SARA Title III and community hazards planning: Lessons for the US Army's Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program

Conference · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:6123987

Feldman, D L

This paper provides an overview and analysis of the impact of Title 3 of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA Title 3) on improving community participation and risk communication and facilitating decisions leading to enhanced emergency preparedness for timely response to accidental hazardous chemical releases. The US Army's Chemical Stockpile Disposal Program (CSDP) and attendant Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP) are case studies. In addition to reviewing progress in SARA Title 3 implementation in the 10 states directly affected by these programs, interviews were conducted with regional Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) representatives responsible for overseeing staffing and fiscal decisions that enable this law to take effect. These interviews also permit derivation of a broad federal perspective on Title 3's success (or lack thereof) in heightening public awareness of chemical hazards and improving local political competence in addressing chemical hazards warning, notification, communication, and procurement and equipment acquisition issues. We conclude that SARA Title 3 has significantly transformed the process of chemical and other technological hazards management by forcing greater cooperation between federal agencies (particularly EPA, FEMA, and, in some instances, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, or OSHA) and states in planning and conducting emergency exercises. The process of emergency planning is becoming increasingly decentralized. However, we also conclude that Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) and State Emergency Response Commissions (SERCs)--institutions established under Title 3--are faced with several challenges in order to ensure viable risk communication and achievement of enhanced preparedness in local communities nationwide. 36 refs., 3 tabs.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOD; Department of Defense, Washington, DC (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 6123987
• Report Number(s): CONF-910477-1; ON: DE91009123
• Resource Relation: Conference: 4. annual hazardous materials management central conference and exhibition, Rosemont, IL (USA), 3-5 Apr 1991
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
EMERGENCY PLANS
COMMUNICATIONS
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS ACT
IMPLEMENTATION
CHEMICAL SPILLS
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SPILLS
INTERAGENCY COOPERATION
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT
PUBLIC HEALTH
PUBLIC INFORMATION
PUBLIC OFFICIALS
PUBLIC RELATIONS
STATE GOVERNMENT
SUPERFUND
US DOD
US EPA
US FEMA
US OSHA
WASTE MANAGEMENT
COOPERATION
INFORMATION
LAWS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
POLLUTION LAWS
US DOL
US ORGANIZATIONS
290300* - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment
Health
& Safety