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  2. Superfund
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  4. Remedy Decisions

Key Principles of Superfund Remedy Selection

  • Remedy Overview and Key Principles

The documents identified below provide general guidance on the primary considerations of remedy selection which are universally applicable at Superfund sites. ​

  • Rules of Thumb for Superfund Remedy Selection (PDF)(27 pp, 154 K)
    EPA 540/R/97-013, OSWER 9355.0-69, NTIS: PB97-963301INX, August 1997

Describes key principles, expectations, and best practices (based on program experience) that should be considered during the Superfund remedy selection process. Three major policy areas are covered: human health risk; remedial alternatives; and ground water.

  • A Guide to Selecting Superfund Remedial Actions (PDF)(6 pp, 643 K)
    OSWER 9355.0-27FS, NTIS: PB90-273863INX, April 1990

Summarizes the statutory requirements of CERCLA remedy selection as specified in the revised NCP of 1990 and provides the corresponding EPA guidelines for analyzing and selecting Superfund remedies.

  • A Guide to Principal Threat and Low Level Threat Wastes (PDF)(4 pp, 237 K)
    OSWER 9380.3-06FS, NTIS: PB92-963345INZ, November 1991

Explains considerations of categorizing waste for which treatment or containment will generally be suitable. Provides definitions, examples, and ROD documentation requirements for waste that constitutes a principal or low level threat.

  • The Role of Cost in the Superfund Remedy Selection Process (PDF)(8 pp, 196 K)
    EPA 540-F-96-018, OSWER 9200.3-23FS, NTIS: PB96-963245, September 1996

Summarizes the current role of cost in the Superfund program as established by CERCLA, the NCP, and current guidance.

  • Role of the Baseline Risk Assessment in Superfund Remedy Selection Decisions (PDF)(10 pp, 126 K)
    OSWER 9355.0-30, April 1991

Provides guidance on how to use the baseline risk assessment to make risk management decisions such as determining whether remedial action under CERCLA Sections 104 or 106 is necessary. Clarifies the use of the baseline risk assessment in selecting appropriate remedies under CERCLA Section 121, promotes consistency in preparing site-specific risk assessments, and helps ensure that appropriate documentation from the baseline risk assessment is included in Superfund remedy selection documents.

  • Land Use in the CERCLA Remedy Selection Process (PDF)(11 pp, 937 K)
    OSWER 9355.7-04, May 1995

Presents additional information for considering land use in making remedy selection decisions under CERCLA at NPL sites. 

  • Reuse Assessments: A Tool to Implement the Superfund Land Use Directive (PDF)(24 pp, 83 K)
    OSWER 9355.7-06P, June 2001

Reaffirms the directive "Land Use in the CERCLA Remedy Selection Process" (OSWER 9355.7-04) and extends its application to non-time-critical removal actions.   The "Reuse Assessment" in Appendix I is introduced as a support tool during the land use assessment process.

  • Selecting a Combined Response Action Approach for Noncontiguous CERCLA Facilities to Expedite Cleanups (PDF)(6 pp, 102 K)
    OSWER 9355.3-14FS, April 1992

Section 104(d)(4) of CERCLA allows EPA to treat noncontiguous facilities as one site for the purpose of taking actions when the facilities are related geographically, or on the basis of the threat to human health or the environment. This fact sheet provides a series of questions and answers designed to explain the factors, benefits, and limitations associated with taking a "combined" response action approach.

  • Coordination between RCRA Corrective Action and Closure and CERCLA Site Activities (PDF)(9 pp, 553 K)
    September 1996
Describes approaches for overcoming the three areas that often pose coordination difficulties at contaminated sites: acceptance of decisions made by other remedial programs, deferral of activities and coordination among RCRA, and CERCLA and state/tribal cleanup programs.
 
  • Focus Areas for Headquarters Support for Regional Decision-Making (PDF)(24 pp, 1.3 MB)
    OSWER 9200.1-17, May 1996

Identifies selected issue areas that represent the current focus of OSRTI's national Regional coordination effort. A discussion of presumptive remedies is included as one of the focus areas.

  • CERCLA/Superfund Orientation Manual (PDF)(177 pp, 1.3 MB)
    EPA 542/R-92/005, NTIS: PB93-193852INZ, October 1992

Serves as a guide to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), and assists EPA and state personnel involved with hazardous waste remediation and emergency response. It provides a basic overview of the Superfund process with an emphasis in Superfund regulations and policies.

  • Streamlining Federal Facility Cleanup
    OSWER 9272.0-12, NTIS: PB97-963310, September 1998

Summarizes findings from the report entitled "Streamlining Initiatives: Impact of Federal Facilities Cleanup Process". These initiatives demonstrate cost, timesaving, and quality improvements and result in new, more flexible Superfund cleanups under the current regulatory and statutory frameworks.

  • 2005 RCRA CERCLA Coordination memo (PDF)
    OSWER 9272.0-22, December 2005
Reemphasizes EPA's Policy regarding coordination of Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) site cleanup activities as federal facilities, and encourages early and continued coordination between the facilities and the regulatory agencies including authorized states. 
 
  • Fitting the Pieces Together: The Role of EPA Offices in Federal Facilities Cleanup and Reuse (PDF)
    EPA 505-F9-7001, June 1997

Details the role and purpose of the various EPA offices that are often involved in cleanup of contaminated federal facility sites.

  • Consideration of Greener Cleanup Activities in the Superfund Cleanup Process (PDF), August 2016 

Recommends approaches for regional remedial Superfund programs to consider when evaluating "greener cleanup activities" throughout the remedy selection process, including during response action selection and implementation.  Regional managers should also consider these recommendations when evaluating non-time critical removal actions (NTCRAs).

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Last updated on October 7, 2024
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