Regional Superfund Public Liaison

See also the Public Liaison Contacts at the bottom of the page.

"I can't get EPA to answer my questions about a Superfund site"
"I don't believe EPA has treated me fairly"
"EPA is not doing what is promised"
"EPA did not listen to me and understand my problems before making a Superfund decision"

If you have concerns like these about the Superfund program, you may want to call the Regional Superfund Public Liaison for help. The Regional Superfund Public Liaison will make sure you are able to discuss your concerns with EPA Superfund staff working on the project. Often, just talking to the "right person" will resolve the issue. If you have already talked with Superfund staff and are unhappy with the results or the treatment you received, then the Public Liaison may be able to work with you and the Superfund staff to reach a satisfactory resolution.

What is an Superfund Public Liaison?

A Superfund Public Liaison is a government official charged with investigating citizens' complaints and assisting in achieving a fair resolution. The Superfund Public Liaison responds to complaints from the public. The Regional Superfund Public Liaison is a high-level employee of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency who has the ability to independently look into citizens' concerns and facilitate the commiunication that can lead to a solution, respond to concerns about Superfund program activities, and help to resolve problems or issues.

What a Regional Superfund Public Liaison Can Do For You

The primary role of the Superfund Public Liaison is to assist citizens and the Superfund staff in reaching an acceptable resolution to an issue that cannot be resolved through the normal Superfund process. The Superfund Public Liaison will normally provide assistance by:

Helping citizens work through the Superfund decision-making process; and
Mediating discussions between citizens and Superfund staff to solve problems.

When you Call the Regional Superfund Public Liaison

When you contact the Superfund Regional Public Liaison, the Public Liaison will:

Answer your questions immediately or direct you to the "right person" in EPA to answer your questions;
Look into the issues you raise concerning decisions that EPA has made;
Arrange meetings and facilitate discussions between you and Superfund staff in an attempt to resolve your problems or concerns with EPA's decisions; and
Contact EPA senior management to review the problem if a solution cannot be reached between you and the Superfund staff.

The Public Liaison does not have authority to change decisions made by Superfund staff. The Public Liaison has direct access to top regional management officials to cut through "red tape" to look into problems and to make recommendations to decision-makers if informal means prove unsuccessful.

Can the Public Liaison force decisions by the Superfund staff?

The Public Liaison does not have authority to change decisions made by Superfund staff. However, the Ombudsman can work with you and EPA staff to discuss the situation and try to reach an acceptable solution.

Whom do I call, if I have a Superfund problem or issue?

You should first contact the Superfund Community Involvement Coordinator for that site. If this person is unable to help you, call or write your Regional Superfund Public Liaison.

What Is Superfund?

Superfund is the federal program that cleans up sites where hazardous materials threaten human health or the environment. Superfund sites include landfills, abandoned mines, industrial sites, or other places where hazardous materials were used or disposed. Sites can vary from a small metal plating shop to a 250-square-mile mining area.

The law governing the program is the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA). Under CERCLA, EPA will designate a hazardous waste site as a Superfund site and will manage the clean up of the site.

At Superfund sites, hazardous substances often contaminate soil, ground water, or nearby streams or lakes. Superfund sites include landfills, abandoned mines, or industrial sites where haaardous materials were used or disposed. These sites vary in size froma 1/4 acre metal plating shop to a 250 square mile mining area.

Also be sure to visit A Citizen's Guide to EPA's Superfund Program for more information about Superfund.

Superfund Public Liaison Contacts

EPA HEADQUARTERS

Victoria Van Roden (OECA)
vanroden.victoria@epa.gov
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (2272A)
Washington, DC 20460
(P) 202-564-4268
(F) 202-501-0269

Bruce Engelbert (OSWER)
engelbert.bruce@epa.gov
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW (5204G)
Washington, DC 20460
(P) 703-603-8711
(F) 703-603-9100

Superfund Information Hotline
800-424-9346

Name & Office	Region & Address	Phone & Fax
John Smaldone Innovative Tech Office of Site Remediation & Resoration smaldone.john@epa.gov	US EPA Region 1 1 Congress Street Boston, MA 02203	(P) 617-918-1207 (F) 617-918-1290
George H. Zachos Accelerated Cleanup Mgr Emergency & Remedial Response Division zachos.george@epa.gov	US EPA Region 2 2890 Woodbridge Ave Edison, NJ 08837	(P) 732-321-6621 (P) 888-283-7626 (F) 732-906-6182
Susan Janowiak janowiak.susan@epa.gov	US EPA Region 3 1650 Arch Street Philadelphia, PA 19103	(P) 215-814-3197
Lloyd Monty Bates Regional Superfund Public Liaison bates.monty@epa.gov	US EPA Region 4 61 Forsyth Street SW Atlanta, GA 30303 Region 4 Ombusman	(P) 404-562-8354
Doug Ballotti Superfund Enforcement Coordinator Superfund Division ballotti.douglas@epa.gov	US EPA Region 5 77 West Jackson Blvd. Chicago, IL 60604	(P) 312-886-4752 (P) 800-621-8431 (F) 312-886-4071
Arnold Ondarza ondarza.arnold@epa.gov	US EPA Region 6 1445 Ross Avenue Dallas, TX 75202	(P) 303-312-6777 (P) 800-533-3508 (F) 303-312-7025
Craig W. Smith, PE Superfund Division smith.craig@epa.gov	US EPA Region 7 726 Minnesota Ave Kansas City, KS 66101	(P) 913-551-7683 (P) 800-223-0425 (F) 913-551-7145
Sonya Pennock (Acting) Office of Communication & Public Involvement pennock.sonya@epa.gov	US EPA Region 8 999 18th Street Denver, CO 80202	(P) 303-312-6600 (P) 800-227-8917 ext. 6600 (F) 303-312-6961
Julie Anderson Office of Strategic Planning and Emergency Issues anderson.julie@epa.gov	US EPA Region 9 75 Hawthorne Street San Francisco, CA 94105	(P) 415-947-3785 (F) 415-947-3562
Mark Masarik masarik.mark@epa.gov	US EPA Region 10 1435 N. Orchard Street Boise, ID 83706	(P) 208-378-5761 (F) 208-378-5744

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