What significant role does the EPA take on as empowered by SARA?

The significant role of the EPA, as empowered by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA), focuses on mandating permanent cleanups for superfund sites. SARA was enacted to amend the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), which established a program to clean up hazardous waste sites. One of the key provisions of SARA is that it emphasizes the need for permanent remedies at contaminated sites, ensuring that cleanup efforts effectively address the health risks and environmental hazards posed by hazardous substances.

This mandate for permanent cleanups reflects a proactive approach to preventing further contamination and protecting human health and the environment. SARA also introduced additional requirements for the EPA to involve the public in the cleanup process and to assess the effectiveness of the cleanups over time, but the core responsibility regarding superfund sites remains the establishment of thorough and lasting cleanup protocols.