Emergency Planning & Community Right-to-Know Act

Congress passed a law in November of 1986 designed to help America’s communities deal safely and efficiently with the many dangerous substances that are used throughout our society.

The law is the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-know Act (EPCRA).

The law was passed to give confidence and support emergency planning for responding to chemical accidents and to provide local governments and the public with information about possible chemical hazards in their communities. The law establishes an ongoing forum at the local level for discussion and a focus for action.

Local Emergency Planning Committee Purpose

Local Emergency Planning Committees around the country have joined forces to:

• Prepare reports on annual releases of toxic chemicals into the air, water, and water
• Provide citizens and local governments with information about hazardous chemicals and accidental releases of chemicals in their communities
• Set up procedures to alert and, if necessary, evacuate the public in case of emergency
• Write emergency plans to protect the public from chemical accidents

For More Information

Contact the Department of Emergency Preparedness at 985-369-7386 for more information regarding reports, procedures, and emergency plans.