What is the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)?
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) is a federal environmental law that establishes liability for clean-up and natural resource damages for releases of hazardous substances into the environment. It is also referred to as the Superfund law. CERCLA was passed in 1980 by Congress and serves to provide protection from the effects of release of hazardous substances into the environment. Under CERCLA, the federal government is authorized to respond to release or threatened release of hazardous substances that may pose a risk to human health or the environment. This law requires responsible persons or companies to take appropriate clean-up and remediation actions, or to pay for costs associated with the clean-up. It also establishes liability for the cost of clean-up and natural resource damage. CERCLA also includes provisions for the collection of costs associated with the clean up, including reimbursement of the government’s response costs and natural resource damages. It also provides authority for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue orders to clean up hazardous sites and remove existing or threatened sources of hazardous materials from areas where public health or the environment may be at risk. In Washington, CERCLA has been adopted on the state level and is enforced by the Washington State Department of Ecology. The Washington State Department of Ecology implements the federal law and works closely with the EPA to assess and manage hazardous sites. Washington State has its own specific environmental clean-up regulations and requirements that must be met.
Related FAQs
What is the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)?What is environmental site assessment?
What are environmental permitting requirements?
What are the penalties for violating environmental laws?
What is the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)?
What is the best way to make sure I am in compliance with environmental regulations?
What is the National Historic Preservation Act?
What is environmental auditing?
What is the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act?
What is the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)?
Related Blog Posts
What is Environmental Law and How Does It Protect the Planet? - July 31, 2023The Growing Impact of Environmental Regulations on Businesses - August 7, 2023
Exploring Common Environmental Law Violations and Their Consequences - August 14, 2023
Getting Up to Speed on Current Environmental Law Trends & Developments - August 21, 2023
The Benefits of Following an Environmental Law Compliance Plan - August 28, 2023