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                  UNITED  STATES  ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
                                 WASHINGTON,  B.C.  20460
                                                                      OFFICE OF
                                                            SOLID WASTE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE
                                                                   OSWER-9320.1-17
                                      December 1, 2004
      MEMORANDUM
      SUBJECT:  Updating the National Priorities List (NPL)
      FROM:


      TO:

      Purpose
Michael B. Cook, Director   /s/
Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation

Superfiind National Policy Managers, Regions 1-10
            The purpose of this memorandum is to inform the Regions of a yearly schedule for
     proposing and finalizing sites on the National Priorities List (NPL).

     Background

            The National Priorities List (NPL) is a list of national priorities among the known or
     threatened releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants throughout the United
     States. The list is required under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation,
     and Liability Act (CERCLA).  CERCLA section 105(a)(8)(B) establishes the NPL and requires
     that the NPL be revised at least annually.

            The NPL is intended primarily to guide EPA in determining which sites warrant further
     investigation to assess the nature and extent of public health and environmental risks associated
     with a release of hazardous substances.  Placing a site on the NPL does not assign liability to any
     party or to the owner of any specific property; nor does it mean that any remedial or removal
     action will necessarily be taken.

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Implementation

       Although CERCLA only requires that the NPL be updated at least annually, as a matter of
policy, EPA will aim to update the NPL at least twice a year. Establishing a schedule for such
updates will be helpful for budgeting both staff and contractor resources and time.  EPA's initial
schedule for updating the NPL will be in April and September of each year. Each update will
comprise of a proposed rule and a final rule, as needed.  Throughout the year, EPA will also have
the discretion to conduct "special rules" as needed to address unique circumstances for particular
sites needing immediate proposal or finalization to the NPL.

       If you have questions regarding this memorandum, please contact me or have your staff
contact Victoria van Roden in the State, Tribal, Site Identification Branch at (703) 603-8833.
cc:     OSRTI Managers
       Debbie Deitrich, OEM
       Jim Woolford, FFRRO
       Matt Hale, OSW
       Linda Garczynski, OBCR
       Susan Bromm, OSRE
       Dave Kling, FFEO
       Earl Salo, OGC
       Charles Openchowski, OGC
       Robert Springer, Land Revitalization Staff, OSWER
       Eric Steinhaus, Superfund Lead Region Coordinator, US EPA Region 8
       NARPM Co-Chairs
       Joanna Gibson, OSRTI Documents Coordinator
                                         -2-

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