U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region Ill/Middle Atlantic States
EPA-903-F-99001 Spring 2000
Bradley M. Campbell
Regional Administrator
Thomas C. Voltaggio
Deputy Regional
Administrator
Abraham Ferdas
Director. Hazardous Site
Cleanup Division
Kathryn Hodgkiss
Deputy Director. Hazardous Site
Cleanup Division
Kenneth Kryszczun
Superfund Ombudsman
Superfund Hotline
800-553-2509
1650 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2029
215-814-3000
800-438-2474
••
•
•
-
... <*
http://www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd
SUPERFUND
ADMINISTRATIVE
REFORM
2000 UPDATE
EPA Region III
Delaware
District of Columbia
Maryland
Pennsylvania
Virginia
West Virginia
A Message About Superfund Reform
EPA began improving its hazardous site cleanup
process seven years ago. Today, after three rounds of
administrative reform, the Superfund hazardous site cleanup
program is fundamentally and demonstrably different. By
considering different perspectives of the various stakeholders
in the Superfund process in developing these reforms, EPA
has succeeded in promoting cost-effective cleanup choices that
protect human health and the environment over the long-
term; reducing litigation so more time and energy is spent on
cleanups rather than lawyers; and helping communities
become more involved in the cleanup process.
Broad in scope, these reforms ensure that Superfund cleanups
across the nation continue to be faster, fairer, and more
efficient.
The program's accomplishments are substantial. EPA has
already completed cleanup construction at 680 sites on the
National Priorities List (NPL) of hazardous waste sites, and
with appropriate funding, is committed to cleaning up 300
more by the year 2002.
Parties responsible for contamination continue to plan and
perform about 75% of Superfund long-term cleanup actions,
saving taxpayers billions of dollars. Billions more are saved by-
applying new technologies to update cleanup decisions.
Superfund reform encourages reuse and redevelopment of
sites by awarding national Brownfields Pilot grants each year,
and by tackling liability concerns of prospective site buyers
with over 115 agreements clarifying site responsibilities.
Successes in our region reflect these outstanding national
trends. This brochure highlights the significant accomplish-
ments of Superfund reform in EPA Region III, comprised of
Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania,
Virginia, and West Virginia. Superfund reform is making a positive
difference in your community.
Abraham Ferdas
Director, Region III Hazardous Site Cleanup Division
Kathryn Hodgkiss
Deputy Director, Region III Hazardous Site Cleanup Division
Accomplishments in the Mid-Atlantic States
Since Spring 1999, six more hazardous waste sites have
been proposed to the Superfund NPL in Region III. Another
nine sites have been formally added to the list, making them
eligible for long-term federal cleanup support. That brings the
current number of Mid- Atlantic Superfund sites to 205, with 93
percent of these sites having undergone or are undergoing
cleanup action. All physical cleanup work is complete at 89 sites,
and cleanup activities are well underway at another 63. Since
January 1999, we signed 24 Records of Decisions (RODs), an
outstanding progress indicator formalizing the selection of site
cleanup methods.
When science and technology updates become available, EPA
reconsiders its cleanup remedies and saves money by revising them.
Since this reform took effect in 1995, Region III has changed 52
RODs, resulting in estimated cost savings of $180 million.
EPA in the Mid-Atlantic states is aggressive and fair in enforcing
Superfund law. Region III, at 80 percent, outpaces the nation for
the number of sites where responsible parties are designing
upcoming Superfund cleanups. We have also removed over 1600
small-volume waste contributors, the 'little guys' caught in the
liability web by other parties.
Recognizing the economic and community benefits of redevel-
oping formerly contaminated lands, Region III seeks to "recycle"
Superfund sites. Publicker Industries, the nation's 500th cleanup
completion, will yield 1,500 new jobs as it is redeveloped as a Port of
Philadelphia shipping terminal. With community input, the Avtex
Fibers Superfund site in Virginia is being transformed into a
nature conservancy, commercial space, and sports fields.
The region's support of reform initiatives is reflected in customer
service as well. Our Ombudsman responds to hundreds of calls
from stakeholders with Superfund questions and concerns. Our
website, http://www.epa.gov/reg3hwmd, provides user-
friendly information on Superfund programs and sites, and over
the past year alone, has received well over 1.6 million 'hits'.
-------
Each day, industries
in the Mid-Atlantic
states generate 50,000
tons of hazardous waste.
uperfund reforms ensure
i
hazardous waste site
cleanups are faster, fairer,
and more efficient.
Accelerated Cleanups of Toxic Waste Sites
The completion of 85 Superfund hazardous waste site
cleanups, as of March 2000, is one indication of the record
pace EPA in the Mid-Atlantic states has set for cleaning up
sites while protecting your health and your environment.
With a streamlined cleanup process and increased pace,
Region III looks forward to completing 35 more sites by the
end of 2002.
Using New Technologies to Save Money
Region III has changed 52 cleanup decisions* when
advancements in science and technology can assure a safe,
effective cleanup. The cost savings for Mid-Atlantic
taxpayers are tremendous, totaling approximately $180
million dollars so far. At the Whitmoyer Labs Superfund
site in Pennsylvania, five changes are saving over 342
million and at least two years of cleanup time. One innova-
tive technology now in place there uses waste from another
industry (steel production) to chemically react with
Whitmoyer's contaminated groundwater. The result? Clean,
treated water and big savings.
Fair and Aggressive Enforcement is Key
A core principle of the Superfund program is that the cost
of cleaning up toxic-waste sites should be borne by the
parties responsible for the waste. Our "Enforcement First"
strategy has assured that responsible parties (RPs) perform
or pay for 73 percent of all long-term cleanups in Region III
and 83 percent of pending cleanups. RP funding has saved
taxpayers more than $2.4 billion to date in Region III.
At 'orphan sites,' where EPA bridges the funding gap when
RPs are defunct or insolvent, Region III has now offered
over $32 million at 14 Superfund sites to cover all or some
of the orphan share. In addition, Region III has now
reached settlements, sometimes at no cost, with approxi-
mately 1600 small-volume waste contributors who were
dragged into the liability system by large RPs at 26 sites.
Redeveloping Superfund Sites
Region III has one of the most aggressive programs in the
nation to promote redevelopment of contaminated sites by
protecting prospective purchasers, lenders, and property
owners from Superfund liability. Region III has entered into
25 Prospective Purchaser Agreements, assuring that these
buyers will not be responsible for cleaning up sites where they
did not contribute to or worsen contamination. Sports
enthusiasts are some of the big winners: a portion of the
massive Avtex Fibers Superfund site in Virginia is being
transformed into soccer fields; the Ohio River Park Superfund
site near Pittsburgh is being redeveloped as a multi-million
dollar sports complex; the Millcreek Landfill in Erie is being
reused as a golf course, and the Kane & Lombard Drums site
in Baltimore just opened as a golf driving range. And some-
times the land is simply returned to its natural state: at Army
Creek Landfill in Delaware, the site was revegetated to attract
migratory birds, and a portion of the Avtex Fibers site is being
transformed into a spacious nature convervancy for the local
community.
Brownfields: Creative Reuse Solutions
The idea behind EPA's Brownfields Pilot Program is that
environmental cleanup must go hand-in-hand with bringing
life and economic vitality back to communities. The
Brownfields reforms empower states, communities, and other
stakeholders to work together to assess, clean up, and reuse
these properties. In Region III, abandoned and contaminated
properties in 24 communities that were once used for indus-
trial and commercial purposes have been designated
Brownfields Pilots, making them eligible for grants and
assistance. The Cape Charles Sustainable Technology Park in
Virginia is a great example of what can be accomplished when
efforts are pooled. Leveraging $8 million in federal funds,
including a Brownfields grant from Region III, the community
has developed the nation's first eco-industrial park, emphasizing
zero emissions, resource efficiency, and pollution prevention.
Region III Superfund Scorecard
Millenium Reforms Update
Increasing the Pace of Cleanups
• Completed 85 ha/ardous xvaste site cleanups,
35 more cleanups expected by close of2on2
Updating Cleanup Decisions
• 52 cleanup decisions changed since I l)c'5
• Sr9,0( 10,000 in taxpayer savings
Compensating for the Orphan Share
AOUO.UUU ottered at II sites
Removing Liability Barriers to Site
Redevelopment
• Signed 25 Prospective Purchaser Agreements,
actively reviewing 13
Promoting Fairness in Enforcement
Promoting Brownfields Redevelopment
• Awarded pilot grants of 5200,000 each to 2 I
communities
• Spearheaded federal bro\\ nfields partnership,
involving 16 agencies, to expedite redevelop
Created the first-ever Browntields Yellow
:lopment
Communicating with Communities
• Increased community involvement, resulting
in greater satisfaction \viih selected remedies
• Created Internet site with information on
Superfund sites, cleanup actions and links to
states, receiving over 1.6 million 'hits' last ve.i
• ( (mbudsman has responded to hundreds of
stakeholder calls ami pro\ ided neutral
facilitation and mediation services
',/«„•;/, JiltIII
------- |