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Hazardous Waste: Federal Agency Hazardous Waste Disposal at Kettleman Hills, California

RCED-86-50 Published: Dec 26, 1985. Publicly Released: Jan 27, 1986.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed whether federal agencies disposed of hazardous wastes at a firm's facility in Kettleman Hills, California after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cited the facility for significant violations of environmental regulations.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Environmental Protection Agency The Administrator, EPA, should expand the EPA off-site policy for the disposal of Superfund cleanup waste to also include EPA hazardous waste being disposed of under RCRA.
Closed – Implemented
EPA complied with the recommendation and it will be closed out on the next followup cycle.
Environmental Protection Agency The Administrator, EPA, should encourage other federal agencies to adopt the off-site policy for the disposal of RCRA-regulated hazardous waste in addition to encouraging them to adopt the policy for the disposal of cleanup waste.
Closed – Implemented
EPA has written to all major federal agencies encouraging adoption of this recommendation and hosted a meeting of federal representatives on March 17, 1986, to discuss this recommendation. An accomplishment report will be considered when EPA acts on another recommendation.
Environmental Protection Agency If the Administrator determines that statutory authority is needed or desirable to ensure adoption and implementation of the policy throughout the federal sector or to ensure the successful enforcement of the policy, the Administrator, EPA, should develop and submit to Congress the appropriate legislative language to achieve these objectives.
Closed – Not Implemented
EPA plans to take, or has taken, action on the other recommendations, making this recommendation unnecessary.

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Topics

Natural Resources and Environment
Environmental monitoringEnvironmental policiesHazardous substancesIndustrial wastesNoncomplianceWaste disposalWaste managementHazardous waste disposalHazardous wastesFederal agencies