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Fulfilling the Promise of Earth Day (Continued)
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New threats posed by toxic waste sites In 1996, the State of New Jersey responded to a discharge of an unknown liquid in a housing development. Subsequent investigations revealed elevated levels of creosote seeping into the basements of homes. New Jersey and EPA began an investigation of the site, which found that the contamination was extensive. In 1998, responsibility of the site was transferred from the State to EPA. EPA conducted extensive soil sampling and found that the levels of carcinogenic materials were at unacceptable levels for at least 19 homes. EPA initiated a Removal Action to reduce the threat of contamination for these 19 families by providing temporary covers for their homes. In 1999, the Federal Creosote site was added to the NPL. EPA's cleanup requires the permanent relocation of residents from an estimated 10-19 properties. The selected remedy also includes the excavation of contaminated soils for thermal treatment and disposal. Twenty years after the passage of CERCLA, the Federal Creosote site demonstrates that the threats first given wide publicity by Love Canal can continue to the present day. The big difference is that now there is a strong Superfund program to address these threats before they become major dangers. |
FACING NEW CHALLENGES
Wildlife habitats. Transportation centers and shopping malls. These are
the just some of the successes of Superfund.
As Superfund enters its third decade, EPA faces four central challenges:
- The Agency will continue the cleanup of NPL sites, as well as address immediate contamination problems through Removal Actions across the country;
- EPA will continue to ensure that cleanup remedies remain protective of human health and the environment for years to come;
- As new sites are identified, EPA will share responsibility with States, Tribes, and other stakeholders to work with communities and PRPs to get these sites cleaned up efficiently; and
- The Agency will continue to serve as a catalyst to promote redevelopment at both brownfields and former Superfund sites.
Because of Superfund, sites that were once dangerous have been made safe. Land that was once desolate has been restored to productive use for communities across America. And new toxic waste sites are prevented from occurring in the first place by the presence of Superfund.
This is Superfund on its 20th anniversary. Now entering its third decade, Superfund will continue its evolution to meet the new challenges of a clean and safe environment -- the promise of Earth Day.
