Superfund: State Voluntary Programs Provide Incentives to Encourage Cleanups
RCED-97-66
Published: Apr 09, 1997. Publicly Released: May 09, 1997.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the voluntary cleanup programs that states have created to facilitate privately initiated cleanups, focusing on: (1) the voluntary cleanup programs' accomplishments; (2) these programs' organization, funding, and major characteristics; and (3) the effects of federal hazardous waste policies on voluntary cleanups and the types of federal assistance that could further support voluntary programs.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Protection Agency | The Administrator, EPA, should work with the states to more clearly define in the agency's final guidance the criteria that state voluntary cleanup programs should meet to obtain an agreement limiting EPA's involvement at sites, particularly in the areas of monitoring after cleanup, acceptable oversight practices, and public participation. EPA could consider as possible models the approaches that several state programs have taken to tailor the requirements for cleanups to the risks and conditions at individual sites. |
Closed – Implemented
EPA drafted guidance that met GAO's recommendations. After many discussions with various stakeholders, EPA concluded that there was no consensus on critical aspects of the guidance, and that instead, the flexibility offered in the framework provided EPA Regions on November 14, 1996, provides the appropriate level of guidance for future Superfund Memorandum of Agreement (SMOA) negotiations concerning State Voluntary Cleanup programs. EPA has used this prior framework to sign SMOAs with 11 states and will continue to negotiate state SMOAs according to this framework.
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Cooperative agreementsEnvironmental lawEnvironmental policiesstate relationsHazardous substancesLiability (legal)State programsVolunteer servicesWaste disposalHazardous waste sites