Search

EPA Expands List of US Superfund Sites

Posted on 4/7/2016 by Roger Marks

Today, April 7, US EPA expanded the list of US Superfund sites by adding five contaminated hazardous waste and chemical sites to the National Priorities List (NPL). Required under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), the NPL is a list of sites in the United States affected by “uncontrolled hazardous substance releases…that are priorities for long-term remedial action and response.” [40 CFR 300.5]

Without further ado, the five NEW Superfund sites are:

  • A former zinc plant in Fairmont City, IL
  • A former dry cleaner in Atlantic, IA
  • A former gas plant in Norfolk, NE
  • A former pesticides manufacturing facility in Vineland, NJ
  • A groundwater plume in Roswell, NM
Today’s Final Rule in the Federal Register also proposes further expansion Superfund list. In addition to adding the five sites above to the NPL, EPA proposed eight additional sites for inclusion. This brings the total number of sites proposed for inclusion on the Superfund list nationally to fifty-five.

Superfund HAZWOPER site
 
The eight sites proposed for addition to the Superfund list in EPA’s April 7 Final Rule are:

  • Two former hard rock mining areas in Jackson, CA, and San Juan County, CO
  • A former cleaning products manufacturing site in Live Oak, TX
  • A former tire and heavy duty truck molding manufacturing site in Riverside, OH
  • The former site of various industrial operations along Wappinger Creek in Dutchess County, NY
  • Two contaminated groundwater areas in Indianapolis, IN, and Dorado, PR
  • A former glass and zinc manufacturing site in Clarksburg, WV
Read more about the new and proposed Superfund sites on EPA’s page “Current NPL Updates: New Proposed NPL Sites and New NPL Sites”.

How Does a Site Get on the Superfund List?

To be added to EPA’s NPL, a site must first be discovered as a hazard to human health or the environment, and reported to US EPA. Often, EPA discovers Superfund sites when the National Response Center (NRC) receives a report of hazardous substance release as required under 40 CFR 302. A site may also be reported by concerned US citizens.

Next, EPA conducts a preliminary assessment and site inspection of the potential cleanup site. This assessment and inspection can include taking samples of the air, water, and soil and investigating how people might be exposed to the chemicals present at the site.

If EPA’s preliminary assessment and inspection find reason to add the site to the NPL, EPA will propose doing so in the Federal Register. Lastly, provided that public comments do not change EPA’s mind about the contaminated site, the site is added to the NPL list for eventual cleanup.
For more on how Superfund sites are added to the NPL, read Understanding Superfund Discovery and Remediation.

8-Hour HAZWOPER Refresher Coming Soon!

Personnel who work at contaminated hazardous waste sites on EPA’s National Priorities List (NPL) must complete training on OSHA’s Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) Standard found at 29 CFR 1910.120.

Need refresher HAZWOPER training? The convenient, interactive 8-Hour OSHA HAZWOPER Refresher Online Course is coming soon to Lion.com!

Tags: CERCLA, EPA, HAZWOPER, osha, Superfund

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

If I need thorough training or updating, I always use Lion. Lion is always the best in both instruction and materials.

Bryce Parker

EHS Manager

This training broke down the regulations in an easy-to-understand manner and made them less overwhelming. I now feel I have the knowledge to make more informed decisions.

Amanda Oswald

Shipping Professional

I like Lion's workshops the best because they really dig into the information you need to have when you leave the workshop.

Tom Bush, Jr.

EHS Manager

The instructor was excellent. They knew all of the material without having to read from a notepad or computer.

Gary Hartzell

Warehouse Supervisor

Much better than my previous class with another company. The Lion instructor made sense, kept me awake and made me laugh!

Marti Severs

Enterprise Safety Manager

The instructor was very knowledgeable and provided pertinent information above and beyond the questions that were asked.

Johnny Barton

Logistics Coordinator

I tried other environmental training providers, but they were all sub-standard compared to Lion. I will not stray from Lion again!

Sara Sills

Environmental Specialist

Best instructor ever! I was going to take my DOT training w/a different provider, but based on this presentation, I will also be doing my DOT training w/Lion!

Donna Moot

Hazardous Waste Professional

I used the IT support number available and my issue was resolved within a few minutes. I don't see anything that could have made it better.

Danny Province

EHS Professional

Course instructor was better prepared and presented better than other trainers. Course manual and references were easier to use as well.

Marty Brownfield

Hazardous Waste Professional

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Some limited quantity reliefs are reserved for specific modes of transport. Use this guide to identify which reliefs you can capitalize on, and which do not apply to your operations.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.