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Local Emergency Planning Committee Introduction

The passage of the SARA Title III: Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986 mandates that facilities which produce, utilize and/or store certain hazardous materials must report these chemicals to State environmental authorities. This Act also intensified local governmental authorities’ and the community’s concern and interest about these facilities. The Act encourages these facilities to initiate community awareness about the chemicals they use and to work with local governments, emergency response organizations, and neighborhood groups in developing emergency plans in the event of a hazardous materials incident at these facilities. This was the primary purpose to the Chatham County LEPC.

In the past decade, the LEPC has expanded its scope to include planning for and responding to all emergencies that the community could be faced with, including, natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and floods, acts of terrorism and infectious disease pandemics.

Local Emergency Planning Committee Purpose

The LEPC shall exist to promote and facilitate the safety of all persons in Chatham County with respect to the potential exposure and or threat of major emergencies and disasters both natural and man-made. The functions and duties of the LEPC are those authorized by the Chatham County Board of Commissioners, in accordance with, but not necessarily limited to the provisions of Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986.

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