What is the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act?

The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) is a federal law that was passed in 1986 to update the original Superfund law from 1980. SARA provides the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the authority to respond to dangerous levels of hazardous substances and pollutants in the environment. It also provides for state and local governments to have a role in the cleanup of hazardous sites in California. SARA requires any responsible parties to the toxic releases to pay for the cleanup of the hazardous sites, while also providing funds from a special trust fund that is set aside for certain cleanup activities. The trust fund is replenished by taxes on companies that manufacture and import toxic chemicals. SARA also requires that people who live near hazardous sites are notified of the potential health hazards. The law also includes a system of insurance so that if responsible parties are unable or unwilling to fund or manage the cleanup of a hazardous site, the government can pay for cleanup and then pursue the responsible parties for reimbursement. SARA is designed to protect the health and safety of people living near hazardous sites by providing for the management and cleanup of hazardous sites. It also provides an incentive for companies to avoid releasing hazardous substances into the environment by imposing financial penalties and allowing the government to reclaim any cleanup costs from those who caused them.

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What is the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act?

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