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

Abstract

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 statesmore » 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.« less

Authors:
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOD; Department of Defense, Washington, DC (USA)
OSTI Identifier:
6123987
Report Number(s):
CONF-910477-1
ON: DE91009123
DOE Contract Number:  
AC05-84OR21400
Resource Type:
Conference
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
Subject:
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

Citation Formats

Feldman, D L. SARA Title III and community hazards planning: Lessons for the US Army's Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program. United States: N. p., 1991. Web.
Feldman, D L. SARA Title III and community hazards planning: Lessons for the US Army's Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program. United States.
Feldman, D L. 1991. "SARA Title III and community hazards planning: Lessons for the US Army's Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program". United States.
@article{osti_6123987,
title = {SARA Title III and community hazards planning: Lessons for the US Army's Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program},
author = {Feldman, D L},
abstractNote = {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.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6123987}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1991},
month = {Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1991}
}

Conference:
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