LEPC and EPCRA

What is a Local Emergency Planning Committee?

As a result of a chemical accident in India in the 1980s, the Superfund Amendment Reauthorization Act (SARA) or, Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA), was passed establishing Local Emergency Planning Committees. The Sauk County LEPC is made up of representatives from: state and local elected officials, emergency management, law enforcement, fire fighting, first aid/EMS, health/hospital, transportation, environment, media, community groups and owners/operators subject to requirements of EPCRA.

Emergency Planning and Community Right To Know Act (EPCRA)

The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) is Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA) and is often referred to as SARA Title III. EPCRA was the United States congressional response to serious chemical incidents that occurred in Bhopal, India and Institute, West Virginia in the two years prior to its enactment. The incident in Bhopal resulted in 2,000 immediate fatalities. While the accident in West Virginia caused no fatalities, the circumstances were similar and aroused concern. 

EPCRA was designed to provide all levels of government and the public with information required to plan for a chemical incident. The law was meant as a starting point for an on going dialogue between community representatives, emergency response personnel, and industry. EPCRA requires each state to establish a state emergency response commission (SERC), to designate local emergency planning districts, and to appoint a local emergency planning committee (LEPC) for each district. Industries are required to provide the government with information about their activities with hazardous and toxic chemicals. The SERC and the LEPCs use the information in their emergency planning activities and make it available to the public.

Sauk County Local Emergency Planning Commitee

Chemicals have a large presence in our community and are utilized to manufacture many products we depend on. Many chemicals can be dangerous to the environment, life threatening, and pose a security threat, if not stored, secured and  handled properly. Your Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), operated through the Sauk County Emergency Management Office, maintains oversight on facilities operating within the county boundaries, that have chemicals on hand identified as extremely hazardous substances and are present in reportable quantities.  These facilities must develop off-site plans to assist local police, fire and EMS when responding to calls at these facilities. LEPC's play a critical role in insuring these plans exist, are accurate and up to date. LEPC's work to promote community awareness of the EPCRA program and it's functions.

The Sauk County LEPC is required to meet annually. Meetings are held in the EMBS meeting room, first floor Courthouse Annex, Room 128, 510 Broadway, Baraboo. These are open to the public. We welcome your attendance. Contact us with questions.