Goals and Accomplishments for the RCRA Corrective Action Program

The objectives of the RCRA Corrective Action Program are to evaluate the nature and extent of the releases of hazardous substances from hazardous waste management facilities; to evaluate facility/site characteristics; and to identify, develop, and implement an appropriate corrective measure or measures to protect human health and the environment.

As progress is made towards the long-term goal of final cleanup at RCRA corrective action facilities, EPA is measuring intermediate successes of the program at the national scale. The ultimate, long-term success of the Corrective Action Program will be measured by the corrective action activities that are completed by facilities that are protective of human health and the environment.

2005 High Priority Corrective Action Baseline

In July 1999, the "2005 Corrective Action Baseline" was finalized. It consisted of a core list of 1,714 high priority facilities nationwide where early cleanup progress would be important. In Region 8, there were 55 high priority facilities.

2005 Corrective Action Goals

EPA established two near-term goals for the Corrective Action Program for those facilities on the 2005 high priority baseline. These goals were the Environmental Indicators (EIs). The goals had been a top priority for the EPA and States since 1999, and measure initial and essential environmental progress for ensuring the protection of human health and the environment impacted by hazardous waste sites. The goals were established under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA), an act that provides for the establishment of strategic planning and performance management in the Federal Government.

The EI goals stated that by 2005, EPA and the States would verify and document that
1. 95% of the baseline facilities would have current human exposures under control ("Human Health Environmental Indicator"), and
2. 70% of these facilities would have migration of contaminated groundwater under control ("Groundwater Environmental Indicator").

A human health environmental indicator is met when there are no unacceptable human exposures to contaminants under current land and water uses. A groundwater environmental indicator is met when there is no longer physical migration of the contaminated groundwater originating from releases at a facility.

2005 Region 8 Corrective Action Program Results

In 2005, Region 8 succeeded in meeting the 2005 Corrective Action Program goals. Fifty-two (52) of Region 8's 55 high priority facilities mitigated human health exposures and risks, meeting the 95% goal. Forty-seven (47) of Region 8's 55 high priority facilities have controlled the migration of contaminated groundwater, exceeding the 70% goal at 85%. These accomplishments mean that many of the facilities on the high priority baseline have already made good progress in their cleanup efforts by stabilizing problems through preventing or minimizing the further spread of contamination to protect human health and groundwater resources while long-term remedies are pursued.

2008 High Priority Corrective Action Baseline

In December 2004, the "2008 Corrective Action Baseline" was established. This baseline expanded the 2005 high priority baseline to a larger universe of facilities with 1,968 facilities nationwide. EPA Region 8's 2008 baseline includes the original 55 high priority baseline facilities plus 5 additional ones.

2008 Corrective Action Goals

The 2008 Corrective Action Program goals build upon the 2005 goals and successes by shifting the focus to final remedies. Two (2) new Corrective Action Program goals have been established for facilities on this baseline for EPA Region 8. By 2008:
1. 50% of these facilities should have final remedies selected for site-wide cleanup, and
2. 30% of these facilities should have completed the construction phase of implementing the site-wide remedies.
Remedies for a corrective action site can include technologies such as pump and treat systems to clean the groundwater and physical excavation to remove contaminated soils.

In addition to the new measures, progress in meeting the environmental indicators will be tracked for the 2008 high priority baseline facilities. Fact sheets on corrective action progress and environmental indicator status for the Region 8 2008 baseline facilities are available at the following link.

Looking Ahead, 2008

Region 8 and its States have devised a strategy consisting of interim objectives over the next three years to enable the achievement of the goals for the 2008 baseline facilities. The States of Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming are fully authorized by EPA Region 8 to implement the Corrective Action Program. State project managers will be working closely with facilities undergoing corrective action to ensure that the 2008 goals are met. Region 8 will be offering additional assistance as requested by its authorized states.

The 2020 Initiative

EPA's 2020 Initiative will expand the 2008 corrective action baseline to include all baseline and permitted RCRA facilities. This initiative will challenge these facilities to meet the goal of site-wide remedy construction by the year 2020. EPA is currently developing the 2020 facility list.

Essential Corrective Action Resources

Facilities that have had hazardous substance releases to the environment are encouraged to examine innovative technologies for site cleanup to attain these long-term goals. Identifying, developing, constructing, operating, maintaining, and monitoring the appropriate technology(ies) for preventing and cleaning up releases of hazardous substances from facilities requires consideration and execution of the remedy selection process. This ensures that remedies that are chosen are appropriate and feasible for a site, and will accomplish final cleanup goals and standards set by the implementing agency. These standards may be derived from existing State or Federal regulations.

For guidance, resources, and regulations governing the cleanup of hazardous wastes, please click on these resource and guidance buttons.

Authority and Contacts

The States of Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming are fully authorized by EPA Region 8 to implement the Corrective Action Program. For a list of State and Region 8 contacts for assistance and questions regarding corrective action, please click on the contact us button.