Hazardous Waste Sites: State Cleanup Status and Its Implications for Federal Policy
RCED-89-164
Published: Aug 21, 1989. Publicly Released: Nov 10, 1989.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the status of state cleanups of hazardous waste sites not on the National Priorities List (NPL) and whether the cleanups met Superfund Program standards.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Protection Agency | In view of the difficult task faced by states seeking to clean up thousands of non-NPL sites, the Administrator, EPA, should reexamine the nature, form, and extent of EPA technical assistance to the states to determine how best to assist them in selecting cleanup levels and remedies at non-NPL sites. Given concerns raised within EPA about the need for improved technical assistance on NPL sites, this reexamination should be designed so that NPL case managers in EPA regions and at state-lead NPL sites also benefit. The Administrator should then devise and implement a strategy to increase the delivery of effective assistance to states and EPA regions. |
Closed – Implemented
EPA created a Technology Information Office and database for technology transfer. EPA has also held a series of forums with state officials to discuss substantive issues of EPA/state coordination (e.g., soil standards, training and technical assistance needs.)
|
| Environmental Protection Agency | To ensure consistently protective cleanups for sites so seriously contaminated that they could be listed on NPL, the Administrator, EPA, should require, in any deferral policy EPA adopts, that: (1) state cleanup of deferred NPL sites be consistent with the national contingency plan; (2) states' eligibility for deferrals be conditioned on their meeting specified standards, including standards for experience and resources; and (3) EPA has the right to monitor state cleanup performance on deferred NPL sites. |
Closed – Implemented
EPA is not going forward with the deferral policy at this time because of concerns raised. EPA plans to study the capabilities of states as outlined in the response to the first recommendation. EPA believes that CERCLA reauthorization may be a more appropriate forum for consideration of the deferral.
|
| Environmental Protection Agency | If a deferral policy is implemented, the Administrator, EPA, should periodically monitor state cleanups for compliance with the deferral requirements. |
Closed – Not Implemented
EPA is not going forward with the deferral policy at this time.
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Topics
Agency missionsContaminantsEnvironmental policiesstate relationsHazardous substancesPollution controlPollution monitoringRegulatory agenciesStandards evaluationState-administered programsWaste managementHazardous waste sites