Local Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Information

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERLA) was enacted by Congress in 1980.  In 1986, in response to concerns over recent hazardous materials and chemical release incidents, a reauthorization and expansion was signed into law.  This expansion is known as the Superfund Amendment and Reauthorization Act (SARA).  Title III of SARA is known as the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA).

SARA and, more specifically, EPCRA mandate certain programs be enacted by federal, state, and local governments.  One of the local requirements is that Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) be created.  In Michigan, each County is an established LEPC district.  Additional LEPC districts run independently by larger cities in Michigan, bringing the total number of Michigan LEPCs to 89.

SARA Title III has four major components (hover of each bullet point to see more information on that section:

• Emergency Planning (Section 302 & 303) requires that facilities have an emergency response plan in place to address chemical hazards in the workplace.
• Emergency Release Notification (Section 304) requires facilities to make certain notifications in the event of a toxic chemical release or spill.
• Hazardous Chemical Inventory (Section 311 & 312) requires facilities to report the on-site inventory of certain hazardous materials or toxic chemicals (Tier II Reporting).  These reports are submitted to local emergency officials and fire departments and are used in developing emergency response plans.
• Toxic Chemical Release Inventory (Section 313) requires facilities to report releases of certain toxic chemicals as determined by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Facilities have various requirements under SARA Title III based on the types and quantities of hazardous materials or toxic chemicals that they store on site.

Links for additional information on CERLA, SARA, and EPRCA:

• Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
• Superfund Amendment and Reauthorization Act (SARA)
• Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)