SMITH PROPOSES RAB-LIKE CRO'S

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@igc.org>]

SUPERFUND BILL CALLS FOR RAB-LIKE CRO'S

On September 29, Senator Robert Smith (R-New Hampshire), chair of the 
Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Control, and Risk Assessment, 
introduced his proposal for Superfund Reauthorization. All such 
proposals are extremely controversial, and there is no guarantee that 
any legislation will be enacted this year. 

Nevertheless, Smith's approach to Community Participation is testimony 
to the perceived success of Restoration Advisory Boards (RABs) and 
Site-Specific Advisory Boards at Defense and Energy Department 
facilities. Smith proposes the formation, at no-federal contamination 
sites, of Community Response Organizations (CROs), based upon criteria 
almost identical to those developed by the Federal Facilities 
Environmental Restoration Dialogue Committee. These advisory groups, 
like the Federal cleanup advisory boards, would have access to 
information and grants for technical assistance.

Smith's proposal does not appear to include the state-wide support 
organizations for public participation contained in various versions of 
last year's Superfund bills, so there is plenty of room for 
improvement. Nevertheless, with co-sponsorship from other leading 
Republican Senators, it suggests again that there is broad bi-partisan 
support for direct community involvement in the oversight of 
environmental programs.