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Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), 1976

Description and Intent

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) of 1976 requires federal agencies to assess the impact that debris, debris removal, hazardous wastes, and hazardous waste clean-up projects will have on air and water quality and take actions to prevent degradation. RCRA gives EPA the authority to control hazardous waste from the "cradle-to-grave" to facilities that generate hazardous materials and sets forth a framework for the management of non-hazardous waste (42 USC, 6901). Besides generation, this includes transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste. RCRA focuses only on active and future facilities.

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Summary of Requirements

Although debris removal is statutorily exempted from NEPA, it is still subject to other laws, such as the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), which requires safe disposal of waste materials, promotes the recycling of waste materials, and encourages cooperation with local agencies. FEMA must monitor disaster debris removal to ensure it is in compliance with RCRA, ensure that waste materials are being recycled where appropriate, and encourage cooperation with local agencies.

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Useful Links

Useful Information to Assit in FEMA's EHP Review
Text of Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), 1976
EPA Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response

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Last Modified: Wednesday, 11-Aug-2010 14:15:19 EDT