Management of hazardous materials at the local community level

Increasing media visibility, public concern, and restrictive legislation over the effects of chemicals in use by society is creating a range of problems and liabilities that many local jurisdictions are currently unprepared to cope with. Communities around the nation are struggling to develop cost effective, sustainable internal systems to manage their responsibilities for hazardous chemicals which are used, stored, manufactured or transported within their areas of responsibilities. Within the past few years, federal and state legislation has mandated new local responsibilities for management of chemical hazards. The sheer volume of statutes, regulations, guidance and advice available from public and private sources on how to manage these new responsibilities and liabilities can be overwhelming.