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![[Print]](/peth04/20041119025018im_/http://yosemite.epa.gov/oswer/ceppoweb.nsf/printpage.gif)
EPA's Role and Authority in Counter Terrorism
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EPA CT Mission and Offices
EPA is preparing for and will respond to terrorist threats from weapons of mass
destruction (WMD). WMDs are "weapons or devices that are intended, or have the
capability, to cause death or serious bodily injury to a significant number of
people, through the release, dissemination, or impact of toxic poisonous
chemicals; disease organisms; or radiation or radioactivity." (For links to key laws
and their summaries, go to Law Summaries.) Because of its inherent role in
protecting human health and the environment from possible harmful effects of
certain chemical, biological, and nuclear materials, EPA is actively involved in
counter-terrorism planning and response efforts.
EPA is supporting the Federal counter-terrorism program by:
1.) helping State and local responders to plan for emergencies;
2.) coordinating with key Federal Partners;
3.) training first responders; and
4.) providing resources in the event of a terrorist incident.
Several offices within the Agency are involved in these efforts:
Please see the Counter-Terrorism Fact Sheet (PDF/238 KB) (July 1998) for more details.
Laws and Regulations Under existing authorities, such as the National Oil and Hazardous Substances
Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP), CERCLA and Clean Water Act, as amended,
EPA is required to prepare for and respond to any release or threat of release of
oil, hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants into the environment that
may present an imminent and substantial threat to public health or welfare and the
environment. An introductory overview as well as additional details of EPCRA and
CERCLA are available at Enabling Legislation. Information about the NCP is
located at NCP Overview.
Presidential Decision Directives (PDDs)
Several Presidential Decision Directives mandate EPA to participate in a federal response program specifically aimed at preparing for and responding to terrorist incidents.
- PDD/NSC #39
Counterterrorism Policy, June 1995.
- PDD/NSC #62
Protection Against Unconventional Threats to the Homeland and Americans Overseas, May 1998.
- PDD/NSC #63
Critical Infrastructure Protection, May, 1998.
In addition, EPA participates in the Domestic Preparedness Program, established under the Defense Against Weapons of Mass Destruction Act (Title XIV of Public Law 104-201), known as the Nunn-Lugar-Domenici Act.
Additional basic authorities and key regulatory and guidance documents will be
included as soon as they are available in electronic format. Some existing useful
links are as follows:
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