National Priorities List

National Priorities List. It is the list of sites of national priority among the known releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants throughout the United States and its territories. The list, which is part of the Superfund program, serves as the basis for prioritizing enforcement actions and long-term remedial evaluation and cleanup work. Managed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, inclusion on this list makes a site eligible for federally funded, long-term cleanup under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act.

Overview

The list identifies the most serious uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous waste sites that warrant further investigation and potential cleanup action. Sites can include a wide range of locations, from former industrial facilities like the Love Canal to federal facilities such as the Hanford Site. The United States Environmental Protection Agency uses a structured scoring system called the Hazard Ranking System to evaluate potential sites. Placement on the list is a formal public notice that the agency may pursue remedial action using the Superfund trust fund or by compelling responsible parties to perform the cleanup.

History and establishment

The list was formally established by the enactment of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act in 1980, a landmark law passed in response to environmental disasters like the contamination at Love Canal in New York and the Valley of the Drums in Kentucky. This legislation, often called Superfund, was significantly amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act in 1986. The initial list, published in 1982, included infamous sites such as the Stringfellow Acid Pits in California and the Lipari Landfill in New Jersey. The program's creation was influenced by advocacy from figures like Lois Gibbs and oversight from committees like the United States Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Listing process and criteria

A site is typically proposed for listing after an assessment using the Hazard Ranking System, which evaluates risks based on factors like the toxicity of waste, proximity to populations, and potential contamination of groundwater. The process involves a period of public comment and consultation with relevant state and tribal governments, such as the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Sites can be listed through the HRS score, by designation of a state or territory, or if they meet specific criteria set by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Notable sites listed through this process include the Gowanus Canal in New York City and the West Lake Landfill in Bridgeton, Missouri.

Site management and cleanup

Once listed, sites enter the Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study process to determine the extent of contamination and evaluate cleanup alternatives. The selected remedy is documented in a Record of Decision, which guides the subsequent Remedial Design and Remedial Action phases. Cleanup can involve complex engineering projects, such as the ongoing work at the Portland Harbor Superfund Site in Oregon or the sediment dredging in the Housatonic River in Massachusetts. The United States Army Corps of Engineers often provides technical support, while enforcement actions may be coordinated with the United States Department of Justice.

Impact and controversies

The program has been credited with transforming landscapes, leading to the redevelopment of cleaned sites like the Rocky Mountain Arsenal into a National Wildlife Refuge. However, it has also faced criticism over the pace of cleanups, liability issues for potentially responsible parties, and funding challenges. Controversies have arisen at sites like the Tar Creek Superfund Site in Oklahoma regarding the adequacy of responses to health risks. Debates over cleanup standards and costs are frequent, involving stakeholders from industry groups like the American Chemistry Council to community organizations such as the Center for Health, Environment & Justice.

Category:Superfund Category:United States Environmental Protection Agency Category:Hazardous waste in the United States