Untangling the web of spill and release reporting

Regulations pertaining to spills or releases of a hazardous or potentially dangerous substance into the environment are found in seven different federal congressional acts and in state-specific legislation: the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (HMTA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Clean Air Act (CAA). To navigate the tangled web of bureaucracy, this article provides a basic guide for reporting spills and releases to the proper authorities.