WHAT IS CERCLA?

• CERCLA stands for Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act.
• This is a federal law that pertains to toxic and hazardous chemicals.

• A special fund provided through federal government to respond to heavily contaminated sites.
• It is used to pay for the clean up of any major pollution sites that need to be cleaned up immediately.
• The government funds the clean up while the responsible parties of the hazardous site are being identified.
• Funding will continue if the party cannot afford the cost of remediation.

• CERCLA specifically names the United States Environmental Protection Agency as the federal agency responsible for enforcing the law and administering the Superfund.
• The EPA works closely with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to identify the hazardous materials and related health effects.

• This means to correct or clean up a polluted site.
• CERCLA requires that all Superfund sites must be made safe to prevent further contamination of the environment and to protect public health.
• After identifying contaminants and health hazards, a remediation plan is drafted, and subjected to approval by the EPA.