The Superfund Process

Steps in an EPA Superfund cleanup

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) commonly known as Superfund, was enacted by Congress in 1980.

The law authorizes actions, including long-term remedial response actions, that permanently and significantly reduce the dangers associated with releases or threats of releases of hazardous substances that are serious, but not immediately life threatening. These actions can be conducted only at sites listed on the Enviromental Protection Agency (EPA)'s National Priorities List.

The Superfund cleanup process begins with site discovery or notification to the EPA of possible releases of hazardous substances. Sites are discovered by various parties, including citizens, state agencies, and EPA regional offices. EPA evaluates the potential for a release of hazardous substances from the site through these:

Steps in the Duwamish Superfund cleanup process:

• Preliminary Assessment/Site Inspection
  Investigations of site conditions. If the release of hazardous substances requires immediate or short-term response actions, these are addressed under the Emergency Response program of Superfund.
• National Priorities List (NPL) Site Listing Process
  A list of the most serious sites identified for possible long-term cleanup.
• Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study
  Determines the nature and extent of contamination. Assesses the treatability of site contamination and evaluates the potential performance and cost of treatment technologies.
• Records of Decision
  Explains which cleanup alternatives will be used.
• Remedial Design/Remedial Action
  Preparation and implementation of plans and specifications for applying site remedies. The bulk of the cleanup usually occurs during this phase.
• Construction Completion; Post Construction Completion; National Priorities List Deletion
• Site Reuse/Redevelopment
  Information on how the Superfund program is working with communities and other partners to return hazardous waste sites to safe and productive use without adversely affecting the remedy.