What does the acronym "SARA" stand for in relation to hazardous waste?

The acronym "SARA" stands for the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act. This piece of legislation was enacted in 1986 as an amendment to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), commonly referred to as the Superfund law. SARA was established to improve the program established by CERCLA, particularly in enhancing the cleanup process of hazardous waste sites.

One of the key features of SARA is its focus on ensuring community involvement in the cleanup processes, promoting the use of more stringent cleanup standards, and emphasizing the need for more effective and timely remediation of hazardous waste releases. It also introduced new regulatory measures to protect public health and the environment from hazardous substances.

Understanding the significance of SARA is crucial, as it helps define the responsibilities and liabilities of parties involved in the management and remediation of hazardous waste, ensuring accountability and safety for communities impacted by such contaminants.