Amendment to CERCLA Proposed by Federal Legislators

Several federal legislators recently proposed an amendment to the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) to exclude manure from the definition of "hazardous substance" and "pollutant or contaminant" for purposes of CERCLA. H. R. 2997 defines "manure" to mean: (1) digestive emissions, feces, urine, urea and other excrement from livestock; (2) any associated bedding, compost, raw materials or other materials commingled with such excrement from livestock; (3) any process water associated with such items; and (4) any byproducts, constituents, or substances contained in, or originating from, such items or any emissions relating to such items. On September 26, 2011, the bill was referred to the House Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy. The full text of the bill is available here. A related bill, S. 1729 was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on October 18, 2011. Additional information on the Senate bill can be viewed here.