Responsibility for Site Contamination

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Abstract

This chapter examines the importance of including a strong liability framework in any national legislation for site contamination. It considers the elements commonly used in national liability frameworks, identifying the advantages and disadvantages of each. The discussion refers to concepts such as strict liability, polluter pays, joint and several liability and proportionate liability. The merits of the traditional ‘command and control’ approach and the more recent ‘voluntary cleanup’ approach are compared. The problem of funding the remediation of ‘orphan’ sites is also considered.

Keywords

United States Environmental Protection Agency Strict Liability Liability Regime Responsible Party Cleanup Cost 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Other Legal Materials

  1. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act 1980, 42 U.S.C. 9601 (United States)Google Scholar
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  3. Directive on Environmental Liability with regard to the Prevention and Remedying of Environmental Damage [2004] 2004/35/CE, O.J. L. 143/56-75 (European Union)Google Scholar
  4. Environment Protection (Site Contamination) Amendment Act 2007 (South Australia)Google Scholar
  5. Environmental Protection Act 1990 c. 43 (United Kingdom)Google Scholar
  6. Oil and Gas Commission Levy and Orphan Site Reclamation Fund Tax Regulation 1998, B.C. Reg. 363/98 (British Columbia)Google Scholar
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  9. Soil Protection Act 1998 (Germany)Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.TanundaAustralia

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