPA can issue an order to the responsible party to clean up the site or take other action to mitigate the damage. If the responsible party fails to comply with the order, the EPA can take legal action to force the company to clean up the site or face penalties. The Superfund Act also provides funding for clean-up through the Superfund Trust Fund. This fund is used to pay for the clean-up of hazardous waste sites that have been identified as potential environmental hazards. The Superfund Act serves an important role in protecting Florida’s environmental health and safety. It ensures that responsible parties are held accountable for any environmental damage caused and are required to pay for clean-up costs where appropriate. The funds provided by the Superfund Trust Fund also help to ensure that dangerous sites are properly managed and remediated in order to protect public health and the environment.
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