SB 891 Summary

• Adds comprehensive definitions for environmental cleanup terms including "facility," "hazardous substance," "remedial action," and "baseline environmental assessment" to clarify the Part 201 cleanup program.

• Establishes new section 20121 governing land use and resource use restrictions through restrictive covenants, conservation easements, institutional controls, and alternative instruments to limit exposure to contaminated properties.

• Modifies liability exemptions for property owners and operators who conduct baseline environmental assessments within 45 days of purchase or foreclosure and provide results to the department and subsequent purchasers within 6 months.

• Revises the no further action report process to allow approval within 150 days (180 days if public participation required) and creates a deemed approval provision if the department fails to respond within required timeframes.

• Expands cleanup criteria categories to include "limited residential" and "limited nonresidential" options and requires the department to evaluate and revise cleanup criteria by December 31, 2013, incorporating new research on fate, transport, and risk assessment.