United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Information Resources
Management
(PM-211D)
EPA 220-B-92-032
PB93-128338
January 1993
SEPA
Superfund Information
Access Series:
LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS
Hazardous Waste Superfund Collection
Printed on Rec\ -jied Paper
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Hazardous Waste Superfund Collection
Legislation
and
Regulations
January 1993
Information Access Branch, PM-211D
Information Management and Services Division
Office of Information Resources Management
Office of Administration and Resources Management
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Room 2904
401M Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 260-5934
U S Environmental Protection Agency
Region 5,Libi'?ry (PI-I'M)
77 Wes; ,'ackson Bo'jio":,,,i, .'.,-;a Floor
Chicago, IL 60504-3o90
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HAZARDOUS WASTE SUPERFUND COLLECTION AND DATABASE
• The Hazardous Waste Superfund Collection (HWSFC) is
a special EPA Headquarters Library Collection on the subject
of hazardous waste. Access to the Collection is enhanced by
a Database (H WSFD) of bibliographic entries which
correspond to each item in the Collection. The EPA
Information Access Branch is responsible for the contents
and maintenance of the Collection and Database.
ACCESS
GOALS
The Collection and Database:
• Provide a unified resource of major hazardous waste
reports, books and journals available through the EPA
Library Network.
• Provide current information to assist EPA staff in making
timely and effective policy and regulatory policy decisions.
• Assist in the transfer of hazardous waste information
from the EPA to the states as part of the Agency's technology
transfer effort.
CONTENTS
• Continually growing, the Collection contains books and
journals, legislation and regulations, reports from Federal
agencies, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
(OSWER) policy and guidance directives and EPA reports
from selected program offices.
• The Database mirrors the contents of the Collection. A
user can search the Database with little or no computer
experience.
• The Hazardous Waste Superfund Collection is available
for use in the EPA Headquarters Library. Selected
documents from the Collection are distributed to the 10 EPA
Regional libraries and laboratories in Ada, OK; Cincinnati,
OH; Edison, NJ; Las Vegas, NV; Research Triangle Park, NC
and the National Enforcement Investigations Center (NEIC)
in Denver, CO.
• The Database is updated quarterly and reflects ongoing
acquisitions to the Collection.
• The Database is available to the public through the EPA
Online Library System (OLS) which resides on the EPA
mainframe. To access it, the user will need a computer,
modem and telecommunications software. The dial in
number is (919) 549-0720. The parameters are as follows:
300-9600 baud rate
7 bits
1 stop bit
even parity
At the first prompt, the user types F to access "EPA OLS".
The user then follows the prompts.
To log off, the user types Q and follows the prompts.
For user support, call: (800) 334-2405. For a user manual to
OLS, call (919) 541-2777.
• A PC version of the Database can be used at the HQ
Hazardous Waste Superfund Collection Reference area. It is
also on display at EPA's new Public Information Center.
For more information about the PC version call:
Felice Sacks (contractor)
Head Librarian of the HWSFC
(202) 260-3021
II
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CONTENTS
PAGE
Introduction v
Acronyms vfl
Basic Sources of Federal Legislation and Regulations 1
Legislation and Regulations 3
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation,
and Liability Act of 1980 3
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 5
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 7
National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan .. 9
Hazard Ranking System 11
National Priorities List 13
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act 15
Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984 17
in
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INTRODUCTION
This publication is intended as an introductory source and bibliographic
reference tool to the legislative and regulatory framework governing the
Superfund hazardous waste programs implemented by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA). The legal framework authorizing EPA's initiatives
in the areas of emergency response, removal and corrective action, and remediation of
hazardous substances, consists of the following:
• Public Law -
the law and amendments thereto addressing the cleanup of abandoned hazardous waste
sites and emergency releases of such wastes:
• Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation,
and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA)
• Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA) (Amends CERCLA)
• Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (part of SARA)
• Regulations -
rules appearing in the Federal Register and Code of Federal Regulations which implement the
provisions of the above law:
• National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP)
• Hazard Ranking System (HRS)
• National Priorities List (NPL)
• Related Law -
the law and amendments thereto addressing hazardous waste management in active
facilities which affect provisions in the Superfund law (CERCLA):
• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA)
• Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984 (HSWA) (amends RCRA)
The Hazardous Waste Superfund Collection (HWSFC), managed by the Information
Access Branch of EPA and located at the EPA Headquarters Library, contains many
reference materials which are pertinent to the above laws and regulations. These sources
either provide the full text of the legal document or analyze, interpret or summarize it.
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Legislation and Regulations is a guide to these sources. It is arranged in the order of
the laws or regulations listed above. Each entry consists of a full citation (e.g., Public Law
number, United States Code or Federal Register) and a brief summary of the law or regulation.
Bibliographic citations to full text sources and related analytical sources follow. Included
in the entry are also the title, author, publisher, call number (which identifies its location in
the HWSFC), the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) order number (when
available) and an abstract.
For further information about this document or the Hazardous Waste Superfund
Collection, contact the following librarians of the Hazardous Waste Superfund Collection:
Felice Sacks, (contractor), Head Librarian, or Fabienne McGovern (contractor), Reference
Librarian at 202/260-5934. The address is U.S. EPA Headquarters Library, Room 2904, Mail
Code PM-211A, 401 M Street, SW, Washington, DC 20460.
This document is part of a series entitled Superfund Information Access Series. The series is a
comprehensive guide to information resources available at the Environmental Protection Agency on
the subject of the Superfund program and related hazardous waste topics. The individual
publications comprising the series are as follows:
• Guide to Key Documents and Information Sources - describes individual document types
forming the core of the Hazardous Waste Superfund Collection and categorizes the
Collection according to reference type and subtopics. Provides information on obtaining
publications.
• Journals - an annotated guide to journals and other serials covering hazardous waste
topics.
• Databases and Electronic Systems - fact sheets on databases and bulletin board systems
supported by EPA and containing data related to hazardous waste.
• Hazardous Waste Superfund Database Users Manual - a guide for using the online and PC
versions of the Hazardous Waste Superfund Database.
• Hazardous Waste Superfund Database Thesaurus - a keyword guide for terms used to search
the Hazardous Waste Superfund Database.
• Legislation and Regulations - information about legislative and regulatory sources within
the Collection.
• Building a Hazardous Waste Collection - a "how to" book on acquiring basic items for a
hazardous waste collection.
Reference herein to any specific commercial publisher or service does not constitute or imply
endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the EPA. V
vi
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Acronyms
ARAR Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements
CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
EPCRA Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986
FR Federal Register
HRS Hazard Ranking System
HSWA Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984
HWSFC Hazardous Waste Superfund Collection
OSWER Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response
NCP National Contingency Plan
NPL National Priorities List
NTIS National Technical Information Service
RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
SARA Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act
S WDA Solid Waste Disposal Act
VII
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Basic Sources of Federal Legislation and
Regulations
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BASIC SOURCES OF FEDERAL LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS
The following sources are basic publications for finding Federal hazardous waste
legislation and regulations. They are located in the Reference Section of the Environmental
Protection Agency's Headquarters Library. These sources are periodically revised.
m United States Code
The United States Code (USC) consolidates and codifies Federal statutes of a permanent
nature into 49 systemically categorized titles. Because of this organization of the law by
topic, statutes such as CERCLA, RCRA, and SARA, etc. will appear under more than one
title. For example, Title 26 (Internal Revenue Code) contains portions of CERCLA and
SARA, and Title 42 (The Public Health and Welfare) contains portions of CERCLA, SARA,
EPCRA, RCRA, and HSWA. The United States Code Annotated is a second version of the
publication and contains annotations for legislative provisions.
• Reference: Tapping the Government Grapevine: The User-Friendly Guide to U.S. Government
Information Sources
Judith Robinson
Phoenix, AZ: ORYX Press, 1988, p. 83.
ISBN 0-89774-520-5
Call Number: Headquarters Library General Collection: Z1223.Z7R633
M Federal Register
In 1935 the Federal Register Act was passed to establish a uniform, centralized system for
handling agency regulations by requiring the: (1) filing of documents; (2) placement of
documents for public inspection; (3) publication of documents in the Federal Register (FR).
The FR is a daily compilation of regulations issued by all federal agencies, and is the
medium for notifying the public of official agency actions. The EPA will issue many types
of notices in the FR including: notice of meetings, proposed rules and regulations, petitions
for exemptions, notice of proposed settlements, amendments to CFR. Notifications
pertaining to hazardous waste issues take the form of changes in listing of toxic or
hazardous substances, additions or deletions in the NPL, and lexicological profiles.
• Reference: The Federal Register: What It Is and How To Use It
Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 1985, pp. 1-3.
Call Number: HWSFC Ready Reference Files
M Code of Federal Regulations
The Code of federal Regulations (CFR) is a codification of the general and permanent rules
mandated by law and published in the federal Register by the Executive departments and
agencies of the Federal government. The CFR is divided into 50 titles which represent
1
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broad area subjects used to categorize Federal regulation. Environmental issues are
primarily found in Title 40 of the CFR. Hazardous waste regulations are found in: 40 CFR
parts 240-280 (RCRA regulations), and 40 CFR parts 300-399 (NCP, EPCRA).
• Reference: Tapping the Government Grapevine: The User-Friendly Guide to U.S. Government
Information Sources
Judith Robinson
Phoenix, AZ: ORYX Press, 1988, pp. 93-94.
ISBN 0-89774-520-5
Call Number: Headquarters Library General Collection: Z1223.Z7R633
M Environmental Protection Agency, Regulatory Agenda
The EPA revises and issues the regulatory agenda semiannually. The agenda is published,
along with the agenda from other Federal agencies, in the federal Register each April and
October. The publication is intended to keep interested parties informed of the progress of
EPA regulations. It provides specific information on the status of regulations that are
under development, revision, and review at the Agency. The agenda provides the title, an
abstract, legal authority, CFR reference, any analysis EPA is preparing, a contact person,
and schedule for completion for each regulation under review.
• Reference: 57 Federal Register 52024 (November 3,1992), "Environmental Protection Agency:
Regulatory Agenda." (Compiled during the 120-day extension of the President's moratorium on the
publication of new proposed and final regulations).
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Legislation and Regulations
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LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS
• COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE, COMPENSATION, AND LIABILITY
ACT OF 1980
P.L. 96-510
94 Stat. 2767,42 U.S.C § 9601 et seq., 26 U.S.C. §§ 4611,4612,4661,4662,4671,4672
Enacted December 11,1980
SUMMARY OF THE ACT:
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of
1980 (CERCLA), commonly known as "Superfund," was enacted in response to problems
resulting from the nation's past waste disposal practices. The Act provides the Federal
government with the authority to cleanup hazardous waste sites and respond to releases of
hazardous substances. The primary goal of CERCLA was to establish an organized, cost-
effective mechanism for responding to the most serious releases of hazardous substances
from abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste sites that posed a threat to human health
and the environment. CERCLA authorized the EPA to finance the cleanup of hazardous
waste sites, using resources from the Hazardous Substance Response Fund ("Superfund
Fund" or "Fund") financed primarily from taxes on crude oil and commercial chemicals.
CERCLA was amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of
1986 (SARA).
FULL TEXT SOURCES OF THE ACT:
• A Legislative History of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act of 1980 (Superfund), Public Law 96-510,3 vols.
Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, 1983.
Call Number: HWKF1299.H39A3 1983
This legislative history compiles the documents and debates leading to the passage
of CERCLA. It presents the entire legislative process including the original bill as
introduced, the amendments and modifications, House and Senate debates, statements,
working papers, and correspondence. It contains a section by section index and a detailed
table of contents.
ANALYTICAL SOURCES:
Analytical material on CERCLA in the Hazardous Waste Superfund Collection
covers the revisions to the Act as set forth in SARA. These sources therefore are included in
the discussion that follows on SARA.
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• SUPERFUND AMENDMENTS AND REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 1986
P.L. 99-499
100 Stat. 1613 ; 26 U.S.C. § 4611 et seq., 42 U.S.C. §§ 6911,9601,11001 et sec].
Enacted October 17,1986
SUMMARY OF THE ACT:
The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA) reauthorized
CERCLA by amending or expanding many original requirements and adding new
provisions. SARA re-codified liability provisions contained in CERCLA and expanded
tools at the disposal of the Federal government to obtain settlements from those primarily
responsible for site contamination. The revisions included: (1) established cleanup
standards favoring permanent remedies for waste sites; (2) imposed mandatory schedules
on EPA for initiating and completing various remedial activities; and (3) increased State
and public involvement in the cleanup decision making process. SARA also contains the
Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) — a detailed discussion
of which is found on pp. 7-8.
In addition, SARA increased the amount of money in the original Fund from $1.6 to
$8.5 billion over the period 1986-1991. These monies were made available directly to
Superfund from excise taxes on petroleum and feedstock chemicals, an environmental tax
on corporations, Congressional appropriations, and monies collected from parties
responsible for site contamination.
SARA reauthorized the Superfund program for only five years and at expiration,
Congress extended the program for three years as part of the November 5,1990, Omnibus
Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, P.L. 101-508, Subtitle D, Section 6301.
FULL TEXT SOURCES OF THE ACT:
• Legislative History of Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986,
Public Law 99-499. 4vols.
Washington, DC: US Department of the Interior, 1988.
Call Number: HW KF 1299.H39A3 1988, Vols. 1-4
This legislative history compiles materials leading to the passage of SARA. It
presents documents comprising the entire legislative process including: major bills,
amendments and modifications, House and Senate debates, congressional statements,
working papers, and correspondence, and Congressional Record excerpts.
• The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980: as
amended bit the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (P.L. 99-499)
Washington, DC: US Government Printing Office, 1987.
Call Number: HW KF 3945.C651987
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ANALYTICAL SOURCES:
• Superfund Deskbook: The Environmental Law Reporter
Washington, DC: Environmental Law Institute, 1986.
Call Number: HWKF1299.H39A3 1986
This annotated legislative history provides a comprehensive guide to understanding
SARA and an analytical insight into its provisions. It presents a brief historical section on
the process and political climate in which the legislation was passed. It offers the reader a
section-by-section commentary of CERCLA that includes both the amended and original
language, Senate and House actions, and extensive footnotes leading the reader to sources
for the original language of both CERCLA and SARA. The Deskbook also contains the
complete text of CERCLA as amended by SARA and the text of the National Contingency
Plan (NCP) including the National Priorities List (NPL) by rank.
• Superfund Manual - Legal and Management Strategies, 4th Edition.
Rockville, MD: Government Institutes, Inc., 1990
Call Number: HWKF1299.H39S92 1988
This text provides an in-depth analysis of the provisions of CERCLA, SARA and
corresponding regulations. It presents applicable case law for each of the provisions
highlighted. The full text of CERCLA and SARA is also included.
• CERCLA Regulations and Keyword Index, 1991 Edition
Lakewood, CA: McCoy and Associates, Inc. 1991.
Call Number: HW KF 3946.C4 1991
This volume focuses on Federal regulations, as of February 1991, that pertain to the
cleanup of hazardous wastes sites and the response of the Federal government to
hazardous substances releases. At the outset the Index presents an overview of the NCP
followed by the complete text, including Appendix A containing the Hazard Ranking
System (HRS) and Appendix B containing the NPL. Master keyword indexes are included.
The publisher, McCoy and Associates, produces a bi-monthly journal, The Hazardous
Waste Consultant and provides a regulatory analysis service, both of which are sources for
more detailed regulatory interpretations. See pp. 8 and 16 for other indexes produced by
the publisher.
• Superfund II: A New Mandate
Washington, DC: The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. 1987.
Call Number: HW KF 3945.A8H3 1987
This publication presents the original Superfund statute, details issues raised during
the legislative process, explains why changes were needed in the original law and discusses
the 1986 amendments. It offers insight on the political framework and historical context for
the legislation and reveals a personal account of the development of Superfund through
comments by political leaders.
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• Superfund Report Policy Guide
Washington, DC: USEPA, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, 1986.
Call Number: HW EPAX 8801-0046
This Guide presents a timeline delineating the major legislative events leading to the
enactment of SARA. It also highlights significant features of each section of the Act and
includes a Superfund glossary of terms.
• New Superfund: What It Is, How It Works (Videorecording)
Washington, DC: National Archives Trust Board, 1987.
Call Number: HW TD 811.5.N48 LO
Six one-hour tapes of the 1987 EPA nationwide video-conference documents the
Superfund Program following the passage of SARA. The tapes are available in either VHS
or three quarters inch format.
• CERCLA Orientation Student Manual
Washington, DC, USEPA: Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, 1990.
Call Number: HW EPAX 9012-0035
In an outline form this manual delineates key components of CERCLA and SARA as
they are covered in a USEPA staff orientation program.
• CERCLA Law and Procedure
Washington, DC: The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc., 1991.
Call Number: HW EPAX T-60.
Analyzes provisions in CERCLA/SARA from a legal perspective. Includes a
legislative history, the text of the law, table of cases cited and acronymns.
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• EMERGENCY PLANNING AND COMMUNITY RIGHT-TO-KNOW ACT OF 1986
P.L. 99-499
42 USC § 11001 et seq.
Enacted October 17,1986
SUMMARY OF THE ACT:
The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA), also
known as SARA Title in or Title IE, revises and expands the authority of CERCLA and is a
free-standing law designed to address concerns about the effect of chemical releases on
communities. The law is divided into three programs. Section 301 calls on communities to
develop emergency plans for responding to releases of hazardous substances. Section 312
contains provisions that grant the general public and emergency response personnel access
to information on chemicals present at local facilities. Section 313 requires companies to
provide EPA with an annual accounting of toxic chemicals released into the environment.
This accounting is contained in the Toxic Release Inventory, which details information on
the annual estimated releases of toxic chemicals to the environment.
FULL TEXT SOURCES OF ACT:
• SARA Title III Law and Regulations: A Handbook Covering the Emergency Planning and
Community Right-To-Know Act, 3rd Edition.
Rockville, MD: Government Institutes, Inc., 1989.
ISBN 0-86587-760-2
Call Number: HW KF 3958.A72 1988
The appendices of this publication contain the text of the SARA statute. In addition,
the Handbook summarizes the requirements of EPCRA, provides a cross reference to
applicable regulations, and presents a synopsis of key provisions. It also lists Federal
Register notices concerning: EPA Subtitle A Regulations; EPA List of Extremely Hazardous
Substances; EPA Subtitle B Regulations; EPA Section 313 Reporting.Regulations; and
EPCRA Trade Secrecy Regulations.
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ANALYTICAL SOURCES:
• SARA Title III: Intent and Implementation of Hazardous Materials Regulations 1990
New York, NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1990.
Frank L. Fire, et al.
ISBN0-442-23903-7
Call Number: HW KF 3958.F571990
This book describes fully the language of Title III within the context of congressional
intent. It offers information for those entities involved in Title HI; namely, industry, first
responders, fire departments, local governments, and the regulated community. It also
contains appendices that include: 1) the complete text of EPCRA; 2) forms and instructions
on reporting releases; and 3) a hazardous chemicals list as of April 1988.
• SARA Title III: Regulations and Keyword Index
Lakewood, CO: McCoy and Associates, 1991.
ISBN 0-930469-07-0
Call Number: HW KF 3958.S38
This volume focuses on the Federal regulations issued pursuant to EPCRA. It is
similar in format to CERCLA Regulations and Keyword Index discussed on p. 5. Users who
are familiar with the way the Code of Federal Regulations is organized can utilize this
publication in a similar manner.
• Bibliography of Materials on the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (Title
III of SARA)
Washington, DC, USEPA: Solid Waste and Emergency Response, 1991.
Call Number: EPAX 9110-0143
This annotated bibliography is organized along the major subdivisions of EPCRA.
Unless otherwise noted, all of the listed sources are available by sending a written request
to the EPCRA Hotline (800/535-0202; 703/920-9877). When the source is not available,
ordering information is included.
8
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• NATIONAL OIL AND HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES POLLUTION CONTINGENCY PLAN 1990
55 Federal Register 8666 (March 8,1990)
40 Code of Federal Regulations part 300
SUMMARY OF THE PLAN:
The National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Plan, also known as the
National Contingency Plan (NCP), was originally written to implement provisions in the
Clean Water Act with respect to spills of oil and hazardous substances into navigable
waters. The NCP was revised in 1982 to implement Section 105 (8)(A) of CERCLA [now
Section 105(a)(8)(A)] and Executive Order 12316,46 Federal Register 42237 (Aug. 20,1981).
Several revisions followed the 1982 incorporation of the 1980 Superfund program. A
revision in 1983 covered the National Priorities List and subsequent part revisions were
promulgated in 1985. The latest revision in March 1990 addressed significant changes in
the Superfund program resulting from the enactment of SARA. Among other things, the
1990 promulgation was to clarify the language in the previous NCP and incorporate
changes based on program experience since the 1985 revisions.
The NCP sets forth the legal requirements for response actions by Federal agencies,
States, and private parties to toxic releases and oil spills. It provides for: 1) a national
system of responses to hazards caused by toxic waste and oil spills; 2) a process for
investigating and cleaning up toxic waste sites; 3) environmental standards for cleanup;
and 4) a structured analytical process to promote consistency in deciding on cleanups
across the country. The NCP emphasizes the use of treatments which eliminate
permanently or reduce to safe levels the threat posed by highly toxic waste.
Revisions:
47 f ederal Register 31180 (July 16,1982)
48 Federal Register 40658 (September 8,1983)
50 Federal Register 37624 (September 16,1985)
50 Federal Register 47912 (November 20,1985)
55 Federal Register 8666 (March 8,1990)
FULL TEXT SOURCE OF THE PLAN:
• National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan
(NCP) 1990
Washington, DC: USEPA, 1990.
NTIS Number: PB90-160326
The text as it appeared in the March 8,1990 Federal Register notice is contained on
this microfiche.
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ANALYTICAL SOURCES:
* An Informational Briefing: National Contingency Plan
Washington, DC: USEPA, 1990.
NTIS Number: PB90-160326
Call Number: HW EPAX 9110-0037
In addition to the text of the NCP, this Briefing presents highlights of the regulation,
fact sheets, and a detailed "question and answers" section which addresses aspects of the
NCP, such as: 1) its scope; 2) the purpose of the revisions; 3) the relationship between the
NCP and the 90 day study; 4) changes the NCP has made in the remedial response
program; and 5) changes the NCP has made in the removal program.
• The Final National Contingency Plan: New Directions for Superfund
Washington, DC: USEPA, Office of Solid and Emergency Response, 1990.
NTIS Number: PB90-272600
Call Number: HW OSWER9319.0-01FS
This directive describes how the Superfund Management Review and the final NCP
established a management and regulatory blueprint for implementation of the Superfund
law. It summarizes Superfund's new goals for hazardous waste cleanup and how those
goals are achieved.
• Proposed Revisions to the National Contingency Plan: Fact Sheet
Washington, DC: USEPA, 1985.
Call Number: HW EPAX 8504-0025
This document details the seven major proposed revisions to subpart F, pertaining
to CERCLA response operations, and explains the rationale for the changes. The minor
changes in subparts A through E and G are also listed.
10
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• HAZARD RANKING SYSTEM
55 Federal Register 51532, (December 14,1990)
40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 300, Appendix A
SUMMARY OF THE SYSTEM:
The Hazard Ranking System (HRS) is the principal mechanism used to construct the
NPL. The HRS numerically scores each hazardous waste site with such factors as the
quantity and nature of hazardous waste present and the likelihood of contamination of
groundwater, surface water, and air. In 1990 the HRS was revised in accordance with the
statutory requirements of SARA. The revisions change the way EPA evaluates potential
threats to human health and the environment from hazardous waste sites and make the
HRS more accurate in assessing relative potential risk. The original HRS can be found in 47
FR 31180 (July 16,1982) or in Appendix A of the 1985 NCP.
FULL TEXT SOURCES OF SYSTEM:
• 55 Federal Register 51532 (December 14,1990)
Washington,DC: USEPA, 1990.
Call Number: HW EPAX 9201-0030
The text of the HRS is contained in the above cited Federal Register which also
provides an overview of the revisions, discussion of public comments on the proposed
revisions, citations for the original and revised HRS text, as well as the actual working
score sheet. The HRS is also found in Appendix A in the NCP.
ANALYTICAL SOURCES:
The following sources address quick factual information on the revised.HRS. These
fact sheets cover various topics including: 1) definitions; 2) summaries of key provisions; 3)
purpose of the system; 4) relationship with the NCP and SARA; and, 5) need for the
revisions.
• The Revised Hazard Ranking System; An Improved Tool for Screening Superfund Sites
Washington, DC: USEPA, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, 1990.
NTIS Number: PB91-921307
Call Number: HW OSWER 9320.7-01FS (Fact Sheet)
* The Revised Hazard Ranking System: Background Information
Washington DC: USEPA, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, 1990.
NTIS Number: PB91-921303
Call Number: HW OSWER 9320.7-03FS (Fact Sheet)
11
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• The Revised Hazard Ranking System; Os and As
Washington,DC: USEPA, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, 1990.
NTIS Number: PB91-921305
Call Number: HW OSWER 9320.7-02FS (Fact Sheet)
• Closing the NPL Book: the Original HRS
Washington, DC: USEPA, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, 1990.
NTIS Number: PB91-921302
Call Number: HW OSWER 9320.7-04FS (Fact Sheet)
12
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• NATIONAL PRIORITIES LIST
48 Federal Register 40658 (September 8,1983).
(For a comprehensive list of NPL Federal Register citations, see publication National Priorities List,
Supplementary List and Supporting Materials. February 1991,Washington, DC: USEPA, Office of
Emergency and Remedial Response, 1991, pp. 18-19. Call Number: HW EPAX 9104-0005.
Updated periodically).
SUMMARY OF THE LIST:
CERCLA, as amended by SARA, required that the NCP include a list of national
priorities among the known releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances,
pollutants, or contaminants. The National Priorities List (NPL) constitutes this list. The
EPA uncovers potential hazardous waste problems through many sources including
reports from State, community, business, and citizens at the National Response Center
hotline. These sites are then evaluated by the EPA for possible hazards posed by site
contaminants and, if warranted, placed on the NPL.
Sites are placed on the NPL primarily on the basis of an HRS score, a process by
which potential risks to the community are assessed numerically. The NPL serves as an
informational tool for use by the EPA in identifying sites that appear to present significant
risk to public health or the environment and therefore warrant additional investigation to
assess the nature and extent of the public health risk. Sites may be deleted from the NPL if
EPA determines that no further response is required to protect human health or the
environment.
FULL TEXT SOURCES OF THE LIST
(For a complete listing of NPL sites (past and present), consult the source for the Federal Register
citations as noted above).
ANALYTICAL SOURCES:
Amendments to the NPL, both additions and deletions, are conducted through the Federal
Register. EPA produces summaries of its NPL action periodically in three documents. The
latest editions of these documents are contained in the Hazardous Waste Superfund
Collection as follows:
(1) National Priorities List, Supplementary List and Supporting Materials, February 1991;
(2) Background Information : National Priorities List, proposed Rules, July 1991; and
(3) Descriptions of 22 Sites Proposed for the National Priorities List as of July of 1991.
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• National Priorities List Fact Book, June 1986
Washington, DC: USEPA, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response, 1986.
Call Number: HW EPAX 8608-0005
This publication outlines the development of the NPL from the original NPL
promulgated in December of 1982 until the listing in June of 1986. It explains the process
whereby sites are identified and placed on the NPL. It also contains tabular data, as of June
1986, such as: 1) NPL Sites by Rank; 2) Proposed Sites by States; 3) Final and Proposed NPL
Sites by State; 4) Final and Proposed NPL Sites by EPA Region; 5) Superfund Flowchart;
and 6) Federal Proposed Sites.
• Superfund: Focusing on the Nation at Large; a Decade of Progress at National Priorities List Sites
Washington, DC: USEPA, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response, 1991.
NTIS Number: PB91-921207
Call Number: HW OSWER 9200.5-701 A; PB92-963252
A key guide to NPL sites, this document summarizes the progress made in the
cleanup of sites on the NPL. It also provides a State-by-State summary of 422 improved
sites. It is supplemented by individual State books which contain detailed information on
all NPL sites listed at the time of this publication.
• National Priorities List, Supplementary Materials, February 1992
Washington, DC: USEPA, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, 1992.
Call Number: HW EPAX 9104-0005
This document sets forth the criteria for listing sites and the Federal Register notices
of action on the NPL. It includes the previous NPL proposals/promulgations as listed in
the Federal Register. It also contains tabular data, as of September 1992, similar to
categories appearing in National Priorities List, Fact Book, June 1986 (see above).
• Procedures for Completion and Deletion of National Priorities List Sites and Update
Washington, DC: USEPA, Office of Emergency and Remedial Response, 1989.
NTIS Number: PB90-274556
Call Number: HW OSWER 9320.2-03A
This directive focuses on the technical requirements for determining the completion
of cleanup at Superfund sites. Such completion requirements were developed to establish a
definable endpoint as a basis for deleting sites from the NPL. Topics covered include: 1)
Completion Scenario for Removal Sites; 2) Close Out Reports Review and Approval
Process; 3) Contributions of Superfund Cleanup Activities to the Close Out Report; and 4)
The Deletion Process.
• NPL Characterization Project: National Results
Washington, DC: USEPA, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, November 1991.
NTIS Number: PB92-963304
This series provides a "snapshot" of sites on the National Priorities List as of February 1991.
Regional reports are also available.
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• RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND RECOVERY ACT
P.L. 94-580
90 Stat. 2795
42 U.S.C § 6901 et seq.
Enacted 10/21/76
SUMMARY OF THE ACT:
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) was the third phase in the
sequence of previously enacted Federal solid waste laws intended to regulate such
substances in the environment. The first was the Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA), passed
in 1965 (Title II of the Clean Air Act P.L. 89-272) followed by the Resource Recovery Act of
1970 (P.L. 91-512). RCRA established the first statutory framework for Federal and State
regulation of hazardous waste. Subtitle C of RCRA created the Federal government's
hazardous waste management program.
The Act addresses the management of hazardous substances from the initial
generation through treatment, transportation, storage and ultimate disposal, in effect
"cradle to grave." RCRA set standards for the generators of hazardous waste to protect
human health and the environment. The "goals, objectives, and requirements" of the RCRA
program have been incorporated within CERCLA which specifically requires that on-site
remedies meet any legally applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements (ARARs),
standards, criteria or limitations under Federal or more stringent State environmental law.
This means that cleanup alternatives for CERCLA sites must comply with RCRA
requirements in addition to other Federal or State ARARs. CERCLA Sec. 121(d).
The law was amended by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984
(HSWA).
FULL TEXT SOURCES OF THE ACT:
• A Legislative History of the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as Amended
Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1991.
Call Number: HWKF1298.L52 Vols. 1-2
This legislative history compiles all congressional documentation relating to SWDA,
from RCRA through HSWA into one comprehensive document. It contains the major bills,
reports, and debates of each of these Acts.
• The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; Public Law 94-580
Washington, DC: USEPA, 1981.
Call Number: HWKF3945.A83 1981G
This source contains the text of RCRA as amended by HSWA.
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ANALYTICAL SOURCES:
• RCRA Regulations and Keyword Index. 1991 Edition
Lakewood, Co: McCoy Engineering, Inc., 1991.
ISBN 0-930469-06-2
Call Number: HW KF 3946.A3697 R371991
This volume focuses on Federal regulations issued pursuant to RCRA. The Index
follows a similar format to the CERCLA Regulations and Keyword Index discussed on p. 5.
• RCRA Hazardous Wastes Handbook, 8th Edition
Rockville, MD: Government Institutes, Inc., 1989.
Call Number: HW KF 3946 .R371989
The purpose of this Handbook is to help readers gain a working knowledge of the
Federal hazardous waste management program implemented by EPA. Statutory
provisions are briefly presented followed by overviews of certain sections and analytical
discussion. In addition the text of RCRA, SWDA, and HSWA are included as well as
regulatory definitions and citations.
• RCRA Orientation Manual. 1990 Edition
Washington, DC: USEPA, 1990.
Call Number HW EPAX 8603-01151990
Designed to provide introductory information on the solid and hazardous waste
management programs under RCRA, this manual outlines the basic framework of the
regulatory program for new EPA and State employees and others interested in the Act.
The first four sections include an introduction to RCRA, review of subtitle D requirements
for nonhazardous solid waste, and a discussion of Subtitle C requirements for hazardous
waste. Section VI examines RCRA's relationship to other environmental laws, especially
CERCLA.
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• HAZARDOUS AND SOLID WASTE AMENDMENTS OF 1984
P.L. 98-616
98 stat. 3221
42 U.S.C. § 6991 et sea.
Enacted November 8,1984
SUMMARY OF THE ACT:
The Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984 (HSWA) amended RCRA in
1984 by banning all land disposal of untreated hazardous waste and greatly expanding the
regulated community. Congress included for the first time statutory deadlines for issuing
permits for all treatment, storage, and disposal facilities. The law attempted to minimize
the nation's reliance on land disposal for hazardous waste by encouraging waste-
management practices that prevented or minimized environmental releases, and by
determining which wastes should be restricted from land disposal. HSWA sought to
reduce the environmental and health risks posed by hazardous waste still managed at land
disposal facilities by establishing minimum technology requirements. The EPA's
enforcement powers were also expanded, as well as the list of prohibited action
constituting crimes, and penalties for violations were increased.
FULL TEXT SOURCES OF AMENDMENTS:
• A Legislative History of the Solid Waste Disposal Act, As Amended
Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1991.
Call Number: HWKF1298.L52 Vol. 1 & 2
This legislative history compiles all congressional documentation relating to SWDA,
from RCRA through HSWA into one comprehensive document. It contains the major bills,
reports, and debates of each of these Acts.
• Environmental Statutes
Rockville, MD: Government Institutes, Inc., 1987.
Call Number: HWKF 3775.A3E591987
This publication provides the full text for the following environmental statutes:
HSWA, CERCLA, EPCRA, RCRA, SARA.
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ANALYTICAL SOURCES:
• Hazardous Waste: Confronting The Challenge
New York, NY: Quorum Books, 1987.
Call Number: HW KF 3946.H371987
This book presents a comprehensive policy-oriented analysis of the political and
historical background that lead to the reauthorization of a more stringent RCRA in the
form of the HSWA amendments. After the political background discussion, the book covers
the broad categories of HSWA including: 1) RCRA as enacted in 1976; 2) HSWA
amendments; 3) land disposal; 4) permits; 5) small quantity generators; 6) listing and
delisting; 7) enforcement; 8) role of the States; 9) underground storage tanks.
• Hazardous Waste Regulation, the New Era, An Analysis and Guide to RCRA and the 1984
Amendments
Richard C. Fortuna and David J. Lennett
New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1987.
Call Number: HW KF 3946.F671987
This book provides the reader with an understanding of the changes in waste
management following enactment of HSWA. With the exception of the first chapter which
contains a brief historical overview of the Federal regulatory program, the authors
generally follow the structure of RCRA as amended by HSWA, presenting a detailed
analysis and description of the Federal hazardous waste program.
• The New RCRA; A Fact Book
Washington, DC: USEPA, Office of Solid Waste, 1985.
Call Number: HW EPAX 8602-0089
This factbook places RCRA in historical perspective, summarizes the main
provisions of amendments, and describes the responsibilities of those who generate,
transport, treat, recycle, and dispose of regulated wastes.
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