EPA Superfund Program 101

Transcription

1 EPA Superfund Program 101 Superfund 101 Agenda What is Superfund? Two types of Superfund program ogam actions Removal Remedial The Superfund process Who pays? Community Involvement Additional contact information 2 1

2 What is Superfund? Goals of Superfund: Protect human health and the environment by cleaning up abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous substance sites Involve communities in the cleanup process Make responsible parties pay for the cleanups Return previously polluted land to productive use 3 What is Superfund? Superfund Law: The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), informally called Superfund, was established by Congress in 1980 and amended in Created in response to growing concerns over the health and environmental risks posed by hazardous waste sites. Allowed EPA to respond to releases or threatened releases of abandoned hazardous substances. Provided for liability of persons responsible for releases of hazardous substances at these sites. 4 2

3 What is Superfund? Superfund Law (cont d.): Administered by EPA in cooperation with state and tribal governments. Allows EPA to clean up hazardous waste sites and force responsible parties to either perform cleanups or reimburse the government for cleanups led by EPA. 5 Superfund Program Actions Two types of Superfund actions under the NCP: Removal Actions Shorter term responses actions to address more immediate threats Remedial Actions National Priority List (NPL) sites 6 3

4 The Superfund Process How does a site become listed on the NPL? EPA may learn about a site from other federal agencies, state, local government, tribes or private citizens. EPA does a site assessment and determines whether the cleanup will require a short term action or long term action. EPA evaluates sites using EPA's Hazard Ranking System (HRS) to score sites. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) of the U.S. Public Health Service issues a health advisory EPA determines the site poses a significant threat to public health. Public comments on potential listing 7 The Superfund Process Remedial Investigation (RI) Once a site becomes listed, an RI is done to characterize the nature and extent of contamination and source(s). Nature and extent involves: Baseline Risk Assessment Field Sampling and Analysis 8 4

5 The Superfund Process Feasibility Study (FS) Based on information found in the RI, an FS is done which identifies and evaluates options for reducing site risks. Essentially how to break the exposure pathway. The options identified are then evaluated against nine criteria. 9 The Superfund Process EPA then publishes a proposed plan identifying the alternatives and what the agencies preferred alternative for reducing site risks. EPA takes comments on the proposed plan. EPA evaluates the comments received and issues a Record of Decision (ROD) identifying the clean up approach the agency plans to implement. 10 5

6 The Superfund Process Remedial Design (RD) the phase in Superfund site cleanup where the technical specifications for cleanup remedies and technologies are designed. Future reuse of the site is also considered at this point. Remedial Action (RA) follows the remedial design phase and involves the actual construction or implementation phase of Superfund site cleanup. 11 The Superfund Process Construction completion When all elements of remedy are constructed and in operation. Operations & maintenance (O&M) of remedial actions Five-year reviews a review of the remedial actions if waste is left in place Deletion from the NPL when sites no longer pose a threat to human health and the environment 12 6

7 The Superfund Process 13 Who pays? The parties or businesses responsible for the contamination who generated the hazardous substance who disposed of it who made it worse who owned the property at the time of disposal or assumed the liability If there are no viable PRPs, study and cleanup are paid for by Superfund with contribution from the states 14 7

8 Who pays? Budget realities: Budget shortfalls may impact timeliness of clean ups Prioritization process Superfund cleanups must compete for funding from the general fund with Dept. of Defense, Homeland Security, Dept. of Education, etc 15 Community Involvement Individuals potentially affected by a site have a voice in the cleanup process EPA s regional staff helps communities get involved by providing: Educational materials Outreach activities Site information: fact sheets, presentations, Web pages Training Technical assistance Public meetings, CAG meetings, open houses Opportunities for public comment 16 8

9 Community Involvement Keep you informed of the cleanup process Provide opportunities for you to comment and provide input Resolve community issues related to the site 17 Community Involvement Community Involvement Programs Community Advisory Groups (CAGs) Technical Assistance Grants (TAGs) Technical Outreach Services for Communities (TOSC) Superfund Jobs Training Initiative (SuperJTI) Translation and information into local l languages and dialects Opportunities to provide input into the process 18 9

10 Community Involvement Ways to get involved: Attend public meetings and hearings Participate in interviews and open houses Join/form a CAG Visit local information repository sites and web pages Contact t your local l Community Involvement Coordinator and/or Site Manager 19 Additional Information Superfund Hotline: TDD: EPA Region 8: www2.epa.gov/aboutepa/eparegion-8-mountains-and-plains Superfund: Community Involvement: p Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry: