What does the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) enhance?

The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) enhances clean-up standards for contaminated sites, thereby improving the process of remediation and ensuring that hazardous waste sites are addressed more effectively. SARA was enacted to amend the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), which established the Superfund program aimed at cleaning up abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste sites.

One of the key enhancements introduced by SARA is the requirement for more stringent cleanup standards to protect human health and the environment. This is particularly focused on providing clearer guidelines for the restoration of contaminated sites to a state that is safe for both environmental and public health. SARA also involves community involvement in the cleanup process, ensuring that information is available to local residents and stakeholders.

This focus on clean-up standards directly aligns with the primary mission of SARA, distinguishing it from other options that discuss tax benefits, building regulations, or zoning laws, which do not pertain to the core objectives of SARA in raising environmental protection measures.