Summary of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (Superfund)

Introduction to CERCLA (Superfund)

CERCLA stands for the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, also known as Superfund.
Provides a Federal "Superfund" to address the cleanup of hazardous waste sites, spills, and other releases of pollutants.
Enforces cleanup and seeks cooperation from responsible parties.

Superfund Sites
- EPA manages cleanup of sites where responsible parties are unidentified, unlocated, or unresponsive.
- Utilizes enforcement tools such as orders, consent decrees, and settlements.
- Costs can be recovered from financially viable parties post-response action.
- Coordination with state environmental agencies for site management.
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA)
- Reauthorized CERCLA in 1986 to continue national cleanup efforts.
- Introduced site-specific amendments, clarified definitions, set technical requirements, and expanded enforcement authority.
- Included the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA).

Tools and strategies are employed to ensure waste, chemical, and cleanup enforcement.

The legislation has evolved with amendments and reauthorizations to address emerging environmental challenges.

Managed by the Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation (OSRTI).
OSRTI oversees cleanup efforts for hazardous waste sites across the nation.

The official text of CERCLA can be found in the United States Code, 42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.
More details about policies, guidance, and laws related to Superfund are available through the EPA's resources.

The EPA provides various channels for contact, feedback, and reporting issues related to environmental regulations and compliance.
Offers multilingual support and additional information about laws, regulations, and executive orders.