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

The acronym SARA stands for the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act. This legislation, enacted in 1986, is an important piece of environmental law that reauthorized and modified the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), commonly known as the Superfund Act. SARA was designed to enhance the federal government's ability to respond to hazardous substance releases and to ensure the cleanup of sites contaminated with hazardous waste.

One of the key features of SARA is that it emphasizes the importance of community involvement in the cleanup process, requiring public participation in decision-making. It also introduced new enforcement provisions and established the need for state involvement in the cleanup of hazardous waste sites. The act aimed to improve the effectiveness of cleanup processes and mandated regular review of the remedy selected for site cleanups.

In particular, SARA brought significant changes in regulations related to hazardous waste management, making it essential for professionals in environmental engineering and related fields to be familiar with its implications and requirements. This background and the focus on community safety and environmental protection underscore why the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act is the correct interpretation of the acronym SARA.