Masaaki Hosomi

Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
(2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo 184 Japan)

Abstract

This paper presents an overview and summary of CERCLA, as amended by SARA, and the Superfund program that has been established by the EPA to implement its provisions. The Superfund Law focuses on how to quickly provide remedies for environmental problems that are the result of past practices, and responds to environmental emergencies caused by the release of hazardous materials rather than the polluter pay principle. The National Contingency Plan provides process the implementation of the Superfund removal and remedial programs. Many problems such as huge cost of remedial response and clean-up standards have been pointed out, i.e., the question that is popularly phrased, "How clean is clean?" However, the Superfund program, which has been carried out by federal and state governments and the council by disclosure of information and citizen's participation, should be a very useful reference in enforcing activities on remedial response to contaminated soil and groundwater in Japan.

Key words: the United States of America, superfund law, remedial response, national contingency plan, hazrd ranking system