Evaluating the time and cost savings of presumptive CERCLA remedies
During the last 15 years, since passage of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), hundreds of hazardous waste sites across the country have been identified and listed on the National Priority List (NPL). Millions of dollars have been spent characterizing the nature and extent of contamination and designing and implementing remedial measures at these sites. Despite these efforts and expenditures, there has been public outcry that not enough sites have been cleaned up. As a result, EPA has been studying and implementing reforms to speed up and improve the efficiency of the Superfund process. Specifically, the Superfund Accelerated Cleanup Model (SACM) has evolved, which includes the concept of the presumptive remedy. The application of presumptive remedies, which consist of preferred remediation technologies for common categories of sites, have the potential to significantly expedite the decision-making process at Superfund sites. At the same time, these presumptive remedies must be applied with full consideration of site-specific characteristics. This will ensure that the correct decisions are made, and avert problems that could prolong cleanup and increase costs in the future. This paper reviews the process through which a presumptive remedy is implemented, identifies issues to consider when evaluating whether a presumptive remedy may be appropriate for a specific site, and assesses the potential benefits and risks of implementing a presumptive remedy. Practical experience gained by the authors on two Region 1 Superfund Sites where the presumptive remedy approach was applied is also presented.
- OSTI ID:
- 205355
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-951139--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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