EPA adds pair of landfills to list of Superfund sites in need of cleanup

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released an updated administrator’s emphasis list of Superfund sites April 16. The list identifies sites that will benefit from targeted immediate and intense attention. The Casmalia Resources site in Casmalia, California; Delaware Sand & Gravel Landfill site in New Castle, Delaware; and the St. Regis Paper Company site in Cass Lake, Minnesota, were added to the list to spur action on cleanup and redevelopment efforts. Conversely, the updated emphasis list no longer includes the Anaconda Copper Mine in Butte, Nevada, and the San Jacinto River Waste Pits in Harris County, Texas, as cleanup activities progress at these two sites and completion of specific milestones and timelines have benefited from the EPA administrator’s influence.

“We are making tremendous progress expediting sites through the entire Superfund remediation process,” EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt says. “The updated emphasis list reflects our commitment to addressing Superfund sites as quickly and safely as possible.”

In elevating EPA’s focus on the Superfund program, Pruitt has been at the helm of efforts to streamline and improve the program while accelerating the cleanup and reuse of America’s most contaminated sites. Pruitt has visited both the Anaconda Copper Mine and San Jacinto River Waste Pits as part of his effort to ensure timely decisions for cleanup of the sites to protect the health and environment of surrounding communities.

The updated administrator’s emphasis list, like the initial emphasis list, identifies Superfund sites that will benefit from Pruitt’s direct engagement. The emphasis list is intended to be fluid, and sites will move on and off the list as appropriate. At times, there may be more or fewer sites based on where the administrator’s attention and focus is most needed. 

Background

The initial list—consisting of 21 sites across the country—was released on December 8, 2017 in direct response to the Superfund Task Force Recommendations. It is anticipated that this list will be revised quarterly. 

EPA remains dedicated to addressing risks at all Superfund sites, not just those on the emphasis list. The Task Force Recommendations are aimed at expediting cleanup at all Superfund sites, and Pruitt has set the expectation that there will be a renewed focus on accelerating work and progress at such sites across the country.

The task force has five overarching goals:

• Expediting cleanup and remediation;
• Reinvigorating cleanup and reuse efforts by potentially responsible parties;
• Encouraging private investment to facilitate cleanup and reuse;
• Promoting redevelopment and community revitalization; and
• Engaging with partners and stakeholders.

The task force will provide the public with regular updates as it makes progress on the administrator’s emphasis list and other task force activities

The updated administrator’s emphasis list can be found online.