Definitions for "Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act"
In 1980, CERCLA established a $1.6 billion fund, derived primarily from feedstock taxes on industry, to implement a massive environmental cleanup program over a five-year period. Generators were required to report to the EPA any facility at which hazardous wastes are, or have been, treated, stored, or disposed. The intent was to identify and clean up hazardous waste sites first, and then to litigate to recover costs. This law gave EPA strong powers to encourage private parties (PRPs) to clean up sites.
The purpose of CERCLA is to provide authorities with the ability to respond to uncontrolled releases of hazardous substances from inactive hazardous waste sites that endanger public health and the environment. CERCLA established prohibition and requirements concerning closed and abandoned hazardous waste sites, provided for liability of persons responsible for releases of hazardous waste at such sites, and established a trust fund to provide for cleanup when no responsible party could be identified.
Otherwise known as Superfund; enacted in 1980, provides for liability, compensation, cleanup and emergency response for hazardous substances released to the environment. Amended in 1986 by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA). Section 120 of CERCLA specifically addresses procedures to be followed for federal facilities investigation and cleanup, including BRAC installations. Section 120(h) was amended by the Community Environmental Response Facilitation Act of 1992 (CERFA).