What was the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA) an extension of?

The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, commonly referred to as SARA, was indeed an extension of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). SARA was enacted to amend CERCLA, which was originally enacted in 1980 to address the cleanup of hazardous waste sites.

The primary purpose of SARA was to enhance the power and authority of the federal government in the cleanup process and to ensure more community involvement in the decision-making process regarding hazardous waste sites. One significant change introduced by SARA was the requirement for stricter cleanup standards and an emphasis on permanent remedies to protect the public health and the environment. Additionally, SARA established the Community Right-to-Know provisions, which informed the public about hazardous substances in their communities.

Understanding the context of the other choices is also valuable. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) focuses on the management of solid and hazardous waste, while the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is concerned with workplace safety regulations. The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), while also related to community information regarding hazardous substances, is a separate piece of legislation that was actually incorporated into SARA.

In summary, the