CERCLA/SARA ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW MANUAL PTepared by: United States Environmental Protection Agency - Region 11 Office of Policy and Management Environmental Impacts Branch 26 Federal Plaza New York, New York 10278 With Assistance from: Maguifc Group Inc. Architect»/Engineer»;PUnner» One Court Street New Britain, Connecticut 06051 JANUARY 1988 ------- INTRODUCTION This Manual is intended to assist remedial project managers (RPMs) from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Region II in ensuring that Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980/Superfund Amendments and Rea/ithorization Act of 1986 (CERCLA/SARA) remedial actions are functionally equivalent with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and comply with the requirements of other environmental statutes. Specifically, this Manual discusses compliance requirements of those statutes that address the following environmental resources: wetlands/water bodies; floodplains; endangered and threatened species/ critical habitats; coastal zones; coastal barriers; cultural resources; wild and scenic rivers; wilderness areas; and significant agricultural lands. EPA's NEPA compliance staff is uniquely qualified to review CERCLA/SARA remedial actions to ensure compliance with these statutes. Addi- tionally, RPM's should also consult with other EPA program offices, federal agencies, and state-agencies, as necessary, to ensure that CERCLA/SARA remedial actions comply with all other environmental statutes that are not covered by this Manual. Chapter 1 discusses the concept of NEPA functional equivalency as it applies to the CERCLA/SARA review process. In addition, it details the history and rationale behind ensuring CERCLA/SARA project compliance with other environmental statutes, and pre- sents the reasoning behind involving the regional NEPA compliance staff in the CERCLA/SARA review process. Chapter 2 presents sections on all of the environmental resources listed above. The respective sections present the other environ- mental statutes (ARARs) that apply to the environmental re- sources. Additionally, these sections present the review proced- ures that must be followed to ensure compliance with the respec- tive other environmental laws. Chapter 3 describes EPA's responsibilities under the natural resource damage assessment provisions of CERCLA/SARA and the National Contingency Plan (NCP). These requirements are mandated by CERCLA/SARA to ensure that risks and damages to natural resources that would result from a release of hazardous sub- stances are adequately assessed and compensated. The Manual also includes several appendices that contain support- ing documentation for the Chapters. This Manual has been bound in a loose-leaf binder to enable easy revisions and updates as necessary. ------- TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE INTRODUCTION i TABLE OF CONTENTS ii LIST OF FIGURES v LIST OF ACRONYMS vi 1. Overview 1.1 Functional Equivalence with NEPA 1.1 1.2 Compliance with Other Environmental Statutes 1.2 2. Environmental Review Procedures 2.1 Wetlands/Water Resources 2.1.1 2.1.1 Legislative/Regulatory Framework 2.1.1 2.1.2 Environmental Review Procedures 2.1.3 2.2 Floodplains 2.'2.1 2.2.1 Legislative/Regulatory Framework 2.2.1 2.2.2 Environmental Review Procedures 2.2.3 2.3 Endangered Species 2.3.1 2.3.1 Legislative/Regulatory Framework 2.3.1 2.3.2 Environmental Review Procedures 2.3.2 2.4 Cultural Resources 2.4.1 2.4.1 Legislative/Regulatory Framework 2.4.1 2.4.2 Environmental Review Procedures 2.4.3 2.5 Wild and Scenic Rivers 2.5.1 2.5.1 Legislative/Regulatory Framework 2.5.1 2.5.2 Environmental Review Procedures 2.5.2 ii ------- 2.6 Coastal Zones 2.6.1 2.6.1 Legislative/Regulatory Framework 2,6.1 2.6.2 Environmental Review Procedures 2.6.2 2.7 Coastal Barriers 2.7.1 2.7.1 Legislative/Regulatory Framework 2.7.1 2.7.2 Environmental Review Procedures 2.7.1 2.8 Wilderness Areas 2.8.1 2.8.1 Legislative/Regulatory Framework 2.8.1 2.8.2 Environmental Review Procedures 2.8.1 2.9 Significant Agricultural Lands 2.9.1 2.9.1 Legislative/Regulatory Framework 2.9.1 2.9.2 Environmental Review Procedures 2.9.3 3. Natural Resource Trustee Coordination 3.1 Introduction 3.1 3.2 EPA Actions 3.2 3.3 Trustee Actions 3.3 APPENDICES APPENDIX A SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATON A-l Memorandum of Applicability of Section 102(2) (c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to Response Actions Under Section 104 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, September 1, 1982 A-2 Memorandum on CERCLA Remedial Actions and NEPA/EIS Functional Equivalency, August 22, 1984 A-3 Memorandum on Coordination Between Regional Superfund Staffs and OFA Regional Counterparts on CERCLA Actions, October 29, 1984 A-4 CERCLA Environmental Issues and Requirements - EIB/ERRD Coordination Procedure A-5 Memorandum on CERCLA Compliance with Other Environ- mental Statutes, October 2, 1985 iii ------- APPENDIX B ENDANGERED SPECIES INFORMATION B-l List of Federally Listed and Proposed Endangered and Threatened Species B-2 List of Critical Habitats B-3 Guidelines for Conducting a Biological Assessment APPENDIX C LIST OF WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS APPENDIX D LIST OF COASTAL BARRIERS APPENDIX E LIST OF WILDERNESS AREAS APPENDIX F SIGNIFICANT AGRICULTURAL LANDS INFORMATION F-l Significant Agricultural Lands as Defined by EPA Policy F-2 Farmland Conversion Impact Rating Form (AD 1006) APPENDIX G NATURAL RESOURCE TRUSTEE INFORMATION G-l Natural Resource Trustee Notification Form G-2 MOU Between EPA And DOI - Preliminary Natural Resource Surveys APPENDIX H CONTACTS iv ------- LIST OF FIGURES Figure # 1-1 2-1 2-2 2-3 2-4 2-5 2-6 2-7 2-8 2-9 2-10 2-11 2-12 Title Following Page CERCLA/SARA and NEPA Processes Wetland Cross Section Procedures for Wetlands/Water Resources Review Under CERCLA/SARA Floodplain Cross-Section Procedures for Floodplain Review Under CERCLA/SARA Sample Floodplain Delineation (FEMA Map) Procedures for Endangered Species Review. Under CERCLA/SARA Procedures for Cultural Resources Review Under CERCLA/SARA Procedures for Wild and Scenic Rivers Review Under CERCLA/SARA Procedures for Coastal Zone Review Under CERCLA/SARA Procedures for Coastal Barrier Review Under CERCLA/SARA Procedures for Wilderness Area Review Under CERCLA/SARA Procedures for Significant Agricultural 1.2 2.1.1 2.1.3 2.2.1 2.2.3 2.2.4 2.3.2 2.4.3 2.5.2 2.6.2 2.7.1 2.8.1 2.9.3 Lands Review Under CERCLA/SARA ------- LIST OF ACRONYMS ACHP Advisory Council on Historic Preservation AHPA Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1974 ARAR Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirement ARPA Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 BA Biological Assessment BO Biological Opinion CBRA Coastal Barrier Resource Act of 1982 CE Categorical Exclusion CEQ Council on Environmental Quality CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 CFR Code of Federal Regulations COE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers CRS Cultural Resource Survey CWA Clean Water Act CZMA Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 DEIS Draft Environmental Impact Statement DOC Department of Commerce DOI Department of the Interior EA Environmental Assessment EIB Environmental Impacts Branch EIS Environmental Impact Statement EPA Environmental Protection Agency EPIC Environmental Photo Interpretation Center ERRD Emergency and Remedial Response Division ESA Endangered Species Act of 1973 FDPA Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 FEIS Final Environmental Impact Statement FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency FNSI Finding of No, Significant Impact FPPA Farmland Protection Policy Act of 1981 FS Forest Service FWCA Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958 FKS Fish and Wildlife Service HRS Hazard Ranking System HSA Historic Sites Act of 1935 IRL Interagency Review Letter MOA Memorandum of Agreement MOU Memorandum of Understanding NCP National Contingency Plan NEPA National Environmental Policy Act MFIA National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 MHPA National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NPL National Priorities List NPS National Park Service NRDA Natural Resource Damage Assessment NRHP National Register of Historic Places NWI National Wetlands Inventory vi ------- LIST OF ACRONYMS (Cont'd.) OEA Office of External Affairs OFA Office of Federal Activities 0PM Office of Policy and Management OSWER Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response PA Preliminary Assessment RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 RD/RA Remedial Design/Remedial Action RI/FS Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study ROD Record of Decision RPM Remedial Project Manager SARA Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 SCS Soil Conservation Service SHPO State Historic Preservation Officer SSCD State Soil Conservation District USC United States Code USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture WA Wilderness Act WRC Water Resources Council WSRA Wild and Scenic Rivers Act vii ------- OVERVIEW ------- 1.1 Functional Equivalence with NEPA The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 USC 4321 et seq) requires federal agencies to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with major actions that they fund, support, permit, or implement. Generally, this is accomplished by build- ing into the decision-making process appropriate and careful consideration of the environmental impacts of proposed actions and measures to avoid and minimize potential adverse effects of the actions. Specifically, NEPA requires federal agencies to consider five (5) issues during the planning of major actions: 1) the environmental impact of the proposed action; 2) any adverse impacts which cannot be avoided with the proposed imple- mentation; 3) alternatives to the proposed action; 4) the relationship between short- and long-term effects; and 5) any irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources which would be involved in a proposed action. Further, Section 102(2) (c) of NEPA requires federal agencies to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for major actions "significantly affecting the quality of the human environment". Implementing regulations for NEPA have been developed and issued by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), which oversees the NEPA process for the Executive Branch. These regulations (i.e., 40 CFR Part 1500 - 1508) set forth the general requirements that federal agencies must follow to ensure compliance with NEPA. In addition to providing the regulatory basis and procedural re- quirements for the preparation of EISs, these regulations also provide for the preparation of Findings of No Significant Im- pacts/Environmental Assessments (FNSI/EAs) and Categorical Exclusions (CEs) for categories of actions that will not cause environmental impacts. Under the CEQ's NEPA regulations, all federal agencies are required to determine which of their activi- ties are major actions subject to NEPA, and to develop their own regulations for implementing NEPA. EPA's NEPA implementation regulations are presented in 40 CFR Part 6. Functional equivalency is a term which was coined by the District of Columbia Circuit Court concerning EPA's role under NEPA. In general, the Court held that EPA is exempt from preparing NEPA documents (i.e., EISs and FNSI/EAs) for regulatory actions where the Agency's work product constitutes the functional equivalent of a NEPA review (e.g., RCRA permits). Although the Courts have applied the concept of functional equivalence only to regulatory actions, the EPA's Office of General Counsel has issued an opinion that extends the functional equivalency concept to site specific non-regulatory actions as well (see Appendix A-l), such as remedial actions under CERCLA/SARA. 1.1 ------- In the case of CERCLA/SARA remedial actions, a comparison of the remedial investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS) process to the NEPA review process (see Figure 1-1) highlights the broad simi- larities in both processes that lends support to the extension of the NEPA functional equivalence concept to the CERCLA/SARA program. Generally, the RI/FS process produces a document that is very similar to a NF.PA EIS or expanded FNSI/EA. It should be noted, however, that the processes are not identical. Moreover only through compliance with the requirements of other environ- mental statutes can CERCLA/SARA remedial actions be considered to be in full compliance with NEPA. 1.2 Compliance with Other Environmental Statutes As indicated in Section 1.1 above, there are a series of other environmental statutes (e.g., the National Historic Preservation Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Coastal Zone Management Act, the Executive Orders on Floodplains and Wetlands, etc.; that must be complied with to ensure that CERCLA/SARA remedial actions are functionally equivalent with NEPA. Each of these other environ- mental statutes has unique review procedures established that are independent of NEPA. Accordingly, although compliance with these statutes comprises an important subset of the NEPA process, compliance with them is mandatory for all projects, independent of the NEPA process. In 1984, EPA's Office of External Affairs (OEA) and Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) recognized the need to address compliance with other environmental statutes during the process of planning CERCLA/SARA remedial actions. These offices further recognized the expertise that regional NEPA compliance staffs have in meeting the compliance requirements. Therefore, OEA and OSWER issued joint guidance memoranda on August 22, 1984, and October 29, 1984, recommending the establishment of close coordination between regional CERCLA/SARA and NEPA compliance staff to ensure full compliance of remedial actions with the requirements of other environmental statutes (see Appendices A-2 and A-3, respectively). Building on these guidance memoranda, EPA Region II's Emergency and Remedial Response Division (ERRD) and Office of Policy and Management (0PM) established procedures for coordination between ERRD and the Environmental Impacts Branch (EIB) to ensure that CERCLA/SARA remedial actions comply with the environmental statutes. Under these procedures, dated April 10, 1985, (see Appendix A-4), EIB reviews all proposed remedial actions (both remedial and enforcement lead), and recommends to the RPMs appro- priate actions to ensure compliance. These procedures, which were fully implemented in FY-86, represent a significant positive effort taken by this regional office to establish a formal working relationship between CERCLA/SARA and NEPA compliance staffs" 1.2 ------- CERCLA / SARA AND NEPA PROCESSES FIGURE 1-1 r.FRCLA / SARA PROCESS PA I SITE VISIT ^ -"" "' 1^ SITE INVESTIGATION f-l HRS RANKING NPL LISTING NPL ISSUE INTERAGERCY REVIEW LETTER 60 DAYS CQttttENT PREPARED//'! ISSUE ^ ^ ^PREPARE FS j 3 WK COMMENT ISSUE ROD I NO ACTION NEPA PROCESS ACTION _. SIGNIFIC NEEDS I!S ENVIRO ENVIRON. IMPACT REVIEW? N 0 Ul ANT ISSUE N01 N. rc-L INITIATE S? ~^ FORMAL EIS SCOPING 4KNOUN A 30 DAYS COMMENT POSSIBLE SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS PREPARE I ISSUE DEIS PREPARE EA 45 DAYS COMMENT NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS PREPARE t ISSUE FEIS ISSUE FNSI/EA 30 DAYS COMMENT 30 DAYS COMMENT i»» ISSUE ROD FORMAL DECISION ON ACTION ISSUE CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION C> IMPLEMENT ACTION HASUIRE SHOUP IMC, ------- Additionally, EPA's OSWER recognized the need to issue further guidance on ensuring that CERCLA/SARA projects comply with the environmental statutes, and issued a policy statement addressing this need on October 2, 1985 (see Appendix A-5). This policy statement, which was included in the November 20, 1985 revisions to the National Contingency Plan (NCP), identifies potentially applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements (ARARs) with which CERCLA/SARA actions must comply. Further, Section 121 of SARA reinforces and expands the OSWER policy statement by mandating that CERCLA/SARA actions must comply with federal, state, and local ARARs. Under SARA, therefore, ARARs include those laws, regulations, and policies that address the following environmental resources: . wetlands/water resources; . floodplains; . endangered and threatened species/critical habitats; . coastal zones; . cultural resources; . wild and scenic rivers; . coastal barriers; . wilderness areas; and . significant agricultural lands. The environmental review procedures discussed in Chapter 2 are keyed to the four (4) principal activities of the CERCLA/SARA remedial action process: the Interagency Review Letter (IRL), formerly known as the A95 clearinghouse letter, is the scoping phase of the process; the Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) is the analysis phase of the process; the Record of Decision (ROD) is the decision phase of the process; and the Remedial Design/Remedial Action (RD/RA) is the imp1ementation phase of the process. The text and flow charts in Chapter 2 indicate in which phase certain environmental review procedures are carried out. 1.3 ------- Although responsibility for final decisions on CERCLA/SARA remedial activities is not delegable, some remedial activities in EPA Region II are directed by state agencies and carried out by responsible parties. Further, EPA views delegation of certain environmental review functions as both feasible and desirable in some circumstances, but is bound to retain responsibility for final decisions regarding the impacts of remedial actions. Accordingly, this Manual should be used as a guide to state agencies and responsible parties as well as EPA's RPMs during their respective CERCLA/SARA remedial activities. 1.4 ------- ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCEDURES ------- 2.1 WETLANDS / WATER RESOURCES ------- 2.1 WETLANDS/WATER RESOURCES Wetlands are defined by Executive Order 11990 on Protection of Wetlands, Section 7(c) as "those areas that are inundated by surface or ground water with a frequency sufficient to support and under normal circumstances does or would support a prevalence of vegetative or aquatic life that requires saturated or season- ally saturated soil condition? for growth and reproduction". Wetlands include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas such as sloughs, prairie potholes, wet meadows, river overflows, mud flats, natural ponds, and mangrove swamps. Figure 2-1 is a cross section diagram of a wetland. 2.1.1 Legislative/Regulatory Framework (Potential ARARs) National policy considers wetlands to be unique and vital natural resources of critical importance; the unnecessary destruction or alteration of wetlands should be discouraged as contrary to the public interest. The Federal Government has promulgated laws, executive orders, regulations and guidelines to minimize destruction of or adverse impacts to the nation's wetlands and water resources. Those statutes which are relevant to wetlands/water resource protection and to the intent of this Manual are summarized as follows: Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958 (FWCA) (16 USC 661) The FWCA requires federal agencies to give wildlife conservation equal consideration with other features during planning and decision-making processes that may impact water bodies (including wetlands). If the project will impact water resources under FWCA, the agency must consult with appropriate state and federal wildlife agencies to determine necessary mitigative measures. Clean Water Act of 1972 (CWA), as amended (33 USC 466) Section 404 of the CWA established a national program to control the discharge of dredged or fill materials into waters of the United States. "Waters of the United States" include all tributaries of navigable waters up to their headwaters and landward to their ordinary high water mark and all tidal waters up to the high tide line, thus including wetlands. The section established a permit program that is administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) and overseen by EPA for the placement of dredged and fill material into these waters. 5?.1.1 ------- UPLAND PALUSTRINE UPLAND PALUSTRINE UPLAND » PALUSTRINE UPLAND Seepage Zone WETLANDS CROSS-SECTION a TEMPORARILY FLOODED (hj, b SEASONALLY FLOODED c SEMIPERMANENTLY FLOODED d INTERMITTENTLY EXPOSED e PERMANENTLY FLOODED f SATURATED HIGH WATER AVERAGE WATER LOW WATER SOURCE: FWS. 1979. CLASSIFICATION OF WETLANDS AND DEEPWATER HABITAT OF THE US FIGURE 2-1 ------- COE - Regulatory Programs of the Corps of Engineers (33 CFR 320-330) These regulations describe the policies and procedures related to applications for COE permits for various activities altering waters of the United States. The regulations also expand the CWA definition of waters of the United States to specifically include wetlands. EPA - Guidelines for Specifications of Disposal Sites for Dredged or Fill Material (40 CFR 280) These guidelines establish procedures for reviewing applications for permits for the placement of dredged or fill materials in waters of the United States, including wetlands. They emphasize restoration and maintenance of the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of these waters in accordance with the CWA. EPA - Administrator's Statement Number 4 - February 23. 1973 This decision statement outlines the values of wetlands and states that it is EPA's policy to give special attention to any proposal that may damage wetlands and to protect wetlands to the maximum extent practicable from adverse dredging and filling practices and non- point source pollution. Executive Order 11990 - "Protection of Wetlands" - May 24. 1977 Executive Order 11990 directs federal agencies to take actions to minimize the destruction, loss, or degrada- tion of wetlands and to preserve and enhance the natural and beneficial values of wetlands in carrying out the agencies' responsibilities. In addition, this Executive Order requires the agencies to consider factors relevant to a proposal's effect on the survival and quality of the wetlands. EPA - Statement of Procedures on Floodplain Management and Wetlands Protection - January 5. 1979 Based primarily on Executive Orders 11988 and 11990, these procedures state EPA's policy of avoiding impacts to wetlands in all EPA programs. The procedures 2.1.2 ------- require the determination of whether or not the pro- posed remedy will be in or will affect wetlands. If so, a wetlands assessment must be prepared. Refer to Chapter 2.2 for discussion of application to flood- plains. COE - Regulatory Guidance Letter on Superfund Projects - July 5, 1955 This letter was issued in response to EPA's position that CERCLA actions need not obtain permits under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act or Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act. Specifically, the letter directs appropriate COE personnel not to require permit applications for actions proposed under the authority of CERCLA. EPA - Statement of Policy on Floodplains and Wetlands Assessments for CERCLA Actions - August 5, 1985 This policy states that if it has been determined that the proposed remedy will be in or will affect wetlands, a wetlands assessment must be prepared. This assess- ment must be incorporated into the analysis conducted during the planning of remedial actions under the NCP and CERCLA and should be included in the feasibility study. 2.1.2 Environmental Review Procedures Figure 2-2 outlines the environmental review procedures for wetlands and water resources as they apply to CERCLA/SARA. IRL: During the scoping of remedial actions, EPA should identify any wetlands/water resources in the project area that may be potentially affected by contamination at the site or by the remedial action. Although in-field analysis is the best method for identifying wetlands/water resources, such analy- sis may be considered too detailed for this phase of a remedial action. Accordingly, other readily available sources may be used. A recommended source is the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) maps developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). These maps, prepared by interpret- ing aerial photographs, are generally transparent overlays to the U.S. Geologic Survey's 7.5 minute quad sheets. They are available from the appro- priate FWS office. Additional sources for identi- fying wetlands/water resources during this phase of the project include: COE reports, Soil Surveys prepared by the Soil Conservation Service (SCS), 2.1.3 ------- PROCEDURES FOR WETLANDS/WATER RESOURCES REVIEW UNDER CERCLA/SARA CERCLA/SARA FIGURE 2-2 PROJECT PHASE IRL RI/FS DETERMINE IF PROPOSED ACTION IS IN AFFECTING WETLANDS/WATER RESOURCES DELINEATE WETLANDS/WATER RESOURCES IDENTIFY IMPACTS OF PROPOSED ACTION, CONDUCT WETLANDS/WATER RESOURCES ASSESSMENT AND IMPLEMENT FW CONSULTATION PUBLIC NOTICE AND REVIEW ROD RD/RA DEVELOPMENT/IMPLEMENTATION OF MITIGATION NO FURTHER WETLANDS/WATER RESOURCES REVIEW REQUIRED NJTE» REFER TO TEXT FOR MORE DETAILS NMVIRC IROUP INC. ------- Environmental Photo Interpretation Center (EPIC) documentation, state wetland maps, and local sources (see Appendix H). If no wetlands/water resources exist in the project area, the RI/FS may proceed without further consideration of the procedures set forth Oelow. RI/FS: If wetlands/water resources exist in the project area, the impacts of the contamination and poten- tial remedial actions on these areas must be assessed in the RI/FS. The RI/FS workplan should provide for completion of all required wetlands/ water resources assessment work during the prepa- ration of the RI/FS. The first part of a wetlands/water resources assessment is the accurate delineation of any such areas that could be affected by the contamination or remedial actions. As stated above, the deline- ation must be based on in-field analysis. The recommended method for delineating these resources is detailed in EPA's Wetlands Identification and Delineation Manual (April 19, 1987 interim final). When the wetlands/water resources are accurately delineated, the detailed assessment work can proceed. The wetlands/water resources assessment includes the following: a description of the proposed action; a description of the wetlands/water resources functions at and in the vicinity of the site; a description of the effects of the proposed action on the wetlands/water resources functions; a description of the alternatives considered and their effects on wetlands/water resources functions; and a delineation of measures to minimize poten- tial harm to wetlands/water resources func- tions. Clearly, the best method for avoiding impacts of remedial actions on wetlands/water resources is to avoid these features where selecting remedies. However, this is not always possible and in some cases (e.g., when wetlands/water resources are contaminated) may be unavoidable. There are a 1.1.4 ------- variety of measures to mitigate unavoidable adverse wetland/ water resources impacts. These measures include but are not limited to: enforcing seasonal restrictions on construc- tion activities as practicable; restoring surface and subsurface flow pat- terns; using proper erosion and sedimentation control; minimizing easement widths; prohibiting dumping in wetlands/water re- sources; limiting size of construction equipment; ensuring appropriate treatment levels for effluent discharges to wetlands/water bodies; prohibiting the use of chemicals for dust control; minimizing exposure of acid soils; restoring the disturbed area so as to re- create the area's wetlands functions; and replacing disturbed wetland areas with newly created wetlands. It should be noted that mitigative measures, particularly wetland restoration, can be very costly remedial action alternatives. Accordingly, when possible, those alternatives that result in the least impacts to wetlands/water resources should be favored if all other factors are equal. Fish and Wildlife Coordination In accordance with the FWCA, the appropriate state and federal wildlife agencies (see Appendix H) must be consulted if wetlands/water resources will be impacted by a CERCLA/SARA project. These 2.1.5 ------- agencies will be helpful in developing out-of-wet- land alternatives or recommending proper mitiga- tion. Specifically, the FWCA requires the respon- sible official to coordinate with the appropriate state and federal wildlife agencies, whenever a project impounds, diverts or otherwise modifies wetlands or water resources. Results of the coordination, including all mitigation measures, must be documented i., writing. This information will, in turn, be incorporated into the wetlands/ water resources assessment, which will be included in the RI/FS. ROD: The ROD should include a summary of EPA's activi- ties to ensure that impacts to wetlands/water resources are properly addressed and mitigated. RD/RA: Unavoidable impacts to wetlands/water resources must be mitigated during the implementation phase of the CERCLA/SARA remedial action. 2.1.6 ------- UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION VIII 999 1 8th STREET - SUITE 500 DENVER, COLORADO 80202-2405 JUNO 7 1988 Ref: SRC MEMORANDUM TO: Joni Teter Assistant Regional Counsel , FROM: Marion Yoder ) > } Assistant Regional Counsel Brad Miller, 8WM-SP Water Management Division SUBJECT: Substantive Requirements of CWA §404 The following is a distillation of the substantive requirements of the Section 404(b)(1) Guidelines, 40 C.F.R. Part 230.10, et. seq. These guidelines were developed by EPA in conjunction with the Corps of Engineers for the specification of disposal sites for discharges of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States. These include all navigable waters, territorial seas, lakes, streams, intermittent streams, wet meadows, weltands, mudflats, sloughs, prairie potholes or other waters whose. use could affect interstate commerce. Section 404(b)(l) Requirements NOTE: Questions 1 through 4 must be answered in the negative before a determination of compliance with the 404(b)(!) Guidelines can be made. 1 . Is there a practicable alternative to the proposed discharge which would have less adverse impact to the aquatic environment which could also not have other significant adverse environmental consequences. (40 C.F.R. Part 230.10(a) ). Yes No This section defines the term "practicable" in terms of its availability, cost, technology, and logistics in light of overall project purpose. An area not presently owned which could reasonably be obtained to fulfill the basic purpose of the proposed discharge may, and should, be considered. ------- Upland alternatives are presumed to be available and to have less impact on the aquatic ecosystem. The initial and most difficult hurdle for any applicant is overcoming the upland alternative presumption. 2. Does the discharge of dredged or fill material cause or contribute to violations of any applicable state water quality standard or toxic effluent prohibition? (40 C.F.R. Part 230.10(b)(1)). Yes No In addition to water quality standards within the given state where the impacts are occurring, EPA may be required to make a determination concerning violations of applicable water quality standards for interstate impacts in downstream states. This determination may be based, in part, on the opinions of downstream states regarding compliance with their applicable water quality standards. 3. Does the discharge jeopardize the continued existence of. species listed as threatened or endangered? (40 C.F.R. Part 230.10(b)(3». Yes No Will the discharge result in the destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat? Yes No EPA generally relies on the opinion of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the state fish and game agency here. Other individuals or groups and organizations may also submit useful and appropriate information which may be used. to supplement that of the federal and state agencies. 4. Does the discharge contribute to significant degradation of the waters of the United States? Human health and welfare, aquatic and wildlife ecosystems and recreational, aesthetic and economic values are considered here. Yes No Findings of significant degradation are based on the evaluations which are "listed in Subparts B and G after consideration of Subparts C-F." These evaluations include determination of physical substrate, water circulation, fluctuation of water levels, salinity determinations, suspended particulates, contaminants, aquatic ecosystems, ------- NOTE: 5. disposal sites, cumulative effects, and secondary effects as well as evaluation of the dredged or fill material and its chemical, biological, and physical characteristics. Question 5 must be answered in the affirmative before a determination of compliance with the 404(b)(l) Guidelines can be made. Have all appropriate and practicable steps been taken which will minimize potential adverse impacts of the discharge on the aquatic ecosystem? (40 C.F.R. 230.10(d). Yes No As discussed in part 1, above, alternatives which result in minimization of the adverse impacts to the aquatic ecosystem must be considered and, unless otherwise more damaging, chosen. If no alternative is practicable which avoids impacts to the aquatic ecosystem, alternatives which minimize such impacts must be chosen. Compensatory mitigation is then required to compensate for unavoidable adverse impacts. For wetland impacts, compensatory mitigation often includes restoration of previously damaged wetlands or creation of replacement wetlands which will replace the wetland functions to be lost due to the project. In-kind mitigation measures are generally required as they provide better replacement of lost wetland functions. An EPA "formula" for mitigation has been devised, which calls for replacement"of wetlands on the following bases: hydrologic restoration creation vegetative restoration additional mitigation measures 1 acre for 1 acre 2 acres for 1 acre 3 acres for 1 acre evaluated case by case Frequently, applicants wish to replace lost wetlands with existing wetlands. This abrogates the idea we promote of "no net loss" and thus is generally insufficient. ------- 2.2 FLOOOPLAINS ------- 2.2 FLOODPLAINS Floodplains are defined by Executive Order 11988 on Floodplain Management, Section 6(c) as "lowland and relatively flat areas adjoining inland and coastal waters including floodprone areas of offshore islands ..." (see Figure 2-3). These resources are categorized as 100 year floodplains (areas subject to a 1.0% chance of flooding in any given year) and 500 year floodplains areas subject to a 0.2% chance of flooding in any given year). CERCLA/SARA actions require consideration of the 500 y floodplain. JT 2.2.1 Legislative/Regulatory Framework (Potential ARARs) National policy recognizes the need to minimize adverse economic impacts to the public caused by flooding. The federal government has promulgated laws, executive orders, regulations and guidelines to reduce these impacts. Those statutes which are relevant to floodplain management and to the intent of this Manual are summarized as follows: National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (NFIA) (42 USC. The NFIA authorized the National Flood Insurance Program. This is a federally subsidized program to protect property owners who previously had not been able to obtain coverage through the private insurance industry. In return for the federal subsidy, states and local governments must adopt minimum management strategies to avoid future flood damage within their floodplain areas. Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 (FDPA) (42 USC 4401) The NFIA was amended in 1973 by the FDPA, which expand- ed the available limits of flood insurance coverage and imposed additional requirements on property owners and communities. The FDPA required the purchase of flood insurance on or after March 2, 1974, as a condition of receiving any federal assistance for projects in special flood hazard areas located within any community in which the sale of flood insurance has been author- ized under the program. In other words, no federal financial assistance can be legally approved for projects located in floodplains if the community is not participating in the flood insurance program. 2.2.1 ------- 100 YEAR FLOOD PLAIN FLOODWAY FRINGE FLOODWAY FLDOD ELEVATION WHEN CONFINED WITHIN FLOODWAY STREAM CHANNEL FLOODWAY FRINGE AREA OF FLOOD PLAIN THAT COULD BE USED FOR DEVELOPMENT BY RAISING GROUND FLOOD ELEVATION BEFORE ENCROACHMENT ON FLOOD PLAIN LINE A-B IS THE FLOOD ELEVATION BEFORE ENCROACHMENT UNEC-D IS THE FLOOD ELEVATION AFTER ENCROACHMENT » SURCHARGE NOT TO EXCEED I.OFOOT(FEMA REQUIREMENT) OR LESSER AMOUNT IF SPECIFIED BY STATE. FLOODPLAIN CROSS-SECTION SOURCE: FEMA FLOOD INSURANCE STUDIES FIGURE 2-3 ------- Executive Order 11988 - "Floodplain Management" - May 24, 1977 Executive Order 11988 directs federal agencies to avoid long- and short-term adverse impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of floodplains. In addition, the executive order requires the avoidance of direct and indirect support of floodplain development wherever there are practicable i"iernatives. Agencies responsible for providing federal assistance for . construction and improvements and for conducting programs affecting land use should take actions: to reduce risk of flood loss; to minimize the impacts of floods on human safety, health, and welfare; and to restore and preserve the natural and beneficial values served by floodplains. Water Resources Council (WRC) - Floodplain Management Guidelines - February 10, 19/8 These guidelines, issued to aid other federal agencies in amending their regulations and procedures to comply with Executive Order 11988, outline an eight (8) step decision-making process required by section 2(a) of the Executive Order 11988. The steps are: 1. determine if the proposed action is in the base floodplain (500 year floodplain for CERCLA/SARA projects); 2. conduct early public review; 3. identify and evaluate alternatives to locating in the base floodplain; 4. identify impacts of the proposed action; 5. minimize, restore and preserve; 6. reevaluate alternatives; 7. present findings and public explanation; and 8. implement action. This process relies heavily on public review of the proposed action and all alternatives. 2.2.2 ------- The guidelines hold that certain projects or portions may be designated as a critical action, which is any activity for which even a slight chance of flooding would be too great. In the case of critical actions, the area requiring consideration is expanded from the 100 year to the 500 year floodpl?ir. All CERCLA/SARA actions are to be considered critical actions and, therefore, the 500 year floodjjlain is considered. EPA - Statement of Procedures on Floodplain Management and Wetlands Protection - January 5, 1979 In addition to requiring the preparation of wetlands assessments (as indicated in Section 2.1.1), these procedures also mandate the preparation of a flood- plains assessment when appropriate. EPA - Statement of Policy on Floodplains and Wetlands Assessments for CERCLA Actions - August 5, 19185 In addition to requiring the preparation of wetlands assessments (as indicated in Section 2.1.1), this policy also mandates the preparation of floodplains assessments as appropriate for the CERCLA program. 2.2.2 Environmental Review Procedures Figure 2-4 outlines the environmental review procedures for floodplains as they apply to CERCLA/SARA. IRL: During the scoping of remedial response actions, EPA should identify any floodplains in the project area that could be affected by the remedial action. If no floodplains exit in the project area, the RI/FS may proceed without further consideration of the procedures set forth below. RI/FS: If floodplains are identified, the impacts of potential remedial actions on these areas must be assessed in the RI/FS. As indicated above, the area of concern for CERCLA/SARA actions includes both the 100 and 500 year floodplains. The RI/FS workplan should provide for completion of flood- plains assessment during the preparation of the RI/FS. The first phase of a floodplains assessment is the accurate delineation of the floodplains in the project area. If the project area is predominant- ly privately owned, EPA should consult with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) which maintains maps that delineate floodplains. These maps show the boundaries and elevations of the 100 and 500 year floodplains (i.e., Zones A and B, 2.2.3 ------- PROCEDURES FOR FLOQDPLAIN REVIEW UNDER CERCLA / SARA FIGURE 2-4 CERCLA/SARA RRQJECT PHASE IRL RI/FS DETERMINE IF PROPOSED ACTION IS IN FLODDPLAINS * DELINEATE FLOOOPLAINS IDENTIFY IMPACTS OF PROPOSED ACTION AND CONDUCT FLOODPLAINS ASSESSMENT FINDINGS AND PUBLIC EXPLANATION ROD RD/RA DEVELOPMENT/IMPLEMENTATION OF MITIGATION NO FURTHER FLOODPLAINS REVIEW REQUESTED FOR CRITICAL ACTIONS (CERCLA ACTIONSI/'FLOQOPLAINS" ARE DEFINED AS THE 500 YEAR FLOODPLAINS ADAPTED FROM FEDERAL REGISTER, VOL. 43. NO. 29-FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 10. 1978 MIIIU IMflP IK. ------- respectively) (see Figure 2-5). A copy of a flood insurance rate map can be obtained by calling FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program at 1-800-638-6620. For areas predominantly state or federally owned, consult with the controlling agency. Following delineation of floodplains in the project area, preparation of the floodplains assessment can proceed. The assessment must include: a description of the proposed action; a description of its effects on the flood- plains; a description of all alternatives to the proposed action and their effects on the floodplains; and a delineation of measures to minimize poten- tial adverse effects on the floodpalins. If no practicable remedial action alternatives exist outside the floodplains, EPA shall develop measures to minimize adverse effects to the flood- plains. The following list presents some possible (but not all) measures for minimizing adverse floodplains impacts: protecting treatment units/equipment from flooding and flood damage through proper design considerations; using minimum grading requirements; returning the site to natural contours; maintaining floodplain vegetation to reduce sedimentation; regulating methods used for grading, filling, soil removal and replacement to reduce sedimentation; requiring a topsoil protection program; minimizing easement widths; implementing appropriate erosion control measures; minimizing the use of fill; and 2.2.4 ------- V SAMPLE FLOODPLAIN DELINEATION SOURCE: FEMA FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP FIGURE 2-5 ------- restricting the operation of construction equipment and the placement of spoil storage areas in floodplains. The benefits of preserving floodplains in their natural or relatively undisturbed state include not only reduction of flood hazards, but mainte- nance of water quality standards, replenishment of ground water, soil conservation, the fostering of fish, wildlife and plant resources, and the provision of recreational areas. As stated previously, the floodplains assessment must be presented in the project's RI/FS. ROD: The ROD should include a summary of EPA's activi- ties to ensure that impacts to floodplains are properly addressed and mitigated. RD/RA: Unavoidable impacts to floodpalins must be miti- gated during the implementation phase of the CERCLA/SARA remedial action. 2.2.5 ------- 2.3 ENDANGERED SPECIES ------- 2.3 ENDANGERED SPECIES The Endangered Species Act provides a means whereby various species of fish, wildlife, and plants which are threatened with extinction may be conserved. The ESA defines an endangered species as "any species which is in danger of extinction through- out all or a significant portion of its range...". In addition, the ESA defines a threatened species &* "any species that is likely to become an endangered species withii: «.ne foreseeable future...". Further, the ESA provides for the designation of critical habitats, which are "specific areas within the geogra- phical area occupied by the (endangered or threatened) species... on which are found those physical or biological features essen- tial to the conservation of the species...". 2.3.1 Legislative/Regulatory Framework (Potential ARARs) Endangered Species Act of 1973JESA), as amended (16 U§C 1531J Section 7(a) of the ESA requires federal agencies to ensure that actions they authorize, fund, or carry out are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of endangered/threatened species or adversely modify or destroy the critical habitats of such species. Actions which might jeopardize listed species have been inter- preted to include direct and indirect effects, together with the cumulative effects of other actions which are interrelated or interdependent with the proposed action. If listed species or their habitats are to be affected by a proposed project, consultation between the agency acting on the project and the appropriate wildlife agency (i.e., the FWS for terrestrial and freshwater species and the National Marine Fisheries Service [NMFS] for marine species) must be undertaken. Con- sultation is required to determine whether or not the project is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered/threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of a critical habitat. Section 7 of ESA requires that specific procedures be followed in order to make this determina- tion. 2.3.1 ------- 2.3.2 Environmental Review Procedures Figure 2-6 outlines the environmental review procedures for endangered/threatened species as they apply to CERCLA/SARA. IRL: Early in the planning phases of a CERCLA/SARA remedial action, EPA must determine whether the contamination at the site or potential remedial actions will have an impact on endangered/threat- ened species or critical habitats. In some cases, knowledge of potential remedial action and refer- ence to Appendices B-l and B-2 will satisfy the requirements for making this determination. However, where doubt exists, EPA must initiate the informal consultation process that follows. If EPA is unable to make a determination concern- ing the site's/project's impacts on endanger- ed/threatened species and critical habitats using available resources, EPA should prepare a written request to the appropriate office(s) of the FWS or the NMFS requesting a determination of whether there are listed or proposed species or critical habitats present in the study area. A written request for information initiates informal con- sultation. The location and type of project and a map of the planning area for each project should be included with the letters to the FWS or NMFS, as appropriate. The FWS and NMFS are required to respond within 30 days of the receipt of such a request. If the FWS and NMFS as appropriate determine that no listed or proposed species are present in the study area, no further consultation with these agencies is required. Results of the informal consultation process should be presented in the RI/FS. RI/FS: A determination during informal consultation that an endangered/threatened species or critical habitat is present and may be impacted will necessitate preparation of a Biological Assessment (BA). The RI/FS workplan should provide for completion of endangered/threatened species assessment work plan during the preparation of the RI/FS. The intent of the BA is to examine any possible impacts of a proposed action upon the affected species or critical habitats in the project area. The BA, prepared following the format in Appendix B, should include: . interviews with wildlife experts; 2.3.2 ------- PROCEDURES FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES REVIEW UNDER CERCLA/SARA FIGURE 2-6 ____,.,_.. CERCLA/SARA PROJECT PHASE IRL YESJO- RI/FS REQUEST DETERMINATION FROM FWS I NHFS OF WHETHER THERE ARE FEDERAL ENDANGERED SPECIES IN THE STUDY AREA BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT (BAH PROJECT MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT LISTED SPECIES 1 PROJECT IS NOT LIKELY TO ADVERSELY AFFECT SPECIES INITIATE SECTION 7 FORMAL CONSULTATION W/ FWS & NMFS (BO) SUPPLY FWS t NMFS WITH BA AND DETERMINATION PROJECT IS LIKELY TO ADVERSELY AFFECT SPECIES 1 PROJECT IS NOT LIKELY TO ADVERSELY AFFECT SPECIES RESOLVE THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS WITH FWS, NMFS ROD RD/RA IMPLEMENT SPECIFIED, MITIGATION NO FURTHER ENDANGERED SPECIES REVIEW REQUIRED HMUim f UVMffC, ------- . a review of literature and field data to determine likely locations of critical habitat; . an on-site inspection of the total area affected (conducted in accordance with the site's Health and Safety Plan) to deter- mine the presence or absence of affected species and/or critical habitat; . an analysis of the likely effects of the proposed project on the species in terms of individuals (short-term impacts) and populations (long-term impact); . an analysis of alternative actions to protect the species; and . a description of the study methodology. Prior to the implementation of any of the tasks outlined above, it is recommended that the speci- fic scope of the BA be approved by the appropriate FWS or NMFS office(s). The BA must be completed within 180 days after the date on which initiated unless an extension is granted. Based upon the BA conclusions, EPA, in consultation with the FWS or NMFS, must determine what the next appropriate action is. If EPA determines the project is not likely to adversely affect any listed or proposed species, EPA will supply the appropriate area manager or regional director of the FWS or NMFS with that determination and the complet- ed BA. Unless FWS or NMFS disagrees with EPA's determination of no effect, EPA's responsibilities under Section 7 of the ESA have been met. . Results of the EPA's determi- nation of no effect and documentation of appropriate coordination must be presented in the RI/FS. If EPA anticipates that the project may adversely affect a listed or proposed spe- cies, EPA must request a biological opinion (BO) by initiating the formal consultation process with the appropriate regional of- fice(s) of FWS or NMFS. If a BO is required, no action can be approved until the formal consultation process is completed and docu- mented in an RI/FS. 2.3.3 ------- EPA initiates formal consultation by requesting a (BO) from the appropriate wildlife agency. The requests must include a copy of the BA with any information on the proposed project and project alternatives. The FWS or NMFS is required to render the BO within a 90 day period that can only be extended by mutual consent of the federal agencies involved. If the proposed action is not likely to jeopardize or adversely a'ffect the species or criticalhabitat.No further action is required and the proposed project can pro- ceed. It should be noted that this type of determination may include conservation measures that should be implemented. The results of the formal consultation must be included in the RI/FS. If the proposed action is likely to jeopard- ize or adversely affect an endangered/threat- ened species or critical habitat. In this case, the project must be stopped unless alternatives to avoid or mitigate any impact to the species or critical habitat can be found, or an exemption is granted by the Endangered Species Committee through formal consultation procedures. It should be noted that exemptions are extremely rare (to date only one has been granted nation- wide) and are intended only as a last resort. Issues of potential impact on species should be resolved through consulation and coordination with FWS or NMFS. For assistance in resolving these issues, the NEPA compliance staff should be consulted. ROD: The ROD should include a summary of EPA's activi- ties to ensure that impacts to endangered/threat- ened species and critical habitats are properly addressed and mitigated, and that the ESA con- sultation process was followed. RD/RA: Unavoidable project impacts to endangered/threat- ened species and critical habitats must be mitiga- ted during the implementation phase of the CERCLA/ SARA remedial action. 2.3.4 ------- 2.4 CULTURAL RESOURCES ------- 2.4 CULTURAL RESOURCES Under the National Historic Preservation Act\ federal agencies must take into account possible effects of t,heir actions o properties on or eligible for inclusion in the* National Regis of Historic Places (NRHP). The NRHP is a listing of buildings, archaeological sites, districts and objects of national, state or local significance. These properties are commonly referred to as cultural resources and the criteria of significance for their inclusion in the NRHP provides a conceptual framework for the I evaluation of these resources. 2.4.1 Legislative/Regulatory Framework (Potential ARARs) Historic Sites Act of 1935 (HSA) (16 USC 461 et seq) HSA authorizes the establishment of National Historic Sites and otherwise authorizes the preservation of properties of national historical or archaeological significance; the designation of National Historic Landmarks; criminal sanctions for violation of regulations pursuant to the HSA; interagency, inter- governmental, and interdisciplinary efforts for the preservation of historic and cultural properties; and other provisions. National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA), as mended, [16 USC 4707 The NHPA establishes a positive national policy for the preservation of the cultural environment, and sets forth a mandate for protection in Section 106. The purpose of Section 106 is to protect properties listed in or eligible for listing in the NRHP through review and comment by the Advisory Council on Historic Pre- servation (ACHP) of federal undertakings that affect such properties. Properties listed in the NRHP are declared eligible for listing by the Secretary of the Interior. Through Section 106 of the ACHP's regula- tions, a public interest process is- established in which the federal agency proposing an undertaking participates along with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO), the ACHP, interested organizations and individuals. The process is designed to ensure that properties, the impacts on them, and the effects to them are identified, and that alternatives to avoid or mitigate an adverse effect on property eligible for the NRHP are adequately considered in the planning process. 2.4.1 ------- Executive Order 11593 - "Protection of and Enhancement of the Cultural Environment" - May 13, 1971 Executive Order 11593 gives the Federal Government responsibility for stewardship of our Nation's historic and cultural properties by charging each federal agency with the task of identifying and nominating all histo- ric and cultural properties under i.s jurisdiction or control, and exercising caution to ensure Inat such properties are not inadvertently transferred, sold, demolished, or substantially altered. Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act of 1974 (AHPA) (16 USC 469 et s"eqT The AHPA amends the Reservoir Salvage Act of 1960 to extend its provisions beyond the construction of dams to any alteration of the terrain caused as a result of any federal construction project or federally-licensed activity or program. In addition, the AHPA provides a mechanism for funding the protection of historical and archaeological data. Presidential Memorandum - "Environmental Quality and Water Resources Management" - July 12, 1978 This memorandum directs the ACHP to publish final regulations implementing Section 106 of the NHPA, and further directs each agency with consultative responsi- bilities under the NHPA to publish procedures imple- menting those regulations. ACHP - Regulations for the Protection of Historic and Cultural Properties (36 CFR 800) These regulations establish procedures for the imple- mentation of Section 106 of the NHPA, and direct publication of agency implementing procedures. Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 (ARPA) (16 USC 470") The purpose of the ARPA is to provide protection for archaeological resources found on public lands and Indian lands of the United States. The ARPA provides this protection by prohibiting the removal of archaeo- logical resources on public lands and Indian lands without first obtaining a permit from the affected federal land managing agency or Indian tribe and by providing for civil and criminal penalties for those who remove or damage archaeological resources in violation of the ARPA. 2.4.2 ------- Department of the Interior (DPI) - Criteria for Inclu- ?ion in the National Register of Historic Places (36 CFR 60.4) These criteria are used to evaluate whether cultural resources will be eligible for inclusion on the NRHP. The evaluation is based upon the quality of signifi- can.e in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, and culture which is present in districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, association, and: . that are associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or . that are associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or . that embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or that represent the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; or . that have yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history. 2.4.2 Environmental Review Procedures Substantive compliance with cultural resource requirements means that cultural resources included on (or eligible for inclusion on) the NRHP that are located on or in close proximity to the site are identified. Also identified are the possible effects of proposed remedial activities on such resources. If the activity is likely to have an effect then feasible alternatives to avoid such effects must be examin- ed. If an effect cannot reasonably be avoided, then meas- ures shall be taken to minimize or mitigate the potential effects. Figure 2-7 outlines the cultural resources environmental review procedures as they apply to CERCLA/SARA. !.4.3 ------- PROCEDURES FOR CULTURAL RESOURCES REVIEW UNDER CERCLA / SARA FIGURE 2-7 CERCLA/SARA 111.!. ^ ^ ^-,Q ^ &«£"' . i nnr IRL OWsA-v RI/FS ROD RD/RA YE i *T rl_. i STAGE IA SURVEY i i STAGE IB SURVEY 1 F.-U Jlr\u 1 STAGE II SURVEY 1 » DETER NATIONAL 1 I YES 1 r EVALUATE 1 i UtlbKHINt Ih LULIUKAL KtbUUKLti JT^, SURVEY IS NECESSARY HJL 3 U-rir«->-y ftr&r« FURTHER INVESTIGATION Mn b j^siiwiK RECOMMENDED ? Q 1 1 d YES \ *| FURTHER INVESTIGATION 1 j-rpn J «^&a^w^ RECOMMENDED ? 1 1 a lYES <^""Mn \ 1^^-^^^ ^ , **V'KeJ~ Q,Y\C| £ 0-2>sJljjJ53uus^ MINE IF THERE IS Mn REGISTER ELIGIBILITY , ",. I^I^B^ IMPACTS - NO FURTHER DEVELOPMENT/IMPLEMENTATION CULTURAL RESOURCE OF MITIGATION . REVIEW NECESSARY ------- IRL: At this level of project definition, EPA will document the need for a cultural resource survey (CRS) and prepare a preliminary funding estimate. Additional information concerning the proposed project should be studied in determining the need for, and scope of, a CRS. This information should include, but not necessarily be limited to: the type and scope of activity under consi- deration; the nature and extent of the physical disrup- tion associated with the undertaking; the environmental characteristics of the planning area; the type of direct and indirect impacts anticipated in the planning area; the data gathered from a field inspection of the proposed planning area, including photo- documentation of any potential cultural resources that may be directly or indirectly impacted; and the recommendations of the SHPO and other appropriate state agencies, and state and local historic preservation groups. If a CRS is deemed to be necessary, the scope and work schedule should be incorporated into the work assignment contract to be made part of the RI/FS Work Plan. RI/FS: A CRS means the category of activities necessary to identify cultural resources within the project area and, where necessary, to develop the informa- tion required to apply the NRHP's criteria for inclusion. The objective of the CRS is to develop adequate information to make the substantive determinations required by the NHPA. The CRS is carried out in a staged fashion appropriate to the focus of the investigation. The RI/FS workplan should include, as appropriate, the scope for Stage I (A&B) Site Recognition Survey and if an additional survey (Stage II) is necessary, it should be carried out before the completion of the RI/FS. The Stage II survey results will provide EPA with sufficient information to determine both the potential impacts and the need for mitigation. The data from the CRS will be incorporated into the RI/FS environmental analysis and the reports will be appended to the document. 2.4.4 ------- Stage I Survey: Site Recognition The Stage I survey is designed to determine the presence or absence of cultural resources in the project's potential impact area. The Stage I survey should be conducted early during the planning activities for each project. This allows the information derived from this survey to be used in developing and screening al:ernatives to minimize direct and indirect impacts on hi-tjric and archaeological properties. For the purpose of this survey, the study area is the planning area of the proposed project. To facilitate planning, the Stage I survey is divided into two logically progressive units of study: Stage IA; Literature Search and Sensitivity Study The Stage IA is the initial level of survey and requires comprehensive documentary research designed to identify any known or potential historical, architectural, and/or archaeological resources within a project area. A primary objective of the study is to evaluate the differential sensitivity of the project area for the presence of cultural resources; this information will be used to guide the field investigation that follows (Stage IB). In carrying out the literature search, sources at the SHPO, universities, local libraries, museums, historical socie- ties, etc., are consulted. In addition, the nature and extent of the proposed project is evaluated, an initial walk-over reconnais- sance and surface inspection is completed, and the effect of prior ground disturbance on the probability of identifying cultural resources is assessed. The final report should focus on the project area and minimally include: a brief project description; a description of the environ- mental setting as it pertains to actual or potential cultural resource locations; a synthesis of prehistoric and historic cultu- ral development and land use patterns; and a definition of sensitivity zones with explicit criteria for ranking. This report must include information about identified sites within, or in close proximity to, the project area. This information must include all properties that are eligible, listed, or being considered for inclusion in the NRHP. Areas where substantial land modification is 2.4.5 ------- evident should be clearly identified. It is also appropriate to include materials (e.g., maps, photos, soil boring logs) which support conclusions presented in the text. Further, the Stage IA report will contain recommenda- tions for any subsequent Stage IB survey process. Stage IB; Field Investigation -- Subsurface testing is the major component of this level of survey and is required unless the presence or absence of resources can be determined by direct observation or by examination of specific documented references. The areas to be subjected to a survey are selected on the basis of the proposed remedial actions. Although detailed evaluation of specific resources is not carried out at this level, it is necessary to record and describe the sites as fully as possible to aid in the formulation of recommendations for avoidance or further evaluation. The location of identified resources with respect to areas of impact of the proposed project must be determined carefully. The Stage IB report presents the results of the field investigation, including: a description of the survey design and methodo- logy (based on results of the Stage IA); complete records of soil stratigraphy; and an artifact catalogue including identification, estimated date range, and quantity or weight, as appropriate. The locations of all field test units must be accurately plotted on a project area map, with locations of identi- fied resources clearly defined. Photographs which illustrate salient points of the survey are a necessary component of the final report. Detailed recommendations and support- ing rationale for any additional investiga- tion must be incorporated into the conclu- sions of the Stage IB report. If all cultural resources identified through the Stage IA and/or Stage IB surveys will not be impacted by the proposed project, the survey process is complete. If cultural resources identified by these studies are within the pro- posed impact area, further evaluation may be required to determine the potential eligibility of the resource for inclusion in the NRHP. The extent of additional cultural resource study may be reduced by project modifications which avoid or minimize potential impacts. 2.4.6 ------- Stage II Survey: Site Definition and Evaluation The Stage II survey is a detailed evaluation of identified cultural resources that may be affected by the remedial alternatives being considered. Research is carried out on each identified re- source to provide adequate data to allow a deter- mination of the resource's eligibility for listing in the NRHP. The Stage II report should include, at a minimum, information on boundaries, integrity and significance of the resources, and evaluation of the impact of the proposed project, as well as any additional data necessary to evaluate eligibi- lity for the NRHP. The Stage II survey results will provide EPA with sufficient information to determine both impacts and the need for mitigation. The data from the CRS should be incorporated into the RI/FS environ- mental analysis and the reports should be appended to the document. Determination of Eligibility When a cultural resource appears to meet the criteria for listing on the NRHP, EPA in consulta- tion with SHPO will apply the criteria for inclu- sion to the resource. EPA will prepare appro- priate documentation according to DOI guidelines for eligibility. As part of the documentation, EPA will solicit a written opinion from the SHPO concerning the resource's eligibility. If both the EPA and SHPO agree on eligibility, EPA will transmit the documentation to the Keeper of the National Register. If a question exists or EPA and SHPO cannot agree on eligibility, the docu- mentation will be forwarded to the Keeper for a determination. Impact Evaluation After the appropriate CRS studies have been accomplished, one of the following determinations of the effect of the proposed remedial activities on all NRHP listed and eligible resources identi- fied in the project area shall be made by EPA in consultation with the SHPO. An effect occurs when an undertaking changes the integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling or association of a cultural resource eligible for listing. Both direct and indirect effects shall be considered. 2.4.7 ------- Determination of no effect -- This determina- tion shall be made in consultation with the SHPO. Both direct and indirect effects shall be considered. If EPA in consultation with the SHPO determines that there shall be no effect, then no further review is necessary. Determination of no adverse erFect If there will be an effect on a resource wnich is listed or eligible for listing on the NRHP, EPA in consultation with the SHPO, shall determine the nature of the effect by applying the "Criteria of Adverse Effect" (see next section). If a determination of no adverse effect is made, EPA shall prepare adequate documentation for this determination for submittal to the ACHP. Effects of an undertaking that would other- wise be found to be adverse may be considered to be not adverse when both the nature of the impactTslimited and appropriate data recovery is implemented. For example, a data recovery program may be applied to an archaeo- logical site whose primary significance lies in its ability to yield information important to history or prehistory. This data recovery can take the form of preserving the signifi- cant information by professional excavation, reporting and curation of archaeological materials. If the ACHP concurs or does not object within 30 calendar days of the submis- sion, data recovery may proceed. Determination of adverse effect -- An adverse effect is an alteration to a NRHP or eligible property which detracts from those characte- ristics of that resource by which it was determined eligible. The criteria of adverse effect (36 CFR 800.9(b)) include, but are not limited to the following: destruction or alteration of part or all of the property; isolation from or alteration of the property's surrounding environment; introduction of elements which are out of character with the resource or alter its setting; neglect of a resource which results in its deterioration; and 2.4.8 ------- transfer or sale of a property without adequate conditions regarding preserva- tion maintenance or use. If it is determined that a remedial activity has the potential to adversely affect a NRHP or eligible resource or if the ACHP objects to a determination of no adverse effect, the EPA shall prepare the required documentation (36 CFR 800.8). This documentation will contain the proposals to avoid or mitigate the adverse effects of a project upon a NRHP or eligible resource and shall be submitted to the ACHP. The ACHP will consult with EPA, the SHPO, and other interested parties in examining all feasible alternatives which would avoid adverse effects on NRHP or eligible resources. Generally, the formal consultation should result in a resolution of any adverse ef- fects. When agreement is reached regarding an action or an alternative, the ACHP will prepare a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) reflecting such concurrence. EPA shall not take or authorize any action having an adverse effect on such cultural resources until all reasonable alternatives have been examined and the ACHP has accepted a MOA or has commented on the EPA's report. Mitigation - Where EPA determines that the alterna- tive to avoid an effect on a NRHP or eligible resource is not feasible, measures to minimize the potential effects shall be developed in consulta- tion with the SHPO, the ACHP and, where appro- priate, other parties. Mitigation may take the form of avoidance through cost-effective redesign, reduction of the direct impact on the resource, and/or data recovery prior to construction. Should the effects be adverse, this mitigation plan, outlining these measures, shall be included in an MOA signed by the consulting parties. The mitigation plan shall be based on engineering, environmental, economic, and resource preservation concerns. Mitigation shall be commensurate with the nature and importance of the cultural proper- ties and the extent to which they are affected by the project. 2.4.9 ------- ROD: The ROD should include a summary of EPA's activities to ensure that impacts to cultural resources are properly addressed and mitigated, and that the ACHP's consultation process was followed. RD/RA: The remedial design process should provide for the scheduling and funding of the development and implementation of a cultural resources mitigation plan. EPA will be responsible for obtaining final SHPO and ACHP approval of any mitigation plan that involves alteration or destruction of identified NRHP properties. In general, it will be advant- ageous to complete on-site data recovery activi- ties prior to construction; however, provisions may occasionally be necessary to schedule such work to occur during construction. 2.4.10 ------- Z5 WILD & SCENIC RIVERS ------- 3.1 INTRODUCTION In addition to establishing liability for the cost of cleaning up hazardous waste sites, CERCLA/SARA also establishes liability for "damages for injury to, destruction of, or loss of natural resources, including the reasonable costs of assessing such injury, destruction, or loss" (Section 107(a)(c)). Under CERCLA/ SARA, natural resources are defined -s "land, fish, wildlife, biota, air, water, ground water, drinking w-Ldr supplies, and other such resources". CERCLA/SARA requires the President to designate federal trustees (i.e., selected federal agencies) to act "on behalf of the public". Similarly, States are also required to designate an official to represent the interests of the public for those natural resources under State trusteeship. Through executive orders and the NCR, the President has designated the federal agencies who will act as trustees for those resources under federal jurisdiction (see Table 3-1). Because natural resources fall under many jurisdictions, there may be federal, state, local, and foreign government or Indian tribes as trustees. If the trustee determines there is a threat to natural resources under their trusteeship, it is the responsibility of the trustee to conduct a natural resources damage assessment (NRDA) document- ing those injuries. In order for a trustee to conduct an NRDA, they must have access to all the pertinent information related to contamination and the site and the proposed remedial actions. The trustee may not make a claim for damages until a remedial action has been selected. The federal natural resource trustees are constrained by CERCLA/SARA and may not grant a release unless "the potentially responsible party agrees to undertake appro- priate actions necessary to protect and restore the natural resources damaged" (Section 122(j)(2)). The NRDA regulations are found in 43 CFR II. Theoretically, Superfund can be used to pay for natural resource damages (section III(b)). However, the funding provision (Super- fund Revenue Act of 1986) effectively prohibits such use of the fund. Although it is true that the EPA is not responsible for conduc- tion the NRDA and recovering the claim for natural resource damages, the EPA can and should provide the data necessary for the trustees to perform these responsibilities. In fact, because the RI/FS must address impacts to the public health and the environment, and natural resources by definition are part of the environment, the EPA is required to address natural resource issues in its RI/FS. Accordingly, coordination between EPA and the trustees must take place throughout the RI/FS process to enable the trustees and EPA to meet their statutory responsibili- ties. 3.1 ------- 3.2 EPA ACTIONS As stated in Section 3.1, EPA is not responsible for conducting the NRDA; however, much of the data that the trustees need to perform its responsibilities is developed during the RI/FS. Specifically, CERCLA/SARA requires the EPA to: notify trustees of potential damages to natural resources resulting from releases under investigation; coordinate EPA's assessments, investigations and planning with trustees; and notify and encourage trustees to participate in negotiations of settlements at sites where there is the potential for damages to natural resources. In order to properly notify the respective trustees, EPA must determine which ones may be responsible for natural resources in the vicinity of a specific site (see Table 3-1). When the appropriate trustees are identified, they should be formally notified about the major phases of EPA activities for the CERCLA/ SARA remedial action process. The trustees must be notified (see Notification Form in Appendix 6-1) of: potential damages to natural resources from a release or threatened release of hazardous substances (Section 104(b)); and initiation of formal negotiations with responsible parties (Section 122(j)). Following notification of trustees, EPA should coordinate with them throughout the CERCLA/SARA remedial action process to ensure that the concerns of the trustees are addressed. Although coordination can be informal, it is recommended that it be conducted formally for major decision points. Although many of the procedures that are followed to ensure compliance with other environmental statutes are similar to the procedures for coordination with the trustees, the procedures cannot substitute for natural resource trustee coordination. Similarly, coordination with the trustees cannot substitute for EPA's activities to ensure compliance with the environmental statutes. Trustees often assume other roles which result in coordination with EPA. For example, the DOI has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with EPA providing for the conduct of preliminary natural resource surveys (PNRSs) for enforcement sites (see Appendix G-2). The primary purpose of the MOU is to ensure timely requests from EPA and timely responses from DOI so that a determination can be made whether or not to grant a 3.2 ------- release from claims for damages to natural resources as part of a settlement agreement with responsible parties at NPL sites. By mutual agreement, a list of specific sites will be developed for which DOI will conduct these PNRSs. EPA will, upon request, provide DOI's regional environmental officers with information and assistance on preliminary surveys, including all relevant technical documents, draft and final endangerment assessments, RI/FSs, anc! remedial designs for sites on which a PNRS is to be prepared. In addition, a technical advisory group on biological resource concerns has been established in Region II (the Bioassessment Work Group). This group is available to provide advice concern- ing potential impacts on biological resources at the request of RPMs. 3.3 TRUSTEE ACTIONS The following is a brief synopsis of the NRDA process as present- ed in the August 1, 1986 NRDA regulations (Final Rule). It is intended to foster EPA's understanding of the NRDA process and to shed light on the trustees data needs for conducting NRDSs. Preassessment Screen - The NRDA process begins with a Preassess- ment Screen to determine whether the hazardous substance release justifies a NRDA. This screen is viewed as a "desk top" review of existing data with a minimal amount of field work and should only take a few days for the trustee(s) to complete. A determination is required upon completion of this screen. The decision to proceed beyond this screen must be based upon preli- minary findings that: the discharge or release was covered by CERCLA/SARA, it could have resulted in some injury to the re- source, the resource potentially injured and the extent of poten- tial injury are of concern to the trustee, and the trustee has reason to believe that the potential benefits outweigh the potential costs of performing an assessment. If the preassessment screen results in a determination that a NRDA is appropriate, the next phase is to prepare an Assessment Plan. However, if the preassessment screen results in a determi- nation that a NRDA is not appropriate, no further assessment actions are to be taken. Assessment Plan - An Assessment Plan must be prepared for any remedial action requiring a NRDA. The plan should include documentation of all decisions made regarding the selection of the methodology to be used for the NRDA. Methodologies are discussed in subparts D and E of the Final Rule. The cost methodology used may be an estimation of restoration/replacement costs or diminution in use values. The Plan should ensure that the costs incurred in conducting the NRDA are reasonable and that 3.3 ------- TABLE 3-1 NATURAL RESOURCE TRUSTEESHIPS FOR EPA REGION 2 Department of the Interior 0 Fish and Wildlife Service - Migratory birds - Anadromous fish - Endangered/threatened Species - Critical habitats - National wildlife refuges - National fish hatcheries 0 National Park Service All units of the national park system, including but not limited to: - National parks - National seashores - National recreation areas - National historic sites - National battlefields - National scenic and recreational rivers Department of Commerce - Coastal environments and habitats - Habitats (rivers and tributaries) of anadromous and catadromous fish - Endangered/threatened species - Tidal wetlands - Marine sanctuaries - Commercial and recreational marine fishery resources Department of Agriculture - National forests Department of Defense - Department of Defense installations Department of Energy - Department of Energy installations States The responsibilities of the states are state specific to be decided by each state Governor. Similarly, the Governor also designates the appropriate state agency to act as the Trustee. Contact should be made with the respective state environmental department or attorney general's office for the. information regarding trustee designations and responsibilities. Indian Tribes - Tribal lands Note: Some of the natural resources are under co-trusteeships and activities must be coordinated accordingly. For example, both DOI and DOC have trustee responsibilities for certain endangered/threatened species. 3.4 ------- the Assessment is conducted in a cost-effective manner. The trustee should refer to the definitions stated in the Final Rule for "reasonable costs" and "cost-effectiveness" when preparing the Assessment Plan. A confirmation of exposure must be conducted as part of the Assessment Plan phase of this process. The confirmation of exposure is the second sr-een in the assessment process. It is intended to ensure that the trus*^ has confirmed that the oil or hazardous substance has actually come into contact with the re- source. If the trustee cannot confirm that the oil or hazardous substance has actually come into contact with the resource, no further assessment actions are taken. Injury Determination - An injury determination must be made as the third screen of the NRDA process. To assert a natural resource damage claim, the trustee must establish that an injury occurred and must link that injury to the discharge or release. Otherwise, no further assessment actions are to be taken and no assessment costs will be recovered. In addition to satisfying the injury determination, the pathway of the discharged or released substance from the source to the resource must be demonstrated. For example, biological resources can carry the substance away from the site by either direct physical contact or by exposing other organisms through the food chain. Oil or hazardous substances contained in ground water resources may move to a lake or stream, thereby exposing biolo- gical resources. The use of transport and fate modeling in media such as air or water may be useful in many situations for demon- strating the pathway. In other situations, sampling may be required. The Final Rule provides guidance o.n selecting, testing and sampling methodologies for injury and pathway determinations. EPA should coordinate its RI/FS with the trustee regarding the injury and pathway determination as the required investigations will be useful for both the RI/FS and NRDA. Review of the Assessment Plan - Upon completion of the Injury Determination phase, the trustee must review the methodologies selected in the Assessment Plan. This step allows the trustee to refine the restoration or replacement alternatives and cost estimates initially identified in the Assessment Plan phase in order to select a cost-effective, feasible restoration or re- placement alternative for comparison with diminution of use. The distinction between restoration and replacement alternatives will, in most cases, depend on the nature of the lost or dis- rupted services previously provided by the resource. 3.5 ------- Termination of Assessment or Selection of Further Methods - If an injury, as defined in the Final Rule, cannot be determined or confirmed or cannot be linked to the discharge or release, further assessment efforts should be terminated and the results of the Injury Determination phase documented in the Assessment Plan. If an injury determination has been made, methodologies for the next two steps must be selected that are consistent with the findings of the Injury C-etermi nation. If the decision was ;';jt previously made, the trustee must decide whether restoration or replacement costs or a diminution of use values will form the basis of the damage determination. The Final Rule provides that when significant modifications occur to the Assessment Plan, these modifications shall be made available for public review and comment. Quantification of Effects - Having established that the resource was injured by the discharge or release, the next step in the NRDA process is to quantify the effects on the injured resource. Because the purpose of the NRDA is to determine compensation for injuries rather than a decision on the level of cleanup, this step requires ascertaining the baseline level of the services provided by the resource prior to the discharge or release. The baseline level of services is then compared to the existing level of services, or the anticipated level of services upon the completion of any response actions, to determine the residual change resulting from the discharge or release. Services include such ecological services as flood and erosion control, habitat, and food chains as well as such human uses as recreation. Again, coordination between EPA and the trustee at this phase in the process will be useful for both the RI/FS and NRDA. Damage Determination - The next step of the process is applying the method of estimating the damages, using the costs of restora- tion/replacement or the diminution of use values that were determined in the Assessment Plan. It is important to distin- guish "damages" from "injuries" in the NRDA process. Injuries are situations of harm to natural resources, and damages are financial compensations made to the trustees of these natural resources for such harm. The final rule provides guidance on applying these methods. Report of Assessment - At the conclusion of either a Type A or a Type B assessment, the trustee must document the results of the process in a Report of Assessment. This documentation includes the Preassessment Screen Determination and the Assessment Plan, with all comments and responses. This document must be filed as the Report of Assessment with a court or an administrative body in case further legal action is necessary. 3.6 ------- Post-Assessment - The final step of the NRDA process involves the establishment of an account into which all monies awarded pur- suant to section 107 of CERCLA/ SARA for compensation for injur- ies must be placed. SARA requires that funds recovered for injuries must be retained by the trustee only for restoration, rehabilitation, replacement, or the acquisition of the equivalent of the injured resource. 3.7 ------- 2.5 WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS Wild and scenic rivers are defined by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act as "selected rivers in the Nation which, with their immediate environments, possess outstandingly remarkable scenic, recrea- tional, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural or other similar values". 2.5.1 Legislative/Regulatory Framework (Potential /^'..is) Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 (WSRA) (16 USC 1274) The WSRA which is jointly administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and DOI establishes a system of classification of rivers as wild scenic, or recreational. Rivers are proposed for protection and are added to a national inventory by state or federal legislation by approval of the Secretary of Interior. The inventory focuses on those rivers nominated by government agencies, private groups and/or individuals, which are significant for their recreational, cultural and natural values. Each of these rivers must meet the criteria of the WSRA, which specifies that an eligible river must: be five miles or more in length; be a free-flowing river or stream (rivers may have undergone some impoundment or diversion in the past); be generally undeveloped (river may be developed for the full range of agricultural uses and can include small communities as well as dispersed or cluster residential housing); may be accessible by road or railroad or be largely undeveloped; and be adjacent to or within a related land area that possesses an outstandingly remarkable geologic, cultural, historic, scenic, botanical, recreation- al or other similar value (interpreted to mean an area of multistate or national significance). It should be noted that rivers in the inventory fall into three (3) categories (i.e., listed, under study, and eligible). Under the WRSA the categories are afforded different levels of protection. 2.5.1 ------- Under the WRSA, federal actions on water resources projects are prohibited if they result in a direct adverse effect on those characteristics which results in the river's classification. For the purposes of the WSRA, water resources projects are defined as any project (or action) that could affect the free-flowing characteristics of the particular river (e.g., place- ment of riprap, dredge/fill operations, wastewater discharges, etc.). Additionally, the DOT has deter- mined that actions within one-quarter mile or within the visual field of the river could have a direct impact. Presidential Environmental Message - August 2, 1979 This message extends the requirements of the WSRA by directing federal agencies to avoid or mitigate any adverse impacts on rivers identified in the inventory. In effect, this message affords equal protection to rivers in the inventory, regardless of their specific category. 2.5.2 Environmental Review Procedures Figure 2-8 outlines the environmental review procedures for wild and scenic rivers as they apply to CERCLA/SARA. IRL: As early as possible in the planning process, EPA should determine if there are any wild and scenic rivers on the national inventory in the project area (see Appendix C). .If no such rivers are present in the project area, the analysis is complete. RI/FS: If the project area contains a wild and scenic river in the inventory, it must be determined whether the CERCLA/SARA remedial action alterna- tives will impact the river. The RI/FS workplan should provide for completion of wild and scenic river assessment work during the preparation of the RI/FS. In particular, the impacts on the specific quali- ties of the river as well as possible mitigating measures should be evaluated and presented in the project's RI/FS. If any alternative plan under consideration will result in conditions inconsistent with the charac- ter of the designated segment, it must be elimi- nated from consideration as unacceptable. It must be noted that the classification of the particular 2.5.2 ------- PROCEDURES FOR WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS REVIEW UNDER CERCLA/SARA FIGURE 2-8 CERCLA/SARA PROJECT PHASE IRL RI/FS DETERMINE IF PROPOSED ACTION MAY IMPACT ANY WILD. SCENIC OR RECREATIONAL RIVER AREA DETERMINE IF PROPOSED ACTION INVOLVES WATER RESOURCES ACTIONS YES EVALUATE PRIMARY IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROJECT DETERMINE IF PROPOSED ACTION WILL RESULT IN CONDITIONS CONSISTENT WITH THE CHARACTER OF THE RIVER NO I ROD RD/RA MITIGATE OR MODIFY THE PROJECT 1 i DEVELOPMENT/IMPLEMENTATION OF MITIGATION NO FURTHER WILD & SCENIC RIVERS REVIEW REQUIRED inc. ------- river has a bearing on what is considered an acceptable impact. For example, any alteration of a wild river is unacceptable although some impacts upon recreational rivers are permitted. Further, consultation with the USDA or DOI is recommended to ensure that impacts to wild and scenic rivers are adequately assessed and mitigated. ROD: The ROD should include a summary of EPA's activi- ties to ensure that impacts to wild and scenic rivers are properly addressed and mitigated or the project is modified. RD/RA: Unavoidable project impacts on wild and scenic rivers and conditions inconsistent with a desig- nated segment must be mitigated during the imple- mentation phase of the CERCLA/SARA remedial action. 2.5.3 ------- 2.6 COASTAL ZONES ------- 2.6 COASTAL ZONES Coastal zones as defined by the Coastal Zone Management Act are "the coastal waters (including the lands therein and thereunder) and the adjacent shorelands (including the waters therein and thereunder), strongly influenced by each other and in proximity to the shorelines of the several coastal states, and includes islands- transitional and interti'lal areas, salt marshes, wet- lands, and beaches". 2.6.1 Legislative/Regulatory Framework (Potential ARARs) Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) (16 USC 1451) The CZMA states that a federal agency conducting work that will affect a designated coastal zone shall do so in a manner that is, to the maximum extent practicable, consistent with approved state coastal zone management programs. The CZMA encourages each coastal state to develop a coastal zone management plan which provides for "increased specificity in protecting significant natural resources, reasonable coastal-dependent econo- mic growth, improved protection of life and property in hazardous areas, and improved predictability in govern- mental decision-making" (section 303(3)). To date, twenty eight (28) of the thirty five (35) coastal states have approved such plans, including New Jersey, New York, Puerto. Rico, and the Virgin Islands. In effect, these plans regulate land and water use speci- fically for the coastal zones. Federal agencies may not approve proposed projects which are judged to be inconsistent with a state's approved management plan, unless this judgement is overridden by the Secretary of Commerce, who has principal authority over the federal coastal zone management program. The procedures for ensuring that federal projects are consistent with approved coastal zone management plans are addressed in the following sections of the CZMA. Sections 307(c)(l) and (2) address projects which do not require permits or licenses. For these projects, the lead federal agency makes the determination of consistency. Most CERCLA/SARA actions fall into this category. Section 307(c)(3) addresses projects which do require permits or licenses. For these projects, the appropriate state coastal zone management program authority makes the determination. The certification of consistency must be presented in the permit or license applications. 2.6.1 ------- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - Regulations on Federal Consistency with Approved Coastal Management Programs (15 CFR 930) These regulations describe the obligations of all agencies and other parties involved who are required to comply with the provisions of the CZMA and implementa- tion of federal consistency provisions. The regula- v tions also provide several procedural processes involv- ing coordination of consistency decisions with coastal management programs, Secretarial review of federal license or permit activities, and notification and reporting of inconsistencies. Procedures for perform- ance review of state implementation and federal con- sistency provisions are also included. 1.6.2 Environmental Review Procedures Figure 2-9 outlines the environmental review procedures for coastal zones as they apply to CERCLA/SARA. IRL: As early as possible during the planning process, EPA should consult with the state office of coastal zone management (or equivalent) in order to determine whether or not the proposed CERCLA/ SARA action affects a coastal zone for which an approved management plan exists. If not, no further analysis for coastal zone consistency is required. RI/FS: If the proposed action affects a coastal zone, EPA shall assess the impact of the proposed action and each alternative to the proposed action on the coastal zone. The RI/FS workplan should provide for completion of coastal zone assessment work during the preparation of the RI/FS. The great majority of CERCLA/SARA projects will not require a consistency determination by the state coastal zone management office because specific permits or licenses will not be required. In these cases, EPA will make a determination of consistency with the approved state coastal zone management plan. However, if the proposed action may affect the coastal zone for which there is an approved management plan and the project requires permits or licenses, then EPA must seek a consistency determination (i.e., a certification of the action's consistency with the approved management plan) from the state coastal zone management 2.6.2 ------- PROCEDURES FOR COASTAL ZONE REVIEW UNDER CERCLA / SARA FIGURE 2-9 CERCLA/SARA PROJECT PHASE IRL RI/FS DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THE PROPOSED ACTION MAY DIRFCTLY AFFECT A COASTAL ZONE NO DETERMINE WHETHER PERMITS OR LICENSES WILL BE REQUIRED I T EPA MAKES CONSISTENCY DETERMINATION UNDER 301 (cl(l) OR (21 EPA SEEKS CONSISTENCY DETERMINATION WITH APPROVED STATE COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT PLAN UNDER 301 (c)(3l T INCONSISTENT DETERMINE WHETHER CONSISTENT OR INCONSISTENT CONSISTENT MITIGATE OR MODIFY THE PROJECT ROD RD/RA DEVELOPMENT/IMPLEMENTATION OF MITIGATION NO FURTHER COASTAL ZONE REVIEW REQUIRED IUWtK.|MHIP IVC. ------- office or equivalent. This consistency determina- tion must be sought in accordance with procedures promulgated by NOAA in 15 CFR 930. If the CERCLA/SARA action is judged to be incon- sistent with the management plan by either EPA or the state coastal zone management office, EPA may not approve or fund the action unless the project can be modified or its impacts properly mitigated to ensure consistency. Results of the consistency determination made by the EPA or state coastal zone management office should be documented and presented in the RI/FS. ROD: The ROD should include a summary of EPA's activi- ties to ensure that impacts to the coastal zone are properly assessed and mitigated as well as an appropriate statement of consistency with the coastal zone management plan. RD/RA: Unavoidable project impacts on coastal zones should be mitigated during the implementation phase of the CERCLA/SARA remedial action. 2.6.3 ------- 2.7 COASTAL BARRIERS ------- 2.7 COASTAL BARRIERS Coastal barriers are long, narrow landforms made of sand which protect other coastal features from the open ocean. 2.7.1 Legislative/Regulatory Framework (Potential ARARs) Coastal Barrier Resource Act of 1982 (CBRA) (16 USC 3501) The CBRA recognizes the importance of the coastal barriers along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and the adjacent wet- lands, marshes, estuaries, inlets, and nearshore waters. It established the Coastal Barriers Resources System consisting of the undeveloped coastal barriers along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. In addition, it estab- lished certain limitations on federal expenditures affecting the system. DOI/FWS - Coastal Barrier Act Advisory Guidelines - October 6. 1983 FWS issued Advisory Guidelines to provide background oh what the CBRA requires of projects that may affect these re- sources. The guidance specifies the requirement for coordi- nation with the FWS if a project is supported by federal funds and affects coastal barriers. 2.7.2 Environmental Review Procedures Figure 2-10 outlines the environmental review procedures for coastal barriers as they apply to CERCLA/SARA. IRL: At the outset of the CERCLA/SARA process, EPA should determine whether or not the project may affect a designated coastal barrier resource area. (see Appendix D). RI/FS: If the CERCLA/SARA action may affect a designated coastal barrier, EPA must notify and consult with the FWS. The report and recommendations of this consultation should be documented in the RI/FS. The RI/FS workplan should provide for completion of coastal barrier assessment work during the preparation of the RI/FS. The RI/FS must also evaluate the impacts of the proposed remedial action and alternatives on the coastal barrier. Impacts must be avoided or mitigated to the maximum extent practicable. ROD: The ROD should include a summary of EPA's activi- ties to ensure that impacts to coastal barriers are properly assessed and mitigated as well as the results of consultation with FWS. 2.7.1 ------- PROCEDURES FOR COASTAL BARRIER REVIEW UNDER CERCLA / SARA FIGURE 2-10 CERCLA/SARA PROJECT PHASE IRL RI/FS DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THE PROPOSED ACTION MAY AFFECT A COASIAL BARRIER CONSULT WITH FWS EVALUATE IMPACT OF PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES ON THE COASTAL BARRIER MITIGATE OR MODIFY THE PROJECT ROD RD/RA DEVELOPMENT/IMPLEMENTATION OF MITIGATION NO FURTHER COASTAL BARRIER REVIEW REQUIRED nMUIRE IUHIP INC. ------- RD/RA: Unavoidable impacts to coastal barriers must be mitigated during the implementation phase of the CF.RCLA/SARA remedial action. 2.7.2 ------- 2.8 WILDERNESS AREAS ------- 2.8 WILDERNESS AREAS A wilderness area is defined by th'e Wilderness Act as "an area of undeveloped federal land retaining its primeval character and influence, without permanent improvements or human habitation, which is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural conditions...". Wilderness areas (1) are substantially unaf- fected by human activities, (2) have outstanding opportunities for solitude, (3) generally are at least 5,000 acres in are- *nd (4) generally have features of ecological, geological, scienti- fic, educational, scenic or historic value. 2.8.1 Legislative/Regulatory Framework (Potential ARARs) Wilderness Act (WA) of 1964 16 USC 1131-1132 The WA establishes the national system of wilderness areas including a policy for protecting and managing these areas. The USDA and DOT are directed by the WA to recommend appropriate wilderness areas to the President. The WA prohibits certain activities within wilderness areas. Permanent or temporary roads, commercial enterprise and structures or installations are prohi- bited, except as necessary to properly administer the area and protect public health and safety. The use of motorized vehicles or motorized equipment is also prohibited except as noted. The WA establishes restrictions on mining activities in wilderness areas, but allows the President to authorize prospecting for certain studies or actions that are beneficial to the public interest. States or private individuals owning land surrounded by a wilderness area are given either the rights necessary to provide access to their land or the right to exchange the land for comparable federal land in the same state. 2.8.2 Environmental Review Procedures Figure 2-11 outlines the environmental review procedures for wilderness areas as they apply to CERCLA/SARA. IRL: At the outset of the CERCLA/SARA process, EPA should determine whether or not the project may affect a designated wilderness area (see Appendix 2.8.1 ------- PROCEDURES FOR WILDERNESS AREA REVIEW UNDER CERCLA/SARA FIGURE 2-11 CERCLA/SARA PROJECT PHASE IRL RI/FS ROD YES RD/RA DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THE PROPOSED ACTION MAY AFFECT A WILDERNESS AREA CONSULT WITH DOI OR USDA EVALUATE IMPACT OF PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES ON THE WILDERNESS AREA MITIGATE OR MODIFY THE PROJECT DEVELOPMENT/IMPLEMENTATION OF MITIGATION NO FURTHER WILDERNESS AREA REVIEW REQUIRED NMUiaC SROUP IKG ------- RI/FS: If the CERCLA/SARA action may affect a wilderness area, EPA should consult with the appropriate agency that has jurisdiction over the area. These contacts (see Appendix H) will be helpful in determining the most appropriate means of minimiz- ing adverse impacts on the wilderness area. In developing the proposed remedial action, EPA should consider its impact on the wilderness area. The RI/FS workplan should provide for completion of wilderness area assessment work during the preparation of the RI/FS. The construction of permanent roads and structures should be avoided to the extent practicable and the use of motorized equipment should be minimized to the extent practicable. Coordination with the appropriate DOI or USDA office will help determine the most appropriate means of remediation with regard to the wilderness area restrictions. ROD: The ROD should include a summary of EPA's activi- ties to ensure that impacts to wilderness areas are properly assessed and mitigated. RD/RA: EPA should ensure that unavoidable impacts to a wilderness area, including the use of otherwise restricted roads, structures, or equipment, are mitigated during the implementation phase of the CERCLA/SARA remedial action. > p ? . . C . £. ------- 2.9 SIGNIFICANT AGRICULTURAL LANDS ------- 2.9 SIGNIFICANT AGRICULTURAL LANDS Significant agricultural lands are defined by the USDA as "land that has the best combination of physical and chemical character- istics for producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops, and is also available for these uses (the land could be cropland, pastureland, rangeland, forest land, or other land, but not developed land or land under water) It has the soil quali- ty, growing season, and moisture supply needed to economically produce sustained high yields of crops when treated and managed". The land need not be actively farmed to be considered significant agricultural lands. 2.9.1 Legislative/Regulatory Framework (Potential ARARs) USDA - Secretary's Memorandum No. 1827. Supplement 1, Statement of Prime Farmland, Range, and Forest Land~ June 21, 19~75 This memorandum outlines USDA's concern for the conver- sion of prime agricultural lands to other irretrievable uses and sets forth six policy recommendations to guide the agency's actions. These policies place the USDA in an advocacy position concerning preservation of prime farmland; make the agency responsible for assuring that EISs (or functionally equivalent documents) and reviews adequately address the issue of prime farmlands; and place emphasis on both cooperative programs and agency programs to increase concern and interest for the retention of prime farmlands. EPA - Statement of Policy to Protect Environmentally Significant Agricultural Lands - September 8, 1978. This statement presents EPA's policy "to protect the nation's 'environmentally significant' agricultural lands from irreversible conversion to uses which result in its loss as an environmental or essential food production resource". The policy lists three (3) specific directives for EPA action. 1. Consider impacts on agricultural land during the process of developing new or revised EPA regula- tions, standards, or guidance. 2.9.1 ------- 2. Evaluate and mitigate direct and indirect impacts on agricultural lands during the preparation and review of EAs and EISs (or functionally equivalent documents). 3. Consider the regional or local significance and economic value of farmlands to communities in EPA enforcement actions. arm!and Protection Policy Act of 1981 (FPPA) (7 201 et seq) The purpose of the FPPA is to minimize the extent to which federal programs contribute to the unnecessary and irreversible conversion of farmland to non-agricul- tural uses, and to assure that federal programs are administered in a manner that, to the extent practic- able, will be compatible with state and local govern- ments and private programs and policies to protect farmland. Specifically, the FPPA outlines several measures to minimize the impacts of federal programs on agricul- tural land. The USDA, in cooperation with other departments, agencies, and commissions, shall develop criteria for identifying the effects of federal programs on the conversion of farmland to other uses. Federal agencies shall use the criteria establish- ed to identify and take into account the adverse effects of federal programs, consider alternate actions and, as appropriate, lessen adverse impacts. Federal agencies shall develop proposals for action to bring programs, policies and procedures into conformity with the purpose of the FPPA wherever it is found to be necessary. USDA/SCS - Farm!and.Protection Policy (7 CFR 658) These final rules and regulations implement the crite- ria developed by the SCS in accordance with and pur- suant to the FPPA. The established criteria are to be used for identifying and considering the effects of federal programs on the conversion of farmlands to nonagriculture uses. Also, the criteria provides the means of identifying technical assistance to agencies of local, state, and federal governments by the SCS. Federal agencies are to (1) use the criteria to identi- fy and take into account the adverse effects of their 2.9.2 ------- programs on the preservation of farmlands, (2) consider alternative actions, as appropriate, that could lessen adverse effects, and (3) ensure that their programs, to the extent practicable, are compatible with state and local governments and private programs and policies to protect farmland. 2.9.2 Environmental Review Procedures Figure 2-12 outlines the environmental review procedures for significant agricultural lands as they apply to CERCLA/SARA. IRL: During the scoping portion of the RI/FS process, EPA should identify significant agricultural lands in the project area (see Appendix F-l). The SCS and the local State Soil Conservation District (SSCD) should be consulted throughout the process. If there are no significant agricultural lands in the project area, no further review is required. RI/FS: If there are significant agricultural lands in the project area, the RI/FS must evaluate impacts of site contamination and remedial action alterna- tives on agricultural resources. The RI/FS workplan should provide for the completion of the impact assessment during the preparation of the RI/FS. Significant agricultural lands in the project area must be identified and mapped according to their location and classification/significance. Follow- ing identification of these lands, potential direct and indirect impacts to the lands and related agricultural resources must be assessed and presented in the RI/FS. Additionally, meas- ures to mitigate adverse impacts to significant agricultural lands must be addressed in the RI/FS. Consultation with the SCS and/or SSCD is recom- mended to ensure that impacts to significant agricultural lands are properly assessed and mitigated. Additionally, if a CERCLA/SARA remedial action will result in the conversion of significant agricultural land to non-agricultural uses, EPA must submit a Farmland Conversion Impact Rating Form (Form AD 1006) (see Appendix F-2) to SCS for evaluation of the impact of the conversion. The results of the SCS analysis should be incorporated into the impact assessment presented in the RI/FS. Clearly, since few CERCLA/SARA remedial actions will require the conversion from agricultural land to non-agricultural uses, the use of this form has limited applicability to CERCLA/SARA. 2.9.3 ------- PROCEDURES FOR SIGNIFICANT AGRICULTURAL LANDS REVIEW UNDER CERCLA / SARA FIGURE 2-12 CERCLA/SARA PROJECT PHASE IRL YES RI/F5 DETERMINE WHETHER THE PROPOSED PROJECT MAY AFFECT SIGNIFICANT AGRICULTURAL LANDS IDENTIFY AND DELINEATE THESE LANDS DETERMINE WHETHER AGRICULTURAL LAND WILL BE CONVERTED NO COMPLETE/FILE FORM AD 1006 WITH SC5 ^ f&'-**^ 1 EVALUATE IMPACTS ON AGRICULTURAL LANDS AND RESOURCES MITIGATE OR MODIFY THE PROJECT ROD RD/RA DEVELOPMENT/IMPLEMENTATION OF MITIGATION NO FURTHER SIGNIFICANT AGRICULTURAL LANDS REVIEW REQUIRED IIMUIM IROVP INC. ------- ROD: The ROD should include a summary of EPA's activi- ties to ensure that impacts to significant agri- cultural land are properly assessed and mitigated. RD/RA: Unavoidable impacts to significant agricultural lands must be mitigated during the implementation phase of the CERCLA/SARA remedial action. 2.9.4 ------- NATURAL RESOURCE TRUSTEE COORDINATION ------- p^f^~ )i^eA>^^ I m D o m CO ------- APPENDIX A ------- APPENDIX A SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION A-l Memorandum of Applicability of Section 102(2) (c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to Response Actions Under Section 104 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compen- sation and Liability »"'. of 1980, September 1, 19E2. A-2 Memorandum on CERCLA Remedial Actions and NEPA/EIS Functional Equivalency, August 22, 1984. A-3 Memorandum on Coordination Between Regional Superfund Staffs and OFA Regional Counterparts on CERCLA Actions. A-4 CERCLA Environmental Issues and Requirements - EIB/ERRD Coordina- tion Procedure. A-5 Memorandum on CERCLA Compliance with Other Environmental Sta- tutes, October 2, 1985. ------- ? UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ~ WASHINGTON, DC 20460 1 SEP 1981 Of UZGAUAMO CM OWCEMCNT COUf- MEMORANDUM SUBJECT: Applicability of Section 102(2) (C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to Response Actions Under Section 104 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation r and Liability Act of 1980 FROMr Robert M. Perry Associate Administrator and GenergjC Counsel TOr Rita H. Lavelle Assistant Administrator for Solid Waste and Emergency Response- This responds to. your- inquiry concerning the- applicability of section 102(2)(C) of the- National Environmental Policy Act of 196? (NEPA), Pub. L. 91-190,. as amended,,. 42 U.S.C. §4332(2) (Or to- removal and remedial actions supported: in whole or in part with Hazardous Response Trust Fund monies under section 104 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response,- Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) , Pub. L. 96-510, 42 U..S.C. S9604. More specifically, you have- asked whether removal and remedial actions are subject to the- requirement for an environmental impact statement (EIS) imposed on federal agencies by section 102(2)(C). For the reasons stated below, it is my opinionr 1) that the need, for expedition in carrying out removal actions exempts such actions from the EIS requirement; and 2) that an EIS is unnecessary for remedial actions, provided the Agency- complies with the standards for a functional equivalent exception to the EIS requirement. To aid your understanding of the EIS requirement r I have included in my response a background discus- sion of section 102(2) (C) and the implementing regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ). Background NEPA establishes a national policy requiring every federal agency to incorporate consideration of environmental factors into Al.l ------- -2- if.s decision-making process. I/ To implement this policy, section 102(2)(C) of NEPA directs federal agencies "to the fullest extent possible" to prepare a "detailed" EIS for all "major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environ- ment-"' As specified in section 102(2)(C)(i)-(v), an EIS must. address the following areas: (i) the environmental impact of the proposed action, (ii) any adverse environmental effects which cannot be- avoided should the proposal be implemented, (iii) alternatives to the proposed action, (iv) the relationship between local short-term uses of man's environment and the maintenance and enhancement of long-term productivity, and (v) any irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources which would be involved in the proposed action should it be implemented.. Section 102(2)(C) requires the responsible federal official,* prior to preparing: an EISr to consult with and obtain, cannneirts front other federal agencies having "jurisdiction by law- or special expertise with; respect to any environmental impact involved.* lit additionr the responsible official must secure comments on the EZS from. federalr state,, and local agencies "which are authorized to develop and enforce environmental standards.* These comments, together with the EIS itself, must 'accompany the [proposed action! through the existing agency review processes." The CEQ has promulgated regulations implementing NEPA at 40 C.F.R. Part 1500+2/ Dnder these regulations, a federal agency must normally prepare an environmental assessment to determine whether a proposed action requires an EIS» 40 C.-F.R. 51501.4(c). If the environmental assessment indicates that the project is not a- major federal action significantly affecting the environment, the agency must issue a finding of no significant impact which briefly explains the reasons why an EIS is unnecessary. 40 C.F.R. SS1501.4(e), 1508.13. I/Section 101(a) of NEPA, 42 O.S.C. §4331(a), states that "it Ts the continuing policy of the Federal Government .... to use all practicable means ... to create and-maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony...." Section 101(b) of NEPAr 42 U.S.C. S4331(b), declares that "it is the continuing responsibility of the Federal Government to use all practicable means, consistent with other essential considerations of national policy, to improve ... Federal plans ... [and] programs" in order to achieve six specific environmental goals. 2/ Executive Order No» 11991 (May 24, 1977) required CEO to Tssue NEPA regulations binding on other federal agencies. A1.2 ------- -3- If the agency finds, based on the environmental assessment, that the project is a major, federal action having a significant impact on the environment, the agency must initiate the formal EIS process by publishing a notice of intent to prepare an EIS in the Federal Register and by consulting with affected govern- ment agsncias~and Indian tribes and interested persons as to the scope of the EIS. 40 C.F.R. §51501.7, 1508.22. According to published CEQ guidance, large projects should require about 12 months for completion of the EIS process.3/ Upon determining the scope of the EIS, the agency must prepare- a draft EIS- 40 C.F.R. S1502.9(a). The draft EIS must specify the purpose of and need for the project, describe the affected environment, evaluate all reasonable alternatives, including the no-acti6n alternative, and discuss the short and longterm environmental consequences of the project and alterna- tives. 40 C.F.R. SS15Q2.13-.16. The draft EIS must be circulated for comment for at least 45 days among relevant federal agencies, state and local environmental agencies, affected Indian tribes, and. the public- 40 C.F.R. SS1503.1, 1506.10(c). After considering the comments received on the draft EIS,. the agency must issue a. final EIS. 40 C.F.R. S1502.9(b). The agency must file the: final ELS with EPA, transmit, it ta agencies that commented, on. the draft EIS, and. make it available to the public. 40 C.F.R.. SS1502.19(d), 15Q6.6(f)r 1506.9. The- final ETS must respond to the comments submitted: on the draft ETS" and. discuss responsible opposing views that were inadequately addressed in the draft EIS. 40 C.F.R. S$1502.9(b), 1503.4. Generally, the agency may not make a final decision orr the project until at least 30 days after publication by EPA of a notice of the EIS in the Federal Register. 40 C.F.R. §1506.10(b)(2).4/ The final decision must be documented in the form of a public record of decision that articulates the basis for the decision, the alternatives considered, and any necessary mitigation measures. 40 C.F.R. S1505..2.. I. Issue Whether removal actions under section 104 of CERCLA are subject to the EIS requirement of section 102(2)(C) of NEPA. 17 See Forty Most Asked Questions Concerning CEQ's National Environmental Policy Act Regulations (46 Fed. Reg. 18037, March 23, 1981). In accordance with 40 C.F.R. S1506.10(d) , the 30-day time period between the notice of an EIS and the making of a final decision, as well as the 45-day comment period for draft EISs (40 C.F.R. S1506.10 (c) ) , may be shortened upon a showing by the federal agency that there are compelling reasons of national policy to reduce the prescribed periods. A1.3 ------- -4- Answer Removal actions are exempt from compliance- with section 102(2)(C) of NEPA due to the fundamental conflict in statutory purpose between the EIS requirement and EPA's removal authority. This conflict arises from the fact that it would be virtually impossible for EPA to follow the lengthy EIS process and at the same time expeditiously undertake removal actions. Discussion Because NEPA does not repeal by implication other federal laws, SJ the courts have recognized that a federal agency is exempt from complying with section 102(2)(C) of NEPA if compli- ance would result in a ""clear and unavoidable conflict" with the purpose or procedure of. the agency's organic statute. Flint Ridge Development Company v. Scenic River Association of Oklahoma, 426 U.S.776, 788 (1976).This exemption has been invoiced to bar the application of section 102(2)(C) where- it would be impossible for an agency to adhere to the formal EIS process and at the samer time comply with a. deadline- for decision- making. 6/ or a directive for prompt actionr 7/ mandated by the agency's organic statute. United States v. Students Challenging- Regulatory Agency Procedures, 412 U..S. 669, 694 (1973). !/ See, e.g. f Flint Ridge Development Co- v. Scenic Rivers- Association of Oklahoma, supra, (EIS requirement must yield to 30-day time limit prescribed by the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act for approval or disapproval of property disclosure- statement) r National Ass *n of Property Owners v. U.S., 499 F.Supp. 1223, 126768 (D.Minn. 1980)(EIS unnecessary due to conflict between EIS requirement and effective date of motorized use restrictions under Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Act), aff'd, 660 F.2d 1240 (8th Cir. 1981); Gulf Oil Corp. v. Simon, 373 F.Supp» 1102r 1105 (D.D.C. 1974) I conflict between NEPA compliance and 15-day timetable for issuance of regulations under Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act precludes preparation of an EIS), aff'd, 502 F.2d 1154 (Em. Ct. App. 1974), 7/ Seer e.q-., Dry Color Manufacturer's Ass'n v. Dep't of Labor, ?86 F.2d 98, 107-08 (3rdCir. 1973)(EIS not a prerequisite for the promulgation of an emergency temporary standard under Occupational Safety and Health Act); Atlanta Gas Light Co. v. Federal Power Comm'n, 476 F.2d 142, 150 (5th Cir. 1973) (EIS unnecessary prior to approval by Federal Power Commission of emergency interim curtailment plan under the Natural Gas Act); State of Alaska v-. Carter, 462 F.Supp. 1155, 1161 (D. Alaska 1975}(emergencywithdrawal under Federal Land Policy and Management Act did not require an EIS). A1.4 ------- -5- In my opinion, removal actions under section 104 of CERCLA fall within the exemption for statutory conflict because of the incompatability between EPA's removal authority and NEPA1s EIS requirement- Briefly stated, removal actions involve the implementation of short-term cleanup measures taken in response to whe release or threatened release of hazardous substances^ See section 101(23) of CERCLA.(42 Q.S.C. §9601(23)). The National Contingency Plan (NCP) divides removal actions into two categories - immediate removals and planned removals. Immediate removals are appropriate where- action within hours or days may be- necessary to prevent significant harm to human health or the environment (NCP, §300.65). Planned removals, on the other hand, are appropriate where an expedited, although not. necessarily immediate, response may be required (NCP, §300..67) _ Both immediate and planned removals may- not continue beyond 6 months or after the. expenditure of $1 millions unless there is a finding that an emergency exists pursuant to the requirements of section 104(c)(l) of CERCLA* la view of the focus of immediate and planned removals on emergency and near emergency situations, it is evident that EPA's removal, authority would be seriously undermined if the Agency, as a pre-condition to initiating removal actions, were required to complete, the formal EIS process prescribed by the CEQ regula- tions.- Such a requirement would make it impossible for the Agency to undertake removal actions with the requisite degree of speed due to the time-consuming nature of the CEQ procedures, and would raise the possibility of further delays from litigation .challeng- ing the adequacy of EISs.8/ Under these circumstances, compliance with section 102(2)(C) of NEPA would create an irreconcilable conflict in statutory authority so as to relieve the agency of any duty to file an EIS.9/ 8/ see Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. v. Nuclear liTeoula"torv Comm' n, 647 F.2d 1345, 1385-86 (D.C. Cir. 1981) (Robinson, J.r concurring)(EIS not required due to conflict between the timetable for export licensing by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act and the time necessary to prepare an EIS and defend against possible NEPA actions). See also Portland Cement Ass'n v. Ruckelshaus, 486 F.2d 375, 38(F!T (D.C. Cir» 1973) (noting existence of a conflict between the EIS process and time constraints of the Clean Air Act). 9/ The conclusion that the exemption for statutory conflict "applies to planned removals is based on the assumption that planned removals will be undertaken without extensive, prior investigative studies such as those authorized under section 104(b) of CERCLA. For any planned removals that are preceded by such studies, it should be emphasized that the case for applying the exemption is not as strong. To the degree that extensive, prior investigative (Footnote continued) A1.5 ------- o This conclusion is consistent with the- legislative history of CERCLA, which reflects a congressional awareness that the expedited character of removal actions would justify noncorapli- iance with section 102(2)(C) of NEPA. Congress contemplated that: removal actions would proceed without a prolonged environ- mental review and that they would be treated for purposes of the EIS requirement in a manner similar to cleanup actions under section 311.of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. §1321, which are explicitly exempted .rom the EIS process by section 511(c)(l) of the Act, 33 CT.S.C. S137.U c) (1) . _LO/ As stated in the Senate Report, accompanying S .. 1480 ; 11/ The intent of section 3(c)(l) is to authorize removal with a minimum, of delay in order to assure that injury to the- public health, welfare and the environment are prevented or minimized and mitigated. This provision is similar to section 311 of the Clean Water Act. Section 511(c) of the Clean Water Act defines section 311 actions of the Administrator as not constituting a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment within the meaning of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Removal actions may be emergency actions within the meaning of. the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. S. Rep. No. 848f 96th Cong. r 2d Sess. 61 (1980.). 12/ 9_/ (Continued from previous page) studies provide EPA with substantial lead time to evaluate alternative courses: of action for planned removals, a court might find that the time constraints necessary to invoke the exemption are not present- In that event, the only argument potentially available to EPA in support of an EIS exemption would be that the studies constitute the "functional equivalent" of an EIS (see infra pp. 7-11). 10/ Section 511(c)(l) of the Clean Water Act provides that the EIS requirement does not apply to EPA actions under the Clean Water Act, except for the issuance of new source National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits under section 402 of the Act, 33 O.S.C. S1342, and the award of wastewater treatment construction grants under section 201 of the Act, 33 O.S.C. S1281. ll/ S. 1480 was the Senate version of the Superfund legislation. TCIthough the bill was revised considerably to produce CERCLA as enacted, it did contain a provision for response actions similar to the response authority found in section 104 of CERCLA. 12/ The statement in the Senate Report that removal actions may "constitute emergency actions within the meaning of NEPA is possibly a reference to 40 C.F.R..51506.11 of the CEQ regulations, which authorizes a federal agancy to forego NEPA review where action is necessary to control the immediate impacts of an emergency. A1.6 ------- -7- Tn sum, given the antithesis between the formal SIS process and the congressionallyrecognized need for dispatch in the conduct of removal actions, there is little question but that removal actions are exempt from section 102(2)(C) of NEPA on the ground of statutory conflict.13/ II. Issue Whether remedial actions under section 104 of CERCLA are subject to tr.n.« EIS requirement of section 102(2)(C) of NEPA. Answer CERCLA requires remedial actions to include a thorough review of environmental factors. If EPA conducts .this review in accordance with procedures set forth in the NCP and incorporates public participation in the decision-making process, it is likely that remedial actions will qualify for the- functional equivalent exception to the EIS requirement, Discussion- Remedial actions under section- 104 of CERCLA involve- longtentr actions consistent with a permanent remedy to prevent or minimize- the release of hazardous substances. See- section 101(24) of CERCLA (42 U.S.C. $9601(24)). In contrast to removal actions, remedial actions normally address situations that do not require an immediate or expedited response and therefore allow for the time necessary to conduct detailed planning and evaluation. Because of" the time available for remedial actions, it is unlikely that application of section 102(2)(C) of NEPA would severely disrupt the remedial action process so as to justify an EIS exemption on the ground of statutory conflict. Neverthe- less, remedial actions potentially qualify for another exception to the EIS requirement developed by courts for situations where an agency achieves NEPA.'s objective of full disclosure of environ- mental effects through means comparable to an EIS. This exemption, TJ?Notwithstanding the applicability of the statutory conflict exemption, the Agency has an obligation under CERCLA to assess, short of an elaborate, ElS-type analysis, the potential environ- mental impacts of removal actions* Clearly, an assessment of this sort cannot be extensive for immediate removals due to their emergency orientation. However, because planned removals proceed on a relatively less urgent basis, it is incumbent upon EPA to undertake such an assessment to a greater degree when conducting planned removals. AT.7 ------- -8- commonly known as the "functional equivalent" exception, !_£/ has been applied to specific regulatory activities of EPA under the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. §§7401 et sea. , IS/ the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), 7 U.S..C. §§136 et seq., 16/ the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972, 33 U.S.C. §§1401 e_t s&£. , 17/ and the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. §§2601 et seq.l8/~ 14/ As a threshold matter, it should be noted that the legisla- tTve history of CERCLA does not bar the application of a functional equivalent exception to remedial actions. The Senate Report accompanying S. 1480 states that remedial actions, by virtue of their relatively long lead time, and allowance for planning, would require a written assessment of alternatives and that in some circumstances, preparation of an EIS might be deemed necessary. See S* Rep. No. 848, 96th Cong., 2d Sess 61 (1980); note 11, supra- This statement, however, should not be viewed as establishing a congressional intent that the formal EIS process be the sole vehicle for analyzing the environmental impacts of large scale remedial actions. Properly interpreted, the statement reflects Congress1 overriding concern that the environmental consequences of remedial actions be fully explored* Application of the functional equivalent exception does not violate this concern, since the exception can only be invoked where the substance of section 102(2)(C) of. NEPA has been fulfilled* 15/ See, e.g.,. Amoco Oil Co. v. EPA, 501 F*2d 722, 749-50 (D*C. cTr* 1974)(issuance of fuel additive regulations); Essex Chemical Corp* v. Ruckelshaus, 486 F*2d 427, 431 (D.C. Cir* 1973)(promu-Lga tion of new source performance standards), cert, denied, 41S CT*S» 969 (1974); Portland Cement Ass'n v. Ruckelshaus, 486 F.2d 375, 384-87 (D.C* Cir. 1973) (promulgation of new. source performance- standards)* In 1974r Congress enacted the Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act, Pub* L. 93-319, which explicitly exempted from section 102(2)(C) of NEPA actions taken by the Administrator under the Clean Air Act (see 15 0*S.C* $793(c)(l))* 16/ See State of Wyoming v. Hathaway, 525 F.2d 66, 72-73 (10th CTr. 1975)(cancellation and suspension of economic poisons), cert. denied, 425 U.S. 906 (1976); Environmental Defense Fund, Inc. v. EPA, 48fr F.2d 1247r 1254-57 (D.C* Cir. 1973)(cancellation of pesticide registration); Environmental Defense Fund, Inc. v. Blum, 458 F.Supp. 650, 661-62 (D.D.C. 1978)(approval of exemption from pesticide registration). 17 / See State of Maryland v. Train, 415 F.Supp. 116, 121-22 (D. Md. 1976)(issuance of ocean dumping permit), rev'd on other grounds, 556 F.2d 559 (4th Cir. 1977)* 18/ See Warren County v. State of North Carolina, 528 F.Supp. 276, 286-87 (E.D. N.C. 1981)(approval of PCS disposal site); Tvitty v. State of North Carolina, 527 F.Supp* 778, 783 (E.D. N.C. 1981)(approval of PCB disposal site). A1.8 ------- -9- Tn general/ under the functional equivalent exception, an agency with expertise in environmental matters is not obligated to comply with the formal EIS process prior to taking a particu- lar action 19/ if two criteria are met. First, the agency's authorising statute must provide "substantive and procedural standards [that] ensure full and adequate consideration of environmental issues." Environmental Defense Fund, Inc. v. EPA, 489 F.2d 1247, 1257 (D.C, Cir. 1973).,20/ Second, the agency must afford an opportunity for public participation in the- evaluation of environmental factors prior to arriving at a final decision.21/ 19/While the courts' have traditionally applied the functional equivalent exception to regulatory actions, there is nothing to prevent the- exception from applying to site-specific, non- regulatory activities such as remedial actions, absent a specific statutory directive that the activities comply with the E.IS requirement and provided the activities otherwise meet the judicially formulated standards for the exception* Certainly, an extension of the exception to remedial actions would not constitute a radical departure from existing case law, given the willingness of courts to invoice the exception for regulatory actions having- sitespecific impacts. See Warren County v. State of North Carolina,, supra note 18? Twitty v» State of . North Carolina, supra note 18; State of Maryland xr> Train,. supra note 17.. 20/ Tn judging the adequacy of an agencyfs consideration of environmental impacts, the courts have often focused on whether the agency examined the five core issues of an EIS set forth in section 102(2)(C)(i)-(v) of NEPA. See Environmental Defense Fund, Inc. v. EPA, supra, 489 F.2d at 1256; Environmental Defense Fund, Inc. v. Blum, supra, 458 F.Supp. at 661. They have also indicated, howeverr that the functional equivalent exceptioa does not necessarily require an agency to separately address each element of an EIS analysis, especially where the agency's authorizing statute provides for an orderly review of diverse environmental factors. See Pacific Legal Foundation v. Andrus, 657 F.2d 829> 834 n.4 (6th~"Cir. 1981) ; Amoco Oil Co. v. EPA, supra, 501 F.2d at 750? Warren County v. State of North Carolina, supra, 528 F^Supp. at 287. 21/ See, e.g., Portland Cement Asa'n v. Ruckelshaus, supra, 486 7T2d at 386; Environmental Defense Fund, Inc. v. EPA, supra, 489 F.2d at 1256; Warren County v. State of North Carolina, supra, 528 F. Supp- at 287; State of Maryland v. Train, supra, 415 F. Supp. at 122. See also Weinberger v. Catholic Action of Hawaii/ Peace Education Project-, U.S. , 102 S. Ct. 197, 201 (1981) Titating that one objective of section 102(2)(C) of NEPA is to inform the public that environmental concerns have been considered). A1.9 ------- -10- Remedial actions appear to satisfy the first criterion for a functional equivalent exception because of the mandate for environmental assessment contained in section 104 of CERCLA and the procedural safeguards developed by EPA for the remedial planning process. In this context, section 104(a)(l) of CERCLA specifically directs that remedial actions be "necessary to protect public he..lch or welfare or the environment-" As suchr it establishes a substantive standard of environmental protection that requires remedial actions to include a thorough investigation of environmental questions._22/ Moreover, this requirement is iuyyl«iuenced by procedures set forth in the NCP pursuant to section 105 of CERCLA, 42 O.S.C. S9605,_23/ which establish a process for conducting an analysis during the planning of remedial actions that is basically similar to the evaluation underlying an EIS.2_4/ To the extent that these procedures are followed, it is likely that a court would view remedial actions as embodying the type of environmental assessment needed to qualify for the exception. It must be recognized, however, that CERCLA does not pre- scribe requirements for public involvement in the remedial planning process that would enable remedial actions to meet the public participation- criterion for a functional equivalent exception. 227See Environmental Defense Fund, Inc. v. EPA/ supra, 489 F at 1256 (language in FIFRA requiring deregistration.of pesticides that would be injurious to man or the environment creates- substan- tive- standard mandating consideration of environmental effects). 23'/ Section 105(3) of CERCLA requires EPA to publish a revised National Contingency Plan that includes methods and criteria for determining the appropriate extent of remedial actions* 24/ Section 300.68 of the NCP contains procedures which provide forr 1) the identification of the appropriate type of remedy based on a consideration of factors that include environmental effects and welfare- concerns (§300.68(e) ) ; 2) the development of feasible alternatives, including consideration of the no-action alternative where action may cause a greater environmental or health danger than no action (S300.68(g)); and 3) the elimination of alternatives that would have significant adverse environmental impacts (5300.68(h)(2)). Ir. cr.?h seizing the consideration of alternatives and their environmental impacts, these procedures are similar to the analytical process mandated by the CEQ regulationsr 40 C-F.R. $1502.14. A1.10 ------- -11- Such requirements are also absent from the NCP, which merely recommends that remedial actions, to the extent practicable, be undertaken in a manner/ sensitive to local community concerns in accordance with applicable guidance* (NCP, §300.61(c)(3) ). Accordingly, in order for the functional equivalent exception to apply, it will be necessary for remedial actions to incorporate procedures that afford the public a meaningful opportunity to comment on environmental issues before the final selection of a remedial alternative. While these procedures need not involve the holding of a formal public hearing,j25/ they should at least entail other, less formal mechanisms 'for.soliciting public input. In conclusion, it must be stressed, that remedial actions do not automatically qualify for the functional equivalent exception to section 102(2)(C) of NEPA- Rather, the availability of the exception is contingent upon structuring remedial actions to satisfy the requirements for environmental assessment and public participation underlying the exception* If EPA complies with the procedures for environmental evaluation contained in the NCP and provides for public comment during the decision-making process, a strong argument can be made that the exception is applicable*. However, if these precautions are not taken, there is a consider- able; risk that a court will find remedial actions to be subject to the EIS requirement* cct Anne M. Gorsuch (A100) Regional Administrators (I-X) Regional Counsels (I-X) Paul C* Cahill (A-104) "2S/ Although the provision of" public hearings has undoubtedly Influenced courts in granting functional equivalent exceptions, e.g., Amoco Oil Co. v. EPA, supra, SOI F»2d at 750;-Environmental Defense Fund, Inc. v. EPA, supra, 489 F..2d at 1255, such hearings should not be viewed as a critical, element of the exception. This is because NEPA itself provides no right to a public hearing. See Como-Falcon Community Coalition, Inc. v. United States Dept. of of Labor, 609 F»2d 342, 344-45 (8th Cir. 1979), cert, denied, 446 U.S. 936 (1980); Cross-Sound Services, Inc. v. United States, 573 F..2d 725, 731-32 (2d Cir. 1978); State of Wyoming v. Hathaway:, supra, 525 F.2d at 72 n»7» Al.ll ------- V !C - MEMORANDUM SUBJECT: CERCLA Remedial Actions and NEPA/EIS Functional Equivalency FROM: Josephine S. Cooper, Assistant Administrator^ for External Affairs ( i ' "T*" Lee Thomas, Assistant Administrator c^Js-AjH for Solid Waste and Emergency Response e£p «c 1004 TO: Regional Administrators The Office of Emergency and Remedial Response 1s currently developin-f guidance to assure that remedial actions under CERCLA fully comply with the intent of Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as well as other related environmental statutes. This guidance will be reflected in the Guidance Document For Feasibility Studies Under CERCLA. For background, we should Indicate that EPA is required to prepare environmental impact statements (EISs) pursuant to Section 102(2)(C) of NEPA for only a limited number of programs. The reviews that are to be provided for remedial actions under CERCLA are considered to be function- ally equivalent to the EIS requirements of Section 102(2)(C), Involving as they do a consideration of environmental consequences accompanied by public participation. As the national program managers for CERCLA and NEPA compliance, we believe that functional equivalency can be achieved most efficiently and effectively through the close working relationship between our respective offices at Headquarters and a concomitant sharing of expertise at the Regional level. While Regional NEPA compliance resources have historically been directed towards EIS preparation for construction grants and new source NPOES permits, the reviews performed have of necessity been inter- disciplinary in nature. In addition, NEPA compliance staff are expected to be familiar with other environmental requirements (e.g., the executive orders on floodplains and wetlands, etc.) that apply to EPA programs. Therefore, as reflected in OEA/OFA FY 85-86 Operating Guidance, Regional NEPA compliance staff are expected to be available to assist other Regional programs in assuring NEPA compliance and functional equivalency. A2.1 ------- We urge you to utilize the experience and expertise that exists in your Regional NEPA compliance program to assist CERCLA staff in ensuring functional equivalency and full review concerning other environmental statutes. We believe that such a cooperative effort will be particularly useful in the consideration of natural resource and environmental values, which are increasingly becoming an Issue in remedial actions. Please address any inquiries you may have concerning this to Bill Hedeman (OERR) or Allan Hlrsch (OFA). A2.2 ------- \ UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL ? WASHINGTON. D.C. 20460 l- 2 0 884 QH KOV -2 OFFICE MEMORANDUM SUBJECT: Coordination between Regional Superfund Staffs and OFA Regional Counterparts on CERCLA Actions FROM: Will 1 am N. Hedeman. Director "*xAO Office of Emergency and Remedial. Response Allan Hlrsch. Director ' ' Office of Federal Act1 TO: See Addressees The purpose of this memorandum 1s to encourage coordination between ihe Regional Superfund staffs and Office of Federal Activities (OFA) Regional counterparts 1n carrying out CERCLA actions. It 1s a follow-up to the August 22, 1984 memorandum (attached) sent from Josephine Cooper, Assistant Administrator for External Affairs, and Lee Thomas, Assistant Administrator for Solid Haste and Emergency Response, to the Regional Administrators emphasizing Headquarters support for such an arrangement* In carrying out Superfund remedial actions, 1t 1s EPA's policy to provide opportunity for public review and to follow procedures that are functionally equivalent to those afforded by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). It 1s also our policy to comply substantive1y with other environmental statutes and Executive Orders such as the Endangered Species Act, National Historic Preservation Act, Floodplaln Management Executive Order (E011988) and Protection of Wetlands Executive Order (E011990) where feasible and appropriate. OFA's Regional counterparts have the expertise to assist the Superfund staffs In meeting these requirements. Another area 1n which OFA Regional counterparts Interrelate with the Superfund program 1s 1n the review of environmental Impact statements (EISs) prepared by other federal agencies on proposed actions that would have an affect on the environment. In some drcums'tances, these proposed federal actions directly relate to remedial actions on federal facilities Involving hazardous substances, pollutants, and contaminants, and should be reviewed by Regional Superfund staff to ensure consistency 1n Agency positions. These EISs also can provide a valuable source of Information to Regional Superfund staff on certain types of remedial actions being contemplated that relate to similar circumstances 1n the Superfund program. A3.1 ------- We would like to encourage development of a close working relationship between these staffs. This would be of benefit 1n Identifying sites where compliance with these statutes and Executive Orders would apply; In ueteruiimiiy *iidl procedures and analyses should be carried out; In determining the Alternatives and Mitigating Measures that should be considered; and In sharing Information developed by other federal agencies In the EIS process. We urge you to begin exploring mechanisms to Implement such an arrangement. One way to begin 1s to notify OFA Regional counterparts early 1n the fiscal year about sites In the Regions which will be targeted for CERCLA action. This can be accomplished through three mechanisms which are part of the framework of the Superfund planning process: - Review of the National Prlorltes List (NPL), which 1s a list of over 400 hazardous waste sites targeted for clean-up by Federal and State governments under CERCLA. Sites on the 11st are candidates for remedial or enforcement action. - Review of the Site Management Plan (SMP), which provides estimated dates on when clean-up activities will begin on sites listed on the NPL, proposed for Inclusion on the NPL, or listed as Dloxln Tier 1 or 2 sites.N -' Review of the Superfund Comprehensive Accomplishment Plan (SCAP) which 1s a suonary of all sites-related activity 1n a Region planned for the upcoming fiscal year. For removal activities, the annual plan sets targets for removals at NPL and non-NPL sites. Remedial, enforcement and community relations activities are Identified on the plan by site name, State, activity type, expected start date, estimated cost, designation of the lead organization and other relevant Information. We encourage you to support this effort. Later 1n the fiscal year, we anticipate surveying the Regions to determine how this coordination 1s working and methods to Improve program Implementation. Should you have any questions on this matter please contact Anne Miller of the Office of Federal Activities (382-7063) or Tom Sheckells of the Office of Emergency and Remedial Response (382-2339). Attachment A3.2 ------- CERCLA Environmental Issues and Requirements EIB/ERRD Coordination Procedure I. Applicability This procedure is intended to establish general guidelines for coordination between the Emergency and Remedial Response Division (ERRD) and the Environmental Impacts Branch (EIB) on environmental issues relating to CERCLA remedial actions. Removal activities are not a subject of these procedures. Moreover, the purpose of this coordination will be to determine some of the federal environmental requirements applicable to particular CERCLA projects. These requirements can be specifically mandated, such as those contained in the National Historic Preservation Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, Endangered Species Act, and Executive Orders on -Wetlands and Floodplains; or they can be generic requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act, relating to hydrology, geology, noise, biology, socioeconomics, land use, and energy. Specific federal environmental standards or criteria such as those relating to water quality, air quality, drinking water, and permissible chemical exposure levels will not be a subject of this coordination. Information on environmental standards should be obtained by the CERCLA project officer from the appropriate program area within EPA or an appropriate federal agency. II. Early Scoping of Environmental Issues Fund - Financed Remedial Actions EPA project managers will provide EIB with a copy of the clearinghouse letter to the State Agency designated as intergovernmental liaison pursuant to Executive Order 12372. This letter contains general project information, including site location, description and history; therefore, it should provide an adequate basis for a preliminary determination of potential environmental concerns. For State-lead projects, a copy of this letter should be secured for EIB through the project managerss counterpart in the State. Turnaround time for review and comments: 30 days. A4.1 ------- -2- Responsible Party Remedial Actions EPA project managers will provide EIB with a copy of the Administrative Order issued to the potentially responsible party(s) for a particular remedial action. The Order will normally contain enough detailed information on site characteristics for EIB to make a preliminary determination of potential environmental concerns. Turnaround time for review and comments: 30 days. The purpose of early scoping of environmental issues is to provide EIB with sufficient information in order to identify potential conflicts with federal environ- mental regulatory requirements (as outlined under "Applicability") and potential negative impacts to the environment as a result of the remedial process, whether it is carried out by contractors to EPA, a State, or a potentially responsible party. Identification of these issues in the above manner will allow time for appropriate adjustments in the final project workplan (An EIB contact should be designated to whom the above materials can be sent.) III. Coordination During Remedial Investigation CERCLA project managers will coordinate with EIB on an as-needed basis during the performance of the remedial investigation on significant environmental issues identified during the scoping process. Also, project managers will alert EIB to any new developments which may have adverse environmental consequences in order to properly assess the development and take whatever action that the project manager, in consultation with EIB, believes is appropriate. The purpose of this coordination during the remedial investigation is to ensure that any data-gathering needs relating to significant environmental issues are properly attended to. A4.2 ------- -3- IV. Coordination Daring Feasibility Study CERCLA project managers will coordinate with EIB on an as- needed basis during the initial screening of alternatives, followed by the detailed analysis of alternatives conducted in the feasibility study. Coordination should usually focus or. environmental issues that have surfaced during earlier project stages. The project manager may request EIB participation in the review of the environmental assessment performed during the detailed analysis of alter- natives if he feels that there are environmental issues involved e.g. floodplains or wetlands assessments, which require the benefit of EIB's experience and expertise. The purpose of this coordination during the feasibility study is to ensure that the project manager properly assesses the environmental impacts of remedial alternatives, develops appropriate mitigation measures to offset environmental impacts associated with the selected alternative, and fulfills federal environmental regu- latory requirements specific to the project. References: Coordination between Regional Superfund and OFA Regional Counterparts, on CERCLA Actions (Memo from Hedeman/Hirsch dated 10/29/84); Applicability of Section 102(2)(c) of NEPA to Response Actions Under Section 104 of CERCLA (Memo from OGC to Lavelle dated 9/1/82); Appendix to revised National Contigency Plan (Memo from L. Thomas to R.A.s); Draft Guidance Document for Feasibililty Studies Under CERCLA; Implementation of Procedures on the National Environmental Policy Act (11/6/79 regulations; A4.3 ------- EPA MEMORANDUM ON CERCLA COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL STATUTES (Published at 50 FR 47946, November 20, 1985) Memorandum Subject: CERCLA Compliance With Other Environmental Statutes. From: ]. Winston Porter. Assistant Administrator. To: Regional Administrator, Regions I- X. This memorandum sets forth the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] policy on the applicability of the standards, criteria, advisories, and guidance of other State and Federal environmental and public health statutes to actions taken pursuant to sections 104 and 106 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA). This policy addresses considerations for on-site and off-site actions taken under CERCLA. I. Discussion The National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP) establishes the process for determining appropriate removal and/or remedial actions at Superfund sites. In th<; course of this process, EPA will give primary consideration to the selection of those response actions that are effective in preventing or, where prevention is not practicable, minimizing the release of hazardous substances so that they do not migrate to cause substantial danger to present or future public health, welfare, or the environment. As a general rule, this can be accomplished by pursuing remedies that attain or exceed the requirements of applicable or relevant and appropriate Federal public health or environmental laws. However, because of unique circumstances at particular sites, there may be alternatives that do not meet the standards of other laws, but that still provide protection of public health and welfare, and the environment. Although response actions that prevent hazardous substances from migrating into the environment are seen as the most effective under CERCLA, actions which minimize migration must also be considered since CERCLA primarily addresses inadequate post disposal practices and resulting unique site conditions. At certain sites, it may be technically impractical, environmentally unacceptable, or excessively costly to implement a response action that prevents migration or restores the site to its original, uncontaminated condition. II. Policy Section 104 of CERCLA requires that off-site remedial actions, storage, destruction treatment or secure disposition, be in compliance with subtitle C of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). CERCLA is silent, however, concerning the requirements of other laws with regard to all other response actions taken pursuant to sections 104 and 106. As a general rule, the Agency's policy is to attain or exceed applicable or relevant and appropriate Federal environmental and public health requirements in CERCLA response actions unless one of the specifically enumerated situations is present. Where such a situation is present and a requirement is not followed, the Agency must document and explain the reasons in the decision documents. Other Federal criteria, advisories, guidance, and State standards also will be considered and may be used in developing remedial alternatives, with adjustments for site specific circumstances. If EPA does not use. or uses and adjusts any pertinent standards in this category, EPA will fully document the reasons why in the decision documents. A. On-site Response Actions (1) For removal actions, EPA's policy is to pursue actions that will meet applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements of other Federal environmental and public health laws to the maximum extent practicable, considering the exigencies of the situation. (2) For remedial actions, EPA's policy is to pursue remedies that attain or exceed applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements of other Federal public health and environmental laws, unless the specific circumstances identified below exist. CERCLA procedural and administrative requirements will be modified to provide safeguards similar to those provided under other laws. Application for and receipt of permits is not required for on-site response actions taken under the Fund-financed or enforcement authorities of CERCLA. B. Off-Site Response Actions CERCLA removal and remedial ' activities that involve the removal of hazardous substances from a CERCLA site to off-site facilities for proper 12-6-85 Published by THE BUREAU OF NATIONAL AFFAIRS. INC., Washington, D.C. 20037 69 A5.1 ------- 41:3132 FEDERAL LAWS storage, treatment or disposal must be in compliance with all applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements of Federal environmental and public health laws. Off-site facilities that are used for storage, treatment, or disposal of Superfund wastes must have all appropriate permits or authorizations. If the facility or process that is being considered for receipt of the Superfund wastes has not been permitted or authorized, the State or responsible party will be required to obtain all appropriate permits. Furthermore, as stated in the Agency's off-site policy memorandum, "Procedures for Planning and Implementing Off-Site Response Actions," May 6,1985, barring an exeption in that memorandum, no CERCLA hazardous substances shall be taken off-site to a RCRA facility if the receiving Region's Administrator determines that the facility has significant RCRA violations or other environmental conditions that affect the satisfactory operation of the facility. A State's responsibility for obtaining any appropriate Federal, State or local permits (e.g., RCRA, TSCA. NPDES, U1C, Clean Air, etc.) will be specified in a contract or cooperative agreement wilh the State as part of its assurances required under section 104(c) of CERCLA. III. Other Laws or Guidance That May Be Used To Determine the Appropriate Extent of Response Actions Federal and State environmental and public health requirements, criteria, guidance and advisories fall into two categories: Federal requirements that are potetially applicable or relevant and appropriate, Other Federal criteria, advisories, guidance, and State standards to be considered. An initial list of both categories is attached. A. Applicable orHelevant and Appropriate Federal Requirements "Applicable" requirements are those Federal requirements that would be legally applicable, whether directly, or as incorporated by a federally authorized State program, if the response actions were not undertaken pursuant to CERCLA section 104 or 106. "Relevant and Appropriate" requirements are those Federal requirements that, while not "applicable," are designed to apply to problems sufficiently similar to those encountered at CERCLA sites that their application is appropriate. Requirements may be relevant and appropriate if they would be " ,jplicable" but for jurisdictional restrict"""" associated with the requirement. For example, the RCRA 40 CFR Part 264 Subpart F Ground-Water Protection Standards would be applicable to the management or cleanup of hazardous xvastes in ground water from hazardous waste management facilities if such actions were not taken pursuant to CERCLA section 104 or 106. Yet RCRA Subtitle C regulations, while not applicable to hazardous wastes disposed of prior to the November 19, 1980, effective date of those regulations, could be relevant and appropriate to CERCLA response actions regardless of when the wastes were disposed of or managed. B. Other Federal Criteria, Advisories, Guidance and State Standards To Be Considered This category includes other standards, criteria, advisories and guidance that may be useful in developing Superfund remedies. These criteria, advisories ard guidance were developed by EPA, other Federal agencies and the States. The concepts and data underlying these requirements may be used at Superfund sites in an appropriate way. IV. Implementation A. Removal Actions For both on- and off-site Fund- financed removal actions, the lead agency should consult with the Regional Response Team within the framework of the Regional Contingency Plan to determine the most effective action. (l)On-site For on-site removal actions, the lead agency shall, as appropriate, attempt to attain or exceed all Federal applicable or relevant and appropriate public health and environmental requirements. The lead agency also shall, as appropriate, consider other Federal criteria, guidance, and advisories as well as State standards in formulating the removal action. However, because removal actions often involve situations requiring expeditious action to protect public health, welfare, or the environment, it may not always be feasible to fully meet them. In those circumstances where they cannot be attained, the decision iocuments, OSC reports, or other documents should specify the reasons. (2) Off-site Off-site facilities that are used for storage, treatment, or disposal of Superfund wastes must have all appropriate permits or authorizations and, barring an exception in the off-site policy, no hazardous substance shall be taken off-site to an RCRA facility if the Region determines that the facility has significant RCRA violations or other environmental conditions that affect the satisfactory operation of the facility. B. Remedial Actions 1. Presentation and Analysis of Alternatives To the extent that it is both possible and appropriate, at least one remedial alternative shall be developed as part of the feasibility study (FS) in each of the following categories: (a) Alternatives for treatment or disposal in an off-site facility, as appropriate;' (b) Alternatives that attain applicable or relevant and appropriate Federal public health and environmental requirements; (c) As appropriate, alternatives that exceed applicable or relevant and appropriate public health and environmental requirements;2 'Thcsr alternatives must be consistent with ETA's May 6.1965 off-site policy. "Procedures fur Planning and Implementing Off-Site Response Actions." In some cases, off-site disposal or treatment may not be feasible and this alternative may be eliminated during initial screening of alternatives. The decision documents should reflect this screening *Foi instance, the Agency might choose incineration as on alternative that exceeds what would be required by applicable' standards because il is a more permanent and reliable solution than RCRA closure standards for land disposal facilities. Environment Reporter 70 Ab.2 ------- ON-SITE/OFF-SITE CERCLA COMPLIANCE S-754 41:3133 (d) As appropriate, alternatives that do not attain applicable or relevant and appropriate public health and environmental requirements but will reduce the likelihood of present or future threat from the hazardous substances and that provide significant protection to public health and welfare and environment. This must include an alternative that closely approaches the level of protection provided by the applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements; (e) A no action alternative. 2. Selection of Remedy The decisionmaker will consider all of the alternatives arrayed in the feasibility study and will give primary consideration to remedies that attain or exceed applicable or relevant and appropriate Federal public health and environmental requirements. Where the selected remedy involves an EPA standard, criterion, or advisory, the decisionmaker will ensure appropriate coordination with affected EPA programs. In appropriate cases, the decisionmaker may select a remedial action that includes both on- and off-site components. The decisionmaker may select an alternative that does not attain applicable or relevant requirements in one of the five following circumstances: (a) Interim RemedyWhere the selected alternative is not the final remedy and will become part of a more comprehensive remedy, the lead agency may select an interim remedy; (b) Fund-BalancingFor Fund- financed responses only, the need for protection of public health, welfare and the environment at the facility under consideration for all of the alternatives that attain or exceed applicable or relevant and appropriate Federal requirements is, considering the amount of money available in the Fund, outweighed by the need for action at other sites that may present a threat to public health or welfare or the environment. In the event of Fund balancing, the lead agency shall select the alternative which most closely approaches the level of protection provided by applicable or relevant and appropriate Federal requirements, considering the specific Fund-balanced sum of money available for the immediate facility. Fund-balancing is not a consideration in determining the appropriate extent of remedy when the response will be performed by a potentially responsible party; (c) Technical ImpracticalityWhere no alternative that attains or exceeds applicable or relevant and appropriate Federal public health and environmental requirements is technically practical to implement, the lead agency shall select the alternative that most closely approaches the level of protection provided by the applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements, and which is reasonable to implement from an engineering perspective; (d) Unacceptable Environmental ImpactsWhere all the alternatives that attain or exceed Federal public health and environmental requirements, if implemented, will result in significant adverse environmental impacts, the lead agency shall select the alternative that most closely approaches the level of protection provided by applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements, without resulting in significant adverse environmental impacts; or (e) Overriding Public Interest Related to EnforcementWhere the remedy is to be carried out pursuant to CERCLA section 106, the Fund is unavailable, there is a strong public interest in expedited cleanup, and the litigation probably would not result in the desired remedy, the lead agency will select the alternative that most closely approaches applicable or relevant and appropriate Federal public health and environmental statutes in light of the need to invoke the exception. Where one of these situations is present, the decisionmaker may select an alternative which does not attain or exceed applicable or relevant and appropriate Federal public health or environmental requirements, yet still provides protection of the public health and welfare and the environment. The basis for not meeting the requirements must be fully documented and explained in the appropriate decision documents. The Agency anticipates that most final CERCLA remedial actions will attain or exceed applicable or relevant and appropriate public health or environmental requirements. Other Federal criteria, advisories, guidance, and State standards also will be considered and may be used in developing remedial alternatives, with appropriate adjustments for site specific circumstances. If EPA does not use, or uses and adjusts any pertinent standards in this category, EPA will fully document the reasons why in the decision documents. For Fund-financed actions, where State standards are part of the cost- effective remedy, the Fund will pay to attain those standards. Where the cost- effective remedy does not include those State standards, the State may pay the difference to attain them. 3. Administrative and Procedural Aspects The following modifications will be made to the Superfund community relations program to ensure that it provides a similar level of public involvement to that provided by the permitting programs of other environmental laws: A fact sheet should be included with the public notice and feasibility study which is provided to the public 2 weeks before the 3-week public comment period. The fact sheet will clearly summarize the feasibility study response alternatives and other issues, including which alternatives attain or exceed Federal public health and environmental requirements. For those alternatives that do not attain applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements of other public health and environmental laws, the fact sheet shall identify how they do not attain the requirements and explain how they nonetheless meet the goals of CERCLA. The public notice should include a timetable in which a decision will be reached, any tentative determinations which the Agency has made, the location where relevant documents can be obtained, identification of community involvement opportunities, the name of an Agency contact, and other appropriate information. A public notice and updated fact sheet should be prepared upon (1) Agency selection of the final response action and (2) completion of the final 12-6-85 Published by THE BUREAU OF NATIONAL AFFAIRS, INC.. Washington, D.C. 20037 71 A5.3 ------- 41:3134 FEDERAL LAWS engineering design. Prior to selecting the final engineering design, the Agency may hold a public meeting to inform the public of the design alternatives and to solicit comments. If a remedy is identified that is materially different from those proposed during the feasibility study public comment period, a new 3-week public comment period may be required prior to amending the Record of Decision. taking into consideration the features of the aitemati >es addressed in the public comment period. The CERCLA enforcement community relations program will also be modified to provide for an enhanced public participation program for both consent decrees and administrative orders. This program will be substantially equivalent to the revised program for Fund- financed actions. Furthermore, consent decrees and administrative orders will incorporate administrative requirements (i.e. recordkeeping and monitoring) similar to those mandated by other environmental programs. V. Applicability of Policy This policy applies to two situations: A site-specific FS has not yet been initiated; the FS must fully comply with this policy. The FS has been initiated, but the remedy has not yet been selected: the requirements of this policy shall be incorporated into the FS and Record of Decision (ROD) as practicable. This policy does not apply to RODs signed befoie February 12,1985, the date of proposal of this policy. If you have any questions or comments, please contact James Lounsbury, Director, Policy Analysis Staff (202 332-2182) or Stephen M. Smith of his staff (202 382-2200). Potentially Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate Requirements /. EPA's Office of Solid Waste administers, inter alia, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976. as amended (Pub. L 94-600. 90 Stat 95. 42 U.S.C. 6901 et set}.). Potentially applicable or relevant requirements pursuant to that Act are: a. Open Dump CriteriaPursuant to RCRA Subtitle D criteria for classification of solid waste disposal facilities (40 CFR Part Z57). Note.Only relevant to nonhazardous wastes. b. In most situations Superfund wastes will be handled in accordance with RCRA Subtitle C requirements governing standards for owners and operators of hazardous waste tieatment. storage, and disposal facilities: 40 CFR Part 264, for permitted facilities, and 40 CFR Part 265, for interim status facilities. Ground Water Protection (40 CFR 264.90-264.109). Ground Water Monitoring (40 CFR 265.90-265.94). Closure and Post Closure (40 CFR 264.110-264.120, 265.110-265.112). Containers (40 CFR 264.170-264.178, 265.170-265.177). Tanks (40 CFR 264.190-264.200, 265.190-265.199). Surface Impoundments (40 CFR 264.220-264.249, 265.220-265.230). Waste Piles (40 CFR 264.250- 264.269,265.250-265.258). Land Treatment (40 CFR 264.270- 264.299. 265.270-265.282). Landfills (40 CFR 264.300-264.339. 265300-265.316). Incinerators (40 CFR 264.340- 264.999. 265.340-265.369). Dioxin-containing Wastes (50 FR 1978). Includes the final rule for the listing of dioxin containing waste. 2. EPA's Office of Water administers several potentially applicable or relevant and appropriate statutes and regulations issued thereunder «. Section 14.2 of the Public Health Service Act as amended by the Safe Drinking Water Act as amended (Pub. L 93-523, 88 Stat. 1660.42 U.S.C. 300f et. seq.} Maximum Contaminant Levels (for all sources of drinking water exposure). (40 CFR 141.11-141.16). Underground Injection Control Regulations. (40 CFR Parts 144.145.146. and 147). b. Cleun Water Act as amended (Pub. L. 92-500, 86 Stat. 816.33 U.S.C. 1251 et. seq.} Requirements established pursuant to sections 301. 302.303 (including Slate water quality standards), 306. 307. (including Federal pretreatmcnt requirements for discharge into a publicly owned treatment works), and 403 of the Clean Water Act. (40 CFR Parts 131,400-469). c. Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (33 U.S.C. 1401). Incineration at sea requirements. (40 CFR Parts 220-225, 227. 228. See also 40 CFR 125.120-125 124). 3. EPA's Office of Pesticides end Toxic Substances Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. 2601). PCD Requirements Generally: 40 CFR Part 761; Manufacturing Processing. Distribution in Commerce, and Use of PCDs and PCB Items (40 CFR 761.20- 701.30): Markings of PCDs and PCB Items (40 CFR 761.40-761.45): Storage und Disposal (40 CFR 761.60-761.79). Records and Reports (40 CFR 761.180- 761.185). See also 40 CFR 129.105. 750. Disposal of Waste Material Containing TCDD. (40 CFR Parts 775.1 BO-775.197). 4. EPA's Office ofExternal Affairs Section 404(b)(l) Guidelines for Specification of Disposal Sites for Dredged or Fill Material (40 CFR Tart 230). Procedures for denial or Restriction of Disposal Sites for Dredged Material (! 404(c) Procedures. 40 CFR Part 231). 5. EPA's Office of Air and Radiation administers several potentially applicable or relevant and appropriate statutes and regulations issued thereunder a. The Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978 (42 U.S.C. 2022). Uranium mill tailing rulesHealth and Environmental Protection Standards for Uranium and Thorium Mill Tailings (40 CFR Part 192). b. Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401). National Ambient Air Quality Standards for total suspended particulates (40 CFR Parts 50.6-50.7). National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone (40 CFR 50.9). Standards for Protection Against Radiationhigh and low level radioactive waste rule. (10 CFR Part 20). See also 10 CFR Parts 10.40,60,61, 72. 960.961. National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Asbestos, (40 CFR 61.140-61.156). See also 40 CFR 427.110-427.116. 763. Environment Reporter 72 A5.4 ------- ON-SITE/OFF-SITE CERCLA COMPLIANCE S-754 41:3135 National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Rfidionuclides (40 CFR Part 61.10 CFR 20.101-20.108). ft Other Federal Requirements. a. OSHA requirements for workers engaged in response activities are codified under the Occupational Safctv and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 651)." The relevant regulatory requirements are included under: Occupational Safety and Health Standards (General Industry Standards) (29 CFR Port 1910). The Safety and Health Standards for Federal Service Contracts (29 CFR Part 1926). The Shipyard and Longshore Standards (29 CFR Parts 1915,1918). Recordkceping, reporting, and related regulations (29 CFR Part 1904). b. Historic Sites, Buildings, and Antiquities Act (16 U.S.C. 461). c. National Historic Preservation Act, 16 U.S.C. 470. Compliance with NEPA required pursuant to 7 CFR Part 650. Protection of Archaeological Resources: Uniform RegulationsDepartment of Defense (32 CFR Part 229, 229.4), Department of the Interior (43 CFR Part 7, 7.4). d. D.O.T. Rules for the Transportation" of Hazardous Materials. 49 CFR Parts 107.171.1-171.500. Regulation of activities in or affecting waters of the United States pursuant to 33 CFR Parts 320-329. The following requirements are also triggered by Fund-financed actions: Endangered Species Act of 1973,16 U.S.C. 1531. (Generally, SO CFR Parts 81. 225. 402). Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. 16 U.S.C. 1271. Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act. 16 U.S.C. fibl note. Fish and Wildlife Improvement Act of 1978. and Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956.16 U.S.C. 742a note. Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act of 1980.16 U.S.C. 2901. (Generally. 50 CFR Part 83). Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972.16 U.S.C. 1451. (Generally. 15 CFR Part 930 and 15 CFR 923.45 for Air and Water Pollution Control Requirements). Other Federal Criteria, Advisories, Guidance, and State Standards To Be Considered 7. Federal Criteria, Advisories and Procedures Health Effects Assessments (HEAs). Recommended Maximum Concentration Limits (RMCLs). Federal Water Quality Criteria (1976,1980.1984). Note: Federal Water Quality Criteria are not legally enforceable. State water quality standards are legally enforceable, and are developed using appropriate aspects of Federal Water Quality Criteria. In many cases, State water quality standards d" not include specific numerical limitations on a large number of priority pollutants. .Viien neither State standards nor MCLs exist for a given pollutant, Federal Water Quality Criteria are pertinent and therefore are to be considered. Pesticide registrations. Pesticide and food additive tolerances and action levels. Note: Germane portions of tolerances and action levels may be pertinent and therefore are to be considered in certain situations. Waste load allocation procedures. EPA Office of Water. Federal sole source aquifer requirements. Public health basis for the decision to list pollutants as hazardous under section 112 of the Clean Air Act. EPA's Ground-water Protection Strategy. New Source Performance Standards for Storage Vessels for Petroleum Liquids. TSCA health data. Pesticide registration data. TSCA chemical advisories (2 or 3 issued to date). Advisories issued by FWS and NUTS under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act. Executive Orders related to Floodpluins (11988) and Wetlands (11990) as implemented by EPA's August 6,1985, Policy on Floodplains and Wetlands Assessments for CERCLA Actions. . TSCA Compliance Program Policy. OSHA health and safety standards that may be used to protect public health (non-workplace). Health Advisories, EPA Office of Water. 2. State Standards State Requirements on Disposal and Transport of Radioactive wastes. State Approval of Water Supply System Additions or Developments. State Ground Water Withdrawal Approvals. Requirements of authorized (Subtitle C of RCRA) State hazardous waste programs. State Implementation Plans and Delegated Programs Under Clean Air Act. All other State requirements, not delegated through EPA authority. Approved State NPDES programs under the Clean Water Act. Approved State UIC programs under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Note: Many other State and local requirements could be pertinent. Forthcoming guidance will include a more comprehensive list. 3. USEPA RCRA Guidance Documents Draft Alternate Concentration Limits (ACL) Guidance. A. EPA's RCRA Design Guidelines 1. Surface Impoundments, Liners Systems, Final Cover and Freeboard Control. 2,.Waste Pile DesignLiner Systems. 3. Land Treatment Units. 4. Landfill DesignLiner Systems and Final Cover. B. Permitting Guidance Manuals 1. Permit Applicant's Guidance Manual for Hazardous Waste Land Treatment. Storage, and Disposal Facilities. 2. Permit Writer's Guidance Manual for Hazardous Waste Land Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities. 3. Permit Writer's Guidance Manual for Subpart F. 4. Permit Applicant's Guidance Manual for the General Facility Standards. 5. Waste Analysis Plan Guidance Manual. 6. Permit Writer's Guidance Manual for Hazardous Waste Tanks. 7. Model Permit Application for Existing Incinerators. 8. Guidance Manual for Evaluating Permit Applications for the Operation of Hazardous Waste Incinerator Units. 9. A guide for Preparing RCRA Permit Applications for Existing Storage Facilities. 10. Guidance Manual on Closure and Post-Closure Interim Status Standards. 12-6-85 Published by THE BUREAU OF NATIONAL AFFAIRS. INC.. Washington, D.C. 20037 73 A5.5 ------- 41:3136 FEDERAL LAWS C. Technical Resource Documents (TRDs) (1) Evaluating Cover Systems for Solid and Hazardous Waste. (2) Hydrologic Simulation of Solid Waste Disposal Sites. (3) Landfill and Surface Impoundment Performance Evaluation. (4) Lining of Water Impoundment and Disposal Facilities. (5) Management of Hazardous Waste Leachale. (6) Guide to the Disposal of Chemically Stabilized and Solidified Waste. (7) Closure of Hazardous Waste Surface Impoundments. (8) Hazardous Waste Land Treatment. (9) Soil Properties, Classification, and Hydraulic Conductivity Testing. D. Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste (1) Solid Waste Leaching Procedure Manual. (2) Methods for the Prediction of Leachate Plume Migration and Mixing. (3) Hydrologic Evaluation of Landfill Performance (HELP) Model Hydrologic Simulation on Solid Waste Disposal Sites. (4) Procedures for Modeling Flow Through Clay Liners to Determine Required Liner Thickness. (5) Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Wastes. (6) A Method for Determining the Compatibility of Hazardous Wastes. (7) Guidance Manual on Hazardous Waste Compatibility. 4. USEPA Office of Water Guidance Documents A. Pretreatment Guidance'Documents (1) 304(g) Guidance Document Revised Pretreatment Guidelines (3 Volumes) B. Water Quality Guidance Documents (1) Ecological Evaluation of Proposed Discharge of Dredged Material into Ocean Waters (1977) (2) Technical Support Manual: Waterbody Surveys and Assessments for Conducting Use Attainability Analyses (1983) (3) Water-Related Environmental Fate of 129 Priority Pollutants (1979) (4) Water Quality Standards Handbook (1983) (5) Technical Support Document for Water Quality-based Toxics Control. C. NPDES Guidance Documents (1) NPDES Best Management Practices Guidance Manual (June 1981) (2) Case studies on toxicity reduction evaluation (May 1983). D. Ground Water/UIC Guidance Document (1) Designation of a USDW (2) Elements of Aquifer Identification (3) Interim guidance for public participation (4) Definition of major facilities (5) Corrective action requirements (6) Requirements applicable to wells injecting into, through or above an aquifer which has been exempted pursuant to §146.104(b)(4). (7) Guidance for UIC implementation on Indian lands. 5. USEPA Manuals from the Office of Research and Development (1) EW 846 methodslaboratory analytic methods. (2) Lab protocols developed pursuant to Clean Water Act { 304(h). Environment Reporter A5.6 74 ------- APPENDIX B ------- APPENDIX B ENDANGERED SPECIES INFORMATION B-l Federally listed and proposed endangered and threatened species (current through January 1988) in EPA-Region II States (New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands), and B-2 Designated critical habitats (current through January 1988), B-3 Guidelines for Conducting a Biological Assessment. ------- NEW JERSEY Common Name Scientific Name Status Distribution FISHES: Shortnose Sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum Hudson and Delaware Rivers plus other Atlantic Coastal Rivers REPTILES: Green Turtle Hawksbill Turtle Leatherback Turtle Loggerhead Turtle Atlantic Ridley Turtle Chelonia mydas Eretmochelys imbricata Dermocnelys coriacea Caretta caretta Lepidochelys kempii Oceanic summer visitor coastal waters Oceanic summer visitor coastal waters Oceanic summer visitor coastal waters Oceanic summer resident coastal waters rarely nests: Cape May and Atlantic Counties Oceanic summer resident coastal waters BIRDS: BaTd Eagle American Peregrine Falcon Arctic Peregrine Falcon piping Plover Roseate Tern Haliaeetus leucocephalus E FaIco peregrinus anatun E Falco peregrinus tundrius E Charadrius roelodus T Sterna dougallii dougalli E Entire state Entire state - re-establishment to former breeding range in progress Entire state-migratory, no-nesting Coastal Counties Entire state MAMMALS; ^astern Cougar Blue Whale Finback Whale Pel is concolor cougar E Balaenoptera musculus E Balaenoptera physalus E Entire state extinct Oceanic Oceanic - probably Bl.l ------- NEW JERSEY (Cont'd.) Common Name Scientific Name Status Distribution Humpback Whale Right Whale Sei Whale Sperm Whale MOLLUSKS: None PLANTS: Small Worled Pogonia Megaptera novaeangliae E Eubalaena glacialis E Balaenoptera boreal is E Physeter catodon E Isotria medeoloides Oceanic Oceanic Oceanic Oceanic Bergen, Hunterdon, Monmouth, Passaic, Sussex, Counties B1.2 ------- NEW YORK Common Name Scientific Name Status Distribution FISHES: Shortnose Sturgeon REPTILES: Green Turtle Hawksbill Turtle Leatherback Turtle Loggerhead Turtle Atlantic Ridley Turtle Acipenser brevirostrum E Chelonia mydas Eretmochelys imbri'cata Dermochelys coriacea Caretta caretta Lepidochelys kempii Hudson River and other Atlantic Coastal rivers Oceanic summer visitor coastal waters Oceanic summer visitor coastal waters Oceanic summer resident coastal waters Oceanic summer resident coastal waters Oceanic summer resident coastal waters BIRDS: B"aTd Eagle American Peregrine Falcon Arctic Peregrine Falcon Piping Plover Roseate Tern MAMMALS: Indiana Bat Eastern Cougar Blue Whale Finback Whale Humpback Whale Right Whale Haliaeetus leucocephalus E Falco peregrinus anatum E Falco peregrinus tundrius E Charadrius me!opus T Sterna dougallii dougalli Myotis soda! is Felis concolor couguar Balaenoptera musculus Balaenoptera physalus Megaptera novaeangliae Eubalaena glacial is E E E E E E E Entire state Entire state Entire state extinct Oceanic Oceanic Oceanic Oceanic Entire state - no nesting Entire state - re-establishment to former breeding range in progress Entire state-migratory, no-nesting Primarily Long Island - probably B1.3 ------- NEW YORK (Cont'd.) Common Name Scientific Name Status Distribution Sei Whale Sperm Whale MOLLUSKS: Chittenango Ovate Amber Snail PLANTS: Northern Wild Monkshood Small Worled Pogonia Balaenoptera boreal is Physeter catodon Suiccinea oval is chittenangoensis Aconitum noveboracense Isotria medeoloides E E T T E Oceanic Oceanic Madison County Chenango, Ulster Counties Nassau, Onondaga, Rockland, Suffolk, Ulster, Washington Counties B1.4 ------- PUERTO RICO Common Name Scientific Name Status Distribution REPTILES: Giant Anole Mona Boa AnoVs roosevelti Epi crates monensis monensis E T Culebra Island Mona Island Virgin Islands Tree Boa Puerto Rico Boa Wonito Gecko Mona Ground Iguana Green Turtle Hawksbill Turtle Leatherback Turtle Loggerhead Turtle AMPHIBIANS; Golden Coqui Epicerates monensis granti E Epicrates inornatus E Sphaerodactylus E micropthecus Cyclura stejnegeri T Chelonia mydas T Eretmochelys imbricata E Dermochelys coriacea E Caretta caretta T Cayo Diablo Monito Island Mona Island Eleiitherodactylus jaspen Puerto Rico Crested Toad Peltophrayne lemur T Southeast Puerto Rico Proposed T (imminent) BIRDS; Peregrine Falcon, Arctic Palco peregrinus tundrius T Entire Island PR Parrbtt Brown Pelican PR Plain Pigeon Piping Plover PR Nightjar (formerly PR whipporwill) Yellow Shouldered Blackbird Roseate Tern Amazona vittata Pelecanus occidental is Columba inornuta wetmorei Charadrius melodus Caprimulqus noctitherus Agelaius anthonus Sterna dougallii E E E T E E E Southwest Puerto Rico dougallti B1.5 ------- PUERTO RICO (Cont'd.) Common Name Scientific Name Status Distribution MAMMALS; West Indian Manatee Fin Whale Humpback Whale Sen Whale Sperm Whale PLANTS; Beautiful Goetzea Prickly Ash Vahl's Boxwood Wheeler's Peperomia Palo de Ram6n Elfon Tree Fern Cook's Holly Trichechus manatus E Balaenoptera physalus E Megaptera novaeangliae E Balaenoptera boreal is E Physeter catodon E Goetzea elegans E Zanthoxylurn thomasianum E Boxus vahli E Peperomia wheelerii Proposed E Banara Vanderbiltii Proposed E Cyathea dryopteroides Proposed E Ilex cookii Proposed E B1.6 ------- U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS Common Name Scientific Name Status Distribution REPTILES: VI Tree Boa St. Croix Ground Lizard Green Turtle Hawksbill Turtle Leatherback Turtle Loggerhead Turtle BIRDS; Brown Pelican Roseate Tern MAMMALS: Fin Whale Humpback Whale Sei Whale Sperm Whale PLANTS: Prickly Ash Epicarates monensir E Ameiva polops E Chelonia mydas T Eretmochelys imbricata E Dermochelys coriacea E Caretta caretta T Pelecanus occidental is E Sterna dougal1i i E dougallii Balaenoptera physalus E Megaptera novaeangliae E Balaenoptera boreal is E Physeter catodon E Zanthoxylum thomasianum E East side of St. Thrmas St. Thomas, St. John B1.7 ------- LIST OF DESIGNATED CRITICAL HABITATS NEW JERSEY: NEW YORK: PUERTO RICO: None None SPECIES Giant Anole Mona Boa Monito Gecko Mona Ground Iguana Hawksbill Turtle Golden Coqui Yellow Shouldered Blackbird CRITICAL HABITAT Culebra Island, north side of Monte Resaca Mona Island in its entirety Monito Island in its entirety Mona Island in its entirety Mona Island, all areas of beachfront on the west, south, and east sides of the Island from mean high tide inland to a point 150 meters from the shore. Culebra Island, beachfront on Playa Brava, Playa Resaca, and Playa Larga. Caye Norte (off Culebra), beachfront on South Beach. Culebrita Island, all beachfront on the southwest facing shore, east facing shore, and northwest facing shore. Southeast Puerto Rico (inland), elevations above 700 meters on Cerro Avispa, Monte el Gato and Sierra de Cayey. Mona Island, in its entirety Southwest Puerto Rico, and Roosevelt Roads Naval Station B2.1 ------- VIRGIN ISLANDS: SPECIES _ CRITICAL HABITAT St. Croix Ground Lizard Green Cay, Protestant Cay, off the north coast of St. Croix. Leatherback Turtle Sandy Point Beach on +he western end of St. Croix, beachfront from mean high tide to .2 miles inland. B2.2 ------- Guidelines for Conducting a Biological Assessment (1) Conduct a scientifically sound on-site inspection of the area affected by the action. Unless otherwise directed by the Service, include a detailed survey of the area to determine if listed or proposed species are present or occur seasonally and whether suitable habitat exists within the area for either expanding the existing population or reintroducing a new population. (2) Interview recognized experts on the species listed, including those within the Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, state conservation agencies, universities and others who may have data not yet found in scientific literature. (3) Review literature and other scientific data to determine the species distribution, habitat needs, and other biological requirements. (4) Review and analyze the effects of the action on the species, in terms of individuals and population, including consideration of the cumulative effects of the action on the species and habitat. (5) Analyze alternative actions that may provide conservation measures. (6) Conduct any studies necessary to fulfill the requirements of (1) through (5) above. (7) Review any other information. Source: US Fish and Wildlife Service, Correspondence in Section 7 Consultations. B3.1 ------- APPENDIX C ------- APPENDIX C NATIONAL WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS This appendix contains an inventory (current through January 1988) of rivers in the EPA - Region II which are relevant to the Wild ard Scenic Rivers Act. (There a»e no rivers in Puerto Rico or the l.S. Virgin Islands appearing in the inventory.) The inventory has three categories: eligible, under study, and designated. The eligible category contains rivers which meet the criteria for Congressional designation for inclusion in the wild and scenic rivers system but have not as yet been studied or designated. The under study category contains rivers which are Congressionally mandated for further study by the NPS. The conclusion of each study will manifest in either Congressional designation for inclusion in the wild and scenic rivers system or removal from the eligible category. The third category contains the rivers which have been designated by Congress for inclusion in the wild and scenic rivers system. ------- ELIGIBLE RIVERS NEW JERSEY River Name Segment Reach Description De'aware River/Bay System Delaware River (including) Salem River Back Creek Dividing Creek Oranoaken Creek Nantuxent Creek Cedar Creek West Creek Dennis Creek Stow Creek Hope Creek Fishing Creek Mad Horse Creek Hackensack River (including) Berrys Creek Lamington-Black River Passaic River Passaic River Passaic River (including) Great Brook Delaware Bay to Salem Nuclear Power Plant Salem to 2 miles upstream from Courses Landing Back Creek Point to Husted Landing Mouth to Tom's Bridge Mouth to headwaters in Bear Swamp Mouth to upstream from Newport Mouth to south of Cedarville Mouth to Pickle Factory Pond Mouth to headwaters in the Great Cedar Swamp Mouth to south of Pickles Mill Mouth to headwaters Storm Inlet to Alloway Creek Neck Road Mouth to headwaters of Little and Turners Fork Creeks Penn Central R.R. crossing to south of Route 3 Confluence with the Hackensack River to south of Route 3 Confluence with the West Branch Raritan River to Randolph Two Bridges to Route 80 Cook's Bridge to the Morris Turnpike Route 78 to Osborn Mills Confluence with the Passaic River to Silver Lake C.I ------- ELIGIBLE RIVERS NEW JERSEY River Name Segment Reach Description Pine Barrens River System Batsto River (including) Penn Swamp Branch Deep Run Brook Springers Brook Skit Branch Roberts Branch Cedar Creek Cedar Creek (including) Factory Branch Cedar Creek (including) Newbolds Branch Daniels Branch Cedar Creek (including) Chamberlain Branch Webbs Mill Branch Cohansey River North Branch of the Forked River Mullica River to Hampton Confluence with Batsto River to headwaters Confluence with Batsto River to headwaters Confluence with Deep Run Brook to Indian Mill Brook Confluence with Batsto to headwaters Confluence with Skit Branch to headwaters Lanoka Harbor to Bamber Lake Route 9 crossing to the dam above Double Trouble Confluence with Cedar Creek to headwaters Transmission line crossing above Double Trouble Dam to Bamber Lake Confluence with Cedar Creek to headwaters Confluence with Cedar Creek to headwaters Bamber Lake to headwaters Bamber Lake to headwaters Confluence with Chamberlain Branch to headwaters Delaware Bay to Rogap Run Garden State Parkway to the headwaters of the Cave Cabin Branch Great Egg Harbor River Great Egg Harbor Bay to south of May's Landing Tuckahoe River Middle River Great Egg Harbor Bay to Tuckahoe Great Egg Harbor Bay to north of Corbin City C.2 ------- ELIGIBLE RIVERS NEW JERSEY River Name Segment Reach Description Great Egg Harbor River Great Egg Harbor River Mullica River (including) Ballanger Creek Bass River Nacota Creek Landing Creek Pine Creek Nescochague Creek Great Swamp Branch Albertson Brook Sleeper Branch Alquatka Branch Maurice River (including) Manusmuskin Menantico Creek E. Br. Oswego River W. Br. Oswego River Toms River (including) Long Brook Weymouth to the Atlantic City Expressway TLw Brooklyn Lake backwater to the Pa.-Reading R.R. crossing Great Bay to headwaters Confluence with Mullica to Route 9 Confluence with Mullica for 2 miles Confluence with Mullica to confluence with Mattix Confluence with Mullica to Indian Cabin Road Confluence with Mullica to reservoir below Weekstown Confluence with Mullica to Great Swamp Branch and Albertson Brook Branch Confluence with Nescochaque Creek to reservoir at Myrtle Avenue Confluence with Nescochaque Creek to Pa. Railroad Confluence with Mullica to reservoir below Route 206 Confluence with Mullica to headwaters Town of Shell pile to 3 miles north of the Laurel Lake area Confluence with Maurice to Pa. Reading Seashore Lines Entire Creek E & W Br. to Sim Place reservoir E & W Br. to near Route 563 Central railroad bridge to the bridge crossing northeast of Cassville From confluence with Toms River to headwaters C.3 ------- ELIGIBLE RIVERS NEW JERSEY River Name Segment Reach Description 'laple Root Branch Dark Branch Wading River (including) Beaver Run West Branch Tu'pehocken Creek Hospitality Brook Little Hanken Run From conflue'iCe with Toms River to confluence with Dark Branch From confluence with Maple Root Br. to headwaters Confluence with Mullica to E & W Branches Confluence with Wading to headwaters Confluence with Wading to Tulpehocken Creek Confluence with West Branch to headwaters Confluence with West Branch to Wallow Bogs Confluence with West Branch to Wallow Bogs C.4 ------- ELIGIBLE RIVERS NEW YORK River Name Segment Reach Description Allegheny River Black River (including) Independence River Otter Creek Roaring Brook Carmans River Catskill Creek Cattaraugus Creek Cattaraugus Creek Cattaraugus Creek Chautaqua Creek Chemung River Claverack Creek (including) Taghkanic Creek Clyde River Conewango Creek Chateaugay River Chateaugay River Connetquot River Deer River East Branch of the Delaware River Great Valley Creek to Townsend Hollow Carthage to Lyons Falls Confluence with the Black River to Pine Grove Rd. Confluence with the Black River to Pine Grove Rd. Confluence with the Black River to Martinsburg Long Point to the Long Island Expressway South Cairo to headwaters South of the NY State Thruway to North Gowanda Gowanda to Buttermilk Creek Buttermilk Creek to Yorkshire Route 20 Bridge in Westfield to Putnam Road West of South Corning Road to Fitch Bridge Stottville to Red Mills Confluence with Claverack Creek to headwaters West of Clyde to Creager Bridge PA border to Clear Creek near Jamestown Canadian border to the abandoned railroad line near Chateaugay Abandoned railroad line near Chateaugay to the Forge Johnson Ave. to south of the Sunrise Highway Confluence with the St. Regis River to APA boundary Harvard to Downsville East Branch Fish Creek Taeberg to headwaters C.5 ------- ELIGIBLE RIVERS NEW YORK River Name Segment Reach Description Genese River Genese River Genese River Hoosic River (including) Tomhannock Creek Hoosic River (including) Little Hoosic River Hudson River Hudson River Hudson River Kayaderosseras Creek Mohawk River Neversink River Normans Kill (including) Hunger Kill Kaikout Kill Poesten Kill Oswegatchie River Salmon River Salmon River (including) North Branch of the Salmon River NY State Thruway to Route "**> near Mount Morris Mount Morris to Portageville Portageville to Belmont Confluence with the Hudson River to Schaghticoke Confluence with the Hoosic River to the Boston- Maine railroad bridge Hoosic Falls to near North Pownal Confluence with the Hoosic River to near Petersburg North of Barrytown to south of Maiden on Hudson North of Hudson to south of Coxsackie North of Coxsackie Island to above New Baltimore One mile north of Ballston Spa to Rock City Falls North of Route 12 to Stanwix South of Cuddebackville to Rock Hill NY State Thruway to Route 146 Confluence with the Normans Kill to Kydius St. Confluence with the Hunger Kill to the headwaters pond near the City of Albany boundary West of Poesten Kill to Dyken Pond Two miles south of Heuvelton to Route 87 bridge Route 81 to Lower Reservoir Salmon Reservoir to the headwaters of the East Branch Salmon Reservoir to Gastor Pond C.6 ------- ELIGIBLE RIVERS NEW YORK River Name Segment Reach Description River Sandy Creek System Sandy Creek (including) Gulf Stream Shingle Gulf Bear Gulf Sandy Creek (including) South Sandy Creek Abijah Fox Creek Schoharie Creek Schoharie Creek Schoharie Creek (including) Batavia Kill Unadilla River Wall kill River Wappinger Creek Confluence with the North Branch to the headwaters near the county boundary East of Adams to the headwaters Confluence with Sandy Creek to the headwaters of Jacobs Creek Confluence with Sandy Creek to the headwaters east of Whitesvilie Road Confluence with Sandy Creek to headwaters north of Woodard Road Mouth at Lake Ontario to Route 81 Mouth at Lake Ontario to the headwaters at the unnamed pond on the Lewis-Jefferson County boundary Confluence with South Sandy Creek to Leepy Rd. Confluence with South Sandy Creek to the Lorraine - E. Boy>ston Rd. New York State Thruway to Esperance Near Vroman's Nose to the Blenheim-Gil boa Pump Storage Project dam Prattsville to headwaters Confluence with Schoharie to Windham Confluence with the Susquehanna River to West Edmeston Hamburg, NJ to the Merritts Island, NY area Nootemig Lake to headwaters at Thompson Pond C.7 ------- ELIGIBLE RIVERS NEW YORK (ADIRONDACK) River Name Segment Reach Description Adirondack Province River System Ampersand Brook Ausable River E. Branch Ausable River W. Branch Ausable River Black River Blue Mountain Stream Bog River (including) Round Lake Outlet Boreas River Boreas River Bouquet River (including) North Branch of the Bouquet River North Fork of the Bouquet River South Fork of the Bouquet River East Canada Creek West Canada Creek (including) South Branch of the West Canada Creek Stony Creek Ponds to Ampersand Lake Mouth at Lake Champlain to confluence of East & West Branches (Au Sable Forks) Ausable Forks to Marcy Swamp Ausable Forks to headwaters near Heart Lake Kayuta Lake to North Lake Confluence with Pleasant Lake stream to Clear Pond Tupper Lake to dam below Hitchins Pond Confluence with Bog River to Round Lake Confluence with the Hudson River to Cheney Pond Brace Dam to Boreas Pond Lake Champlain to the confluence with the North Fork Confluence with Main Branch to Trout Pond Bridge at Rte 73 to headwaters on Dial Mt. Bridge at Rte 73 to headwaters Dolgeville to headwaters near Powley Place Harvey Rd. bridge crossing to Mud Lake Confluence with West Canada Creek to headwaters C.8 ------- ELIGIBLE RIVERS NEW YORK (ADIRONDACK) River Name Segment Reach Description Cedar River Chateaugay River Cold River (including) Moose Creek Oulaska Pass Brook Deer River Grasse River North Branch of the Grasse Middle Branch of the Grasse South Branch of the Grasse Great Chazy River East Stony Creek Hudson River Independence River Indian River Indian River Indian River Jordan River Kunjamuk River Long Pond Outlet Confluence with the Hudson Ri-sr to the outlet of Cedar Lakes Park Boundary (Lower Chateaugay Lake) to Bluff Point (Upper Chateaugay) Confluence with Raquette River to Duck Hole Confluence with Cold River to Moose Pond Confluence with Cold River to headwaters Park boundary to Deer River Flow Northernmost Park boundary crossing to confluence of Middle and South Branches Park Boundary to Church Pond Confluence with the South Branch to confluence with Pleasant Lake Stream and Blue Mountain Stream Confluence with the Middle Branch to Center Pond Robideau Road Bridge to Chazy Lake Great Sacandaga Lake to Lixard Pond Confluence with the Sacandaga River to the confluence with the Opalescent Park Boundary to Little Diamond Pond Confluence with the South Branch of the Moose River to Brook Trout Lake Confluence with the Hudson River to Indian Lake Antwerp to headwaters Carry Falls Reservoir to Marsh Confluence with the Sacandaga River to South Pond Confluence with the West Branch of the St. Regis River to Long Pond C.9 ------- ELIGIBLE RIVERS NEW YORK (ADIRONDACKS) River Name Segment Reach Description Marion River Mill Creek Moose River (including) Middle Branch of the Moose River North Branch of the Moose River South Branch of the Moose River Opalescent River (including) South Branch Opalescent River/ Skylight Brook Upper & Lower Twin Brooks Osgood River Oswegatchie River Oswegatchie River (including) Middle Branch of the Oswegatchie River West Branch of the Oswegatchie River West Branch of the Oswegatchie River Otter Brook Otter Creek Raquette Lake to Utowana Lake Confluence with the. .uidson to Garnet Lake Park Boundary to the confluence with the Middle and South Branches Confluence with the South Branch to the confluence with the North Branch Confluence with the Middle Branch to Bid Moose Lake Confluence with the Middle Branch to Little Moose Lake Confluence with the Hudson River to Flowed Land Confluence with Opalescent to headwaters Confluence with Opalescent to headwaters Jones Pond Outlet to Meacham Lake Route 87 bridge to Natural Dam Wanakena to Partiow Mill Dam Confluence with the Main Branch to the headwaters near Walker Lake Fullerville dam backwater to Harrisville northern boundary Southern boundary of Harrisville to Buck Pond Confluence with the South Branch of the Moose River to Lost Pond Confluence with the Black & Big Otter Lake C.10 ------- ELIGIBLE RIVERS NEW YORK (ADIRONDACKS) River Name Segment Reach Description Piseco Lake Outlet Pleasant Lake Stream Raquette River Red River Rock River Sacandaga River (including) E. Branch of the Sacandaga River W. Branch of the Sacandaga River N. Branch of the Sacandaga River Silver Lake Outlet St. Regis River (including) West Branch of the St. Regis River West Branch of the St. Regis River East Branch of St. Regis River Salmon River Saranac River (including) North Branch of the Saranac River Confluence with the West Branch of the Sacandaga to State Route 10 Confluence with the Middle Branch of the Grasse River to Pleasant Lake Confluence with Carry Falls Reservoir (Jamestown Falls) to the outlet of Raquette Lake Confluence with the South Branch of the Moose River to headwaters Confluence with the Cedar River to Lake Durant Great Sacandaga Lake inlet to Lake Pleasant outlet Confluence with the main branch to Botheration Pond Confluence with the main branch to headwaters near Silver Lake Mountain Confluence with the West Branch to headwaters (Canary Pond) Confluence with the West Branch of the Sacandaga to Silver Lake Brasher Falls to Lower St. Regis Lake Confluence with the main branch at Winthrop to Allen Falls Reservoir Parishville to headwaters at Little Fish Pond Confluence with the main Branch above Santa Clara to headwaters at Mecham Lake Park Boundary to Elbow Ponds Bridge crossing south of Elsinore to Upper Saranac Lake outlet Confluence with the main branch to Mud Pond C.ll ------- ELIGIBLE RIVERS NEW YORK (ADIRONDACKS) River Name Segment Reach Description Schroon River (including) The Branch Thirteenth Brook Trout Brook West Stony Creek Confluence with the Hudson River to the outlet of the former Deadwater Pond Confluence with Schroon River to Elk Lake Confluence with Hudson River to Thirteenth Lake Pottersville to Olmstedville Confluence with the Sacandaga River to Peck's Lake C.12 ------- DESIGNATED RIVERS New Jersey River Name Segment Reach Description Middle Delaware River Northern b.jndary of the Delaware Water Gap Recreational Area to southern boundary (35 miles) DESIGNATED RIVERS New York River Name Segment Reach Description Middle Delaware River Upper Delaware River Northern boundary of the Delaware Water Gap Recreational Area to southern boundary (35 miles) Confluence of the East and West Branches of the Delaware River, below Hancock to the existing RR bridge immediately downstream of Cherry Island in the vicinity of Sparrow Bush (75.4 miles) UNDER STUDY RIVERS New Jersey River Name Segment Reach Description Great Egg Harbor River Maurice River Manumuskin River Menantico Creek entire river Town of Shell pile to 3 miles north of the Laurel Lake area Confluence of the Maurice River to State Route 49 Confluence of the Maurice River to its source at the Panther and Cedar Branches. C.13 ------- APPENDIX D ------- APPENDIX D LIST OF COASTAL BARRIERS IN EPA - REGION II (current through January 1988) ------- New Jersey; None New York: Fisher's Island Asharoken Setauket Setauket Shelter Island East Hampton Town East Hampton Town Gardiner's Island Amagansett Southampton Fire Island Fire Island Fisher Island Barriers Eaton's i'ieck Crane Neck Old Field Beach Shelter Island Barriers Sammy's Beach Acabonack Harbor Gardiner's Island Barriers Napeague Mecox Southampton Beach Tiana Beach Length (Miles) 0.9 0.8 0.7 2.2 2.3 0.8 2.1 6.9 0.9 0.6 1.4 1.4 Area (Acres) 41 "7 148 410 218 353 172 1,600 214 100 549 793 TOTAL Puerto Rico; None U.S. Virgin Islands: 21 4,635 None D.I ------- APPENDIX E ------- APPENDIX E LIST OF WILDERNESS AREAS (Current through January 1988) ------- New Jersey: 1. Portion of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Reguge 2. Portion of Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, Brigantine Division 3. Portion of Edwin 6. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge, Barnegat Division Area: 3,660 acres Location; Basking Ridge/ Morristown 6,000 acres Oceanville 256 acres Barnegat New York: None Puerto Rico: None U.S. Virgin Islands; None E.I ------- ------- APPENDIX F SIGNIFICANT AGRICULTURAL LANDS INFORMATION F-l Significant Agricultural Lands as Defined by EPA Policy. F-2 Farmland Conversion Impact Rating Form (AD 1006). ------- SIGNIFICANT AGRICULTURAL LANDS As Defined by EPA Policy 1. Prime farmland is land with the best combination of characteris- tics capable of economically proJucing sustained high yields of when managed. While based on a variety of site characte- ristics, the key to these lands is "high productivity." 2. Unique farmland is land other than prime farmland that is used for production of specific high value food or fibre crops. Examples of such crops are cranberries, fruits, vegetables, and tree nuts. 3. Additional land of statewide importance is land which, with proper treatment or management, may produce crops of high yield. These lands are individually identified by each state. Lands of this type may produce as high a yield as "prime" lands but may have severe limitations which reduce the choice of plants of that require very careful management, or both. 4. Additional farmland of local importance is land not identified as having Statewide or National importance but, due to a range of factors, has local significance. These lands are identified by the local agencies concerned. Examples include agricultural lands owned by a town and leased back to fanners as a conserva- tion district. 5. Farmlands in or continuous to environmentally sensitive areas (CSAs) such as floodplains, wetlands, aquifer recharge zones or natural scientific study areas; these farmlands play a crucial environmental buffer role to prevent development encroachment on ESAs. The lands, in many cases, are categorically included in land types 1-4. 6. Farmlands of waste utilization importance which may serve in the land treatment process, be used for composting activities or for controlled beneficial application of sewage sludges or other wastes. 7. Farmland with significant capital investments in Best Management Practices (BMPs) which serve as elements of an area's (or state's soil erosion and non-point source pollution control plans. These lands are included so as not to interfere with the investments other agencies have made in programs, such as USDA, SCS erosion control projects or 208' area-wide management programs. Fl.l ------- U.S. Department of Agriculture FARMLAND CONVERSION IMPACT RATING J 1 (To be completed by Federal Agency) RT 1 1 (To be completed by SCS) Date Of Land Evaluation Request Federal Agency Involved County And State Date Request Received By SCS Does the. site contain prime, unique, statewide or local important farmland? Yes No llf no, the FPPA does not apply do not complete additional parts of this form). D D MejorCropW ; -. ,'.,;;.'; V .^^^V'^V ' Mime Of Lend Evaluation System Used , .-, '^ FarmabJe Land In Govt. Jurisdiction :. . < v Name Of Local She Atsesament System* : RT III (To be completed by Federal Agency) A. Total Acres To Be Converted Directly B. Total Acres To Be Converted Indirectly C. Total Acres In Site RT IV (TobtcompTetedbySCS). Unrf Evrtuatibnlnformatlon /'V?--;vrv A. Total Acres Prime And Unique Farmland' ' : "-":. -,>.. , : - 5. Total Acres Statewide And Local Important Farmland : - : ' «. , '«: C: Percentage Of Farmland In County Or Local Govt Unit To Be Converted D. Percentage Of Farmland In Govt. Jurisdiction With Sam* Or Higher Relative Value IRT V (To be completed by SCS) Land. Evaluation Criterion . , ;./.;;- Relative Value Of Farmland To Be Converted (Scale of 0 to 100 Points) ' ST VI (To be completed by Federal Agency) \sse*sment Criteria (Thttf critma «/> txplfinud in 7 CFR 6S8.Slbl 1. Area In Nonurban Use 2. Perimeter In Nonurban Use 3. Percent Of Site Being Farmed 4. Protection Provided By State And Local Government 5. Distance From Urban Builtup Area 6. Distance To Urban Support Services 7. Size Of Present Farm Unit Compared To Average 8. Creation Of Nonfarmable Farmland 9. Availability Of Farm Support Services 10. On-Farm Investments 11. Effects Of Conversion On Farm Support Services 12. Compatibility With Existing Agricultural Use TOTAL SITE ASSESSMENT POINTS iRT VI 1 (To be completed by Federal Agency) Relative Value Of Farmland (From Part V) Total Site Assessment (From Part VI above or a local u'te assessment/ TOTAL POINTS (Total of above 2 lines) te Selected: Maximum Points 160 100 160 260 Acres Irrigated Average Farm Size Amount Of Farmland As Defined in FPPA * ' ' . *A" *'''' ' ' '--- V» -r ' "»* ' - ACTBSl -' ""'* * ' ':- *' - *-"'*.' -- 70 '* Date Land Evaluation Returned By SCS Alternetive Site Rating Site A :;v?W&:':- .?;-;-.-.".,. *.- :;-.*.', »..-.>.:;",>-^.; ' " ' "!. .. .. . ': . - ''.'.:'> '.'. 7v;V:/.'--t."-"; Date Of Selection SiteB cr&^:;^:; -. ':;.:.; ... £ :'.- ;^..,..-.-; .. .v: . ..-:...... . ..... .-.-.-.. ... -::-;^^ ;".-' SiteC '''?*%- Xy'S'S.-- .:.- -''.' ; .-. '.;- .-.-' . '- -;.. -.'".''* ' .'. ' '**' SiteD '.-":-: ;. -;': ;' :.-,-. '- Was A Local Site Assessment Used? Yes D No D i For Selection: F2.1 r»₯»rse tidi) Form ADO 006 ,10-83) ------- STEPS IN THE PROCESSING THE FARMLAND AND CONVERSION IMPACT RATING FORM Step 1 Federal agencies involved in proposed projects that may convert farmland, as defined in the Farmland Protection Policy Act (FPPA) to nonagricultural uses, will initially complete Parts I and III of the form. Step 2 - Originator will send copies A, B and C together with maps indicating locations of site(s), to the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) local field office and retain copy 0 for their files. (Note: SCS has a field office in most counties in the U.S. The field office is usually located in the county seat. A list of field office locations are available from the SCS State Conservationist in each state). Step 3 - SCS will, within 45 calendar days after receipt of form, make a determination as to whether the site(s) of the pro- posed project contains prime, unique, statewide or local import: _t farmland. Step 4 - In cases where farmland covered by the FPPA will be converted by the proposed project, SCS field offices will com- plete Parts II, IV and V of the form. Step 5 - SCS will return copy A and B of the form to the Federal agency involved in the project. (Copy C will be retained for SCS records). Step 6 - The Federal agency involved in the proposed project will complete Parts VI and VII of the form. Step 7 - The Federal agency involved in the proposed project will make a determination as to whether the proposed conver- sion is consistent with the FPPA and the agency's internal policies. INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE FARMLAND CONVERSION IMPACT RATING FORM Part I: In completing the "County And State" questions list all. the local governments that are responsible for local land controls where site(s) are to be evaluated. Part III: tn completing item B (Total Acres To 3e Converted Indirectly), include the following: 1. Acres not being directly converted but that would no longer be capable of being fanned after the conver- sion, because ihe conversion would restrict access to them. 2. Acres planned to receive services from an infrastructure project as indicated in the project justification (e.g. highways, utilities) that will cause a direct conversion. Part VI: Do not complete Part VI if a local site assessment is used. Assign the maximum points for each site assessment criterion as shown in §658.5(b) of CFR. In cases of corridor-type projects such as transportation, powerline and flood control, criteria #5 and #6 will not apply and will be weighed zero, however, criterion #8 will be weighed a maximum of 25 points, and criterion #11 a maximum of 25 points. individual Federal agencies at the national level, may assign relative weights among the 12 site assessment criteria other than those shown in the FPPA rule, in all cases where other weights are assigned, relative adjust- ments must be made to maintain the maximum total weight points at 160. In rating alternative sites, Federal agencies shall consider each of the criteria and assign points within the limits established in the FPPA rule. Sites most suitable for protection under these criteria will receive the highest total scores, and sites least suitable, the lowest scores. Part VII: In computing the "Total Site Assessment Points", where a State or local site assessment is used and the total maximum number of points is other than 160, adjust the site assessment points to a base of 160. Example: if the Site Assessment maximum is 200 points; and alternative Site "A" is rated 180 points: Total points assigned Site A = 180 x 160 = 144 points for Site "A." Maximum points possible 200 F2.2 ------- APPENDIX G ------- APPENDIX 6 NATURAL RESOURCE TRUSTEE INFORMATION G-l Trustee Notification Form. G-2 MOD Between EPA and DOI for the Preliminer> Katural Resource Sirveys, December 4, 1987. ------- S UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION II 26 FEDERAL PLAZA NEW YORK NEW YORK 10278 Notification of Federal Natural Resource Trustees dtv Count,. _ , State.Cw.Terr. OteraMe Unit Name - 001 - Regional Environmental Officer u>v iKatimfchKt a> C Anita niller. Mid-Atlantic Region <7K.<7 (FTS-597-537S) 200 Chestnut Street, Room 502 Philadelphia. Pa 19106 or D Bill Patterson. Northeast Reoion (NY) (FTS-835-6856) Poston Federal Office Building 10 Causeway Street Room 1022 Boston, Mass. 02222 or D Jim Lee. Southeast Region (P R ,V i > (FTS-242-4524* Pussel Federal Building. Suite 1320 75 Spring Street S.W. Atlanta, Georgia 30303 and DOC - NuAA Coastal Resource Coordinator Thor Cutler. EPA Region 2 (FTS-264-6325) 26 Federal Plaza, Room 734 New York City, New York 10278 - Project Manager: Phone: Chief: Section: Phone:_ 1 ) in accordance with Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, $104 (b)(2) ano ?122'.J), th EP^ provides notification of the following (chert on? D) D Potential damages to natural resources mav result from releases under investigation at the subject site, as determined from ongoing assessments or investigations. (S104(b)(2) SAPA) D YOU are encouraged to participate in the upcoming negotiations as vou deem aoproDnate EPA intends to initiate negotiations with potentially responsible parties about the subject site, such that thev mav conduct or finance a _ at the site .( S 1 221 j ) SARA ) iremeaw protess} G A request for preliminary decisions on a covenant not to sue for natural resources, or an all claims release. Gl.l ------- UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION II 26 rEDERAL PLAZA NEW YORK. NEW YORK 10278 2) 5TAOE OF ACT ION- "draft or Dfinal G Preliminary assessment/ D site investigation or D ESI (extended site investigation) D immediate Removal D Expedited Response Action Q Work Plan D Renedia1 investigation D Endanqerment Assessment D Feasibility Study D POD DRD Q RA ACTION REQUESTED OF TRUSTEE. SEPARATE OPERABLE UNITS? (name + description) 3)RESPONSE CATEGORY G fund 0 enforcement PRP. LEAD: D Federal D State D Fed Facility 4) D DOCUMENTS ATTACHED (three copies to DOI. three copies to DOC) List names of document?' 5) if trie following information is not contained in the attached documents, please provide LOCATION US6S quad map w/location of site and directions to site (Quad name) 1-ITE EXPOSURE ROTENTI.ALCcopy exec, summary,EP!C,or relevant doc.) CHEMICAL HAZARDS and history of releases'! copy appropriate table; .lists; G1.2 ------- Memorandum of Understanding Between The Environmental Protection Agency and The Department of the Interior PRELIMINARY NATURAL RESOURCE SURVEYS Purpose The Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) agree that this memorandum of understanding is necessary to support federal enforcement actions pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (CERCLA), 42 USC Section 9601, et seg. . DOI will assist the United States in reaching comprehensive settlements of all Federal claims under CERCLA by conducting surveys at hazardous waste sites of natural resources for which DOI acts as trustee. 2. Authority CERCLA Section 104(b) and Executive Order 12580, Section 2(g), authorize EPA to conduct investigations of releases or threats of releases of hazardous substances into the environment and other necessary information gathering to enforce the provisions of CERCLA. CERCLA section 107(f) (2) (A) authorizes the President to designate Federal officials to act as natural resource trustees on behalf of the public. Executive Order 12580, Section 1 (c) (4), and the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP), Subpart G (40 CFR Part 300), designate the Secretary of the Interior as among those Federal officials who shall act as trustee. 3. Related Provisions Sections 104 and 122 of CERCLA require EPA to notify trustees of potential damages to natural resources resulting from releases under investigation; to coordinate EPA's assessments, investigations and planning with trustees; and to notify., trustees of, and to encourage trustees to participate in, negotiations of settlements at sites where there is the potential for damages to natural resources. EPA agrees to implement these coordination provisions with DOI. The parties will address the coordination provisions subsequent to the signing of this agreement. G2.1 ------- 4. Scope Under the authority of Sections 106, 107, and 122 of CERCLA, the United states may actively pursue the settlement of claims against persons responsible for releases of hazardous substances into the environment. Such settlements may include covenants not to sue responsible paries under CERCLA with respect to the release of a hazardous substanc** ":hat is the subject of the settlement. The United States may provide a covenant not to sue for damages to natural resources if the Federal trustee of the affected resources gives written consent. DOI is responsible for determining whether to grant responsible parties a covenant not to sue for damages to natural resources for which it acts as trustee or co-trustee. Under this memorandum, DOI will conduct preliminary natural resource surveys of sites under investigation or negotiation by EPA and will notify EPA whether or not resources under its trusteeship may 'e dam:, jed or threatened. The Department of Justice (DOJ) would not include in any settlement agreement(s) a covenant not to sue for natural resource damages unless DOI so authorizes in writing. EPA agrees to reimburse DOI for the EPA approved costs of assembling data regarding potentially affected natural resources, if any, and providing such information to EPA in a format appropriate for the enforcement action. None of the funds provided under this agreement shall be used to plan or conduct natural resource damage.assessments or restorations. 5. Priorities EPA's Office of Waste programs Enforcement (OWPE) will identify to DOI's Office of Environmental Project Review (OEPR), as early as possible, any sites under investigation for enforcement or subject to negotiation/ whether planned or ongoing, where there roay be damages to natural resources under DOI's trusteeship. EPA's Regional project Officers (RPOs) will work with the appropriate DOI Regional Environmental Officers (REOs) to determine which 'hazardous waste sites so identified may require Preliminary natural resource surveys. EPA's RPOs, working with DOI's REOs, will establish a priority list of sites needing such surveys. EPA's RPOs may amend the priority list of requested surveys periodically. OEPR will plan to conduct preliminary surveys for the sites in the order of priority identified in the regional lists. The EPA regional contact, in consultation with the appropriate DOI Regional Environmental Officer (RED), may Propose changes in the priority of sites within that region. OEPR will notify the OWPE of any proposed changes. G2.2 ------- 6. Work Plans OEPR will submit a work plan to the appropriate EPA RPO and to OWPE detailing the scope of activity to be performed, the schedule for such activity, and the cost o! each survey. The plan will be subnr^.ed no later than thirty (30) days after the establishment of the priority list for preliminary surveys. If the 30-day limit cannot be met, OEPR.will notify OWPE, in writing, of the cause of delay and the estimated additional time necessary for completion. OEPR will not commence any activity in the work plan until the EPA RPO has notified OEPR in writing that the work plan is acceptable, unless an emergency arises and either party seeks initiation as soon as feasible. EPA's notification will state a maximum amount of reimbursement that will be allowed for each survey included in the work plan. The EPA RPO will make this notification within (30) days of receiving the work plan. OEPR may propose a revised work plan on the basis of the RPO-approved reimbursement. DOI will be entitled to reimbursement from EPA beyond the maximum specified in the approved work plan, if an amendment to the work plan is agreed upon/ in writing, by the EPA RPO and OWPE. 7. Schedule OEPR will normally complete a preliminary natural resource survey within sixty (60) days of the scheduled starting date established in the work plan. If the schedule cannot be met, OEPR will notify the EPA RPO, in writing, of the cause of delay and the estimated additional time necessary for completion. OEPR should contact the EPA RPO at least fifteen (15) days before the end of the initial 60-day period if additional time is necessary. By mutual agreement, EPA may request, and DOI may conduct, a preliminary survey on an expedited schedule. 8. Survey Procedures OEPR will conduct preliminary natural resource surveys according to its own procedures and the approved work plan. OWPE will identify EPA's RPOs who will, upon request, provide DOI's REOs with information and assistance on preliminary surveys, including all relevant technical documents, draft and final endangerment assessments, remedial investigations and feasibility studies (RI/FS) and remedial designs, covering all project segments, whether proposed by EPA or by responsible parties. Surveys will be locally directed, whenever feasible, by DOI's REOs. OEPR may also coordinate with other trustees in conducting preliminary surveys when appropriate. G2.3 ------- 9. Reports and Documentation of Covenants Not to Sue Within thirty (30) days of completion of each preliminary natural resource survey, OEPR shall submit to the EPA RPO and to OWPE a summary report that includes a determination of the potential for damages to natural resources under DOI trusteeship, the basis for that conclusion, and a clear indication of any conditions DOI might request prior to agreeing to a covenant not to sue for natural resource damages. OEPR will provide this information to the extent possible based on information available at the time of the survey. OEPR may request additional information if necessary to enable DOI to respond to OWPE. Information on DOI's position concerning potential natural resource damages shall remain confidential. DOI will maintain a file of findings of fact in support of this summary report. The summary report shall be protected under the principles of deliberative process, attorney-client, and work-product. DOJ or DOI may represent DOI's position in negotiations with responsible parties. DOI may agree to a written covenant not to sue for natural resource damages, when requested. DOI may propose modifications of the proposed remedial measure or Record of Decision as a term or condition before agreeing to a covenant not to sue. Each DOI report will contain the EPA site identification number and site name. Where modifications of a proposed remedial measure are required, EPA will consult DOI throughout the actual implementation of such measures. OWPE and OEPR will serve as the contacts for issues related to this agreement. DOI's agreement with the terms of settlement or agreement to grant a release from natural resource damages, or decision not to grant such a release, will be conveyed by letter from the Solicitor of the Department of the Interior to the Assistant Attorney General for Natural Resources of the Department of Justice. 10. Reimbursement Survey costs will be reimbursed on a site-specific basis through an Inter-Agency Agreement (IAG). The allocations will be based on OEPR's approved work plans and cost estimates, and will serve as OEPR's budget for preliminary'surveys. OEPR will be reimbursed for allowable preliminary survey costs when they are incurred in accordance with an EPA approved work Plan. The following is a list of allowable costs which are reimbursable by the Fund: G2.4 ------- a) Contractors and consulting costs; b) lease or rental equipment; c) supplies, materials, and equipment (including transportation costs) procured for a specific survey and expended during a survey; d) use of DOI equipment including vehicles ~nd fuel; e) DOI salaries, travel and per diem expenses directly related to a survey and not otherwise reimburseable by Superfund under any other agreement between DOI and EPA. Reimbursement will be made within forty-five (45) days after a survey is completed and the EPA RPO has received the report referred to in paragraph 9 of this agreement. EPA may allow a follow-up survey under this agreement for those sites where the findings of the initial preliminary survey are insufficient for DOI to determine whether to agree to a covenant not to sue. A follow-up survey would typically occur during the Remedial Design/Remedial Action (RD/RA) negotiations and include a review of the Ri/FS. The costs for the follow-up survey would be incremental to those incurred under the initial survey and must be approved by the EPA RPO prior to its initiation. H Accounting Requirements EPA, acting as manager of the Hazardous Substance Superfund, requires current information on CERCLA response actions and the related obligations of CERCLA funds for these actions. DOI will submit to EPA a request for reimbursement as specified in the IAG. Such a request will include itemized accounting of all reimbursable costs incurred while conducting each survey. is required to keep detailed financial accounts of all costs incurred. These accounts should include, but are not limited to employee hours spent; receipts for materials, equipment or supplies; travel and per diem expenses; and contract fees. All accounts shall be maintained on a site-specific basis. Detailed documentation on all preliminary survey costs must also be available for audit, verification, or request of EPA's Inspector General . G2.5 ------- 12, Coordination of Investigations and Negotiations By other means the parties will specify how OWPE and OEPR will notify each other of and coordinate their assessments, investigations, and planning. In addition, EPA and DOI will agree how OWPE will provide DOI notice of, and opportunity to participate in, negotiations with responsible parties at identified sites to facilitate resolution of resource-related concerns through further investigations, governmental requests for relief and the development of negotiating positions. 13. Period of Agreement This memorandum shall take effect immediately upo'n signature of the parties and shall apply to all sites regardless of their status as planned or pending. It shall continue in effect until modified or amended by the assent of both parties or terminated by either party upon a 30-day written notice. This agreement will be reviewed by the parties every two years from its effective date or whenever CERCLA may be further amended. -Jr Winston Porter / Assistant Administrator for Solid Waste and Emergency Response Environmental Protection Agency Joseph W. Gorrell Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Policy Budget and Administration Department of the Interior / i Date: //"£ /' / i Date: Gene Lucero Director, Office of Waste Programs Enforcement Environmental Protection Agency Bruce Blanchard Director, Office of Environmental Project Review Department of the Interior Date: Date: G2.6 ------- APPENDIX H ------- APPENDIX H CONTACTS (current as of January 1988) ------- CONTACTS Agencies: JJ.S. Department of Interior Regional Environmental Offices. . Department of the Interior 10 Causeway St., Room 1022 Boston, MA 02222 (for NY) (617) 565-6856 FTS: . Department of the Interior Custom House, Room 502 200 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19106 (for NJ) (215) 597-5378 FTS: 835-6856 597-5378 Department of the Interior Suite 1320, Russell Federal Building 75 Spring Street, SW Atlanta, GA 30303 (for Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands) (404) 331-4524 FTS: 242-4524 Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Offices: . US Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service One Gateway Center Suite 700 Newton, Corner, MA 02158 (for NY & NJ) (617) 965-5100 FTS: 829-9200 Fish and Wildlife Service, Field Offices: . Fish and Wildlife Service P.O. Box 534 705 White Horse Pike Absecon, New Jersey 08201 (609) 646-9310 Fish and Wildlife Service Division of Ecological Services 100 Grange Place Cortlandl New York 13045 (607) 753-9334 Fish and Wildlife Service Richard Russell Federal Building 75 Spring Street, SE Atlanta, GA 30303 (for Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands) (404) 331-3588 FTS: 242-3588 Fish and Wildlife Service P.O. Box 510 Boqueron, Puerto Rico 00622 (809) 833-5760 Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Office 274 Art Museum Drive Jacksonville, FL 32207 (904) 791-2580 FTS: 946-2580 H.I ------- U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service 143 South Third Street Philadelphia, PA 19106 (215) 597-3503 FTS: 597-3503 U.S. Department of Commerce National Marine Fisheries Service Offices; . National Marine Fisheries Service Environmental Assessment Branch 7 Pleasant Street Gloucester, MA 01930 (617) 281-3600 Office of Coastal Zone Management Herbert Hoover Building 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20230-0001 (202) 634-4132 National Marine Fisheries Service Environmental Assessment Branch Duval Building 9450 Gandy Street St. Petersburg, Florida 33702 (813) 893-3141 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Division Offices: North Atlantic Division 90 Church Street New York, New York 10278 (212) 264-0222 [also contact appropriate district office] U.S. Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service Offices: . Soil Conservation Service State Conservationist 1370 Hamilton Street P.O. Box 219 Somerset, New Jersey 08873 (201) 526-2701 South Atlantic Division 510 Title Building 30 Pryor Street, S.W. Atlanta, Georgia 30303 (404) 331-6715 Soil Conservation Service State Conservationist 100 Clinton Street Syracuse, New York (315) 469-5034 H.2 ------- . Soil Conservation Service Caribbean Area Office Federal Office Building San Juan, Puerto Rico 00917 (809) 753-4206 (809) 753-2851 Forest Service Office: . Forest Service Regional Forester 1720 Peachtree Road, NW Atlanta, 6A 30367 (404) 347-4177 Federal Emergency Management Agency Insurance and Mitigation Branch 26 Federal Plaza New York, New York 10278 (212) 264-8980 Commissions: Delaware River Basin Commission Box 7360 West Trenton, NJ 08628 (609) 883-9500 Pinelands Commission P.O. Box 7 New Lisbon, New Jersey (609) 894-9342 08064 State Agencies: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of Fish, Game and Shell fisheries P.O. Box 1809 Trenton, New Jersey 08625 (609) 292-2965, 5546 Division of Coastal Resources P.O. Box 1889 Trenton, New Jersey 08625 (609) 292-2795 Division of Water Resources P.O. Box CN-029 Trenton, New Jersey 08625 (609) 292-2203 H.3 ------- Office of New Jersey Heritage Room 707 Labor and Industry Building John Fitch Plaza Trenton, NJ 08625 (609) 292-2023, 2121 New Jersey Department of State New Jersey State Museum Bureau of Archaeology and Ethnology 215 West State Street Trenton, NJ 08625 (609) 292-8594, 6300 New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Fish and Wildlife Delmar, New York 12054 (518) 439-7486 Division of Flood Control South Wolf Road Albany, New York 12223 (518) 457-3157 Cultural Resources Section, Room 432 Construction Grants Management Division 50 Wolf Road Albany, New York 12233-0001 (518) 457-3891 New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Division of Historic Preservation Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Agency Building #1, 13th Floor Empire State Plaza Albany, New York 12238 (518) 474-0479 New York Department of State Coastal Management Program State of New York Albany, New York 12231 (518) 474-8834 Puerto Rico Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources P.O. Box 5887 Puerto de Tierra San Juan, Puerto Rico 00906 (809) 724-8774 H.4 ------- Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board 204 del Parque Santurce, Puerto Rico 00907 (809) 725-3708 Puerto Rico Office of Cultural Affairs Office of Historic Preservation P.O. Box 82 San Juan, Puerto Rico 00901 (809) 721-3737 Virgin Islands Department of Conservation and Cultural Affairs Division of Natural Resources P.O. Box 4399 St. Thomas, VI 00801 (809) 774-3320 Division of Coastal Zone Management P.O. Box 4340 St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 00801 (809) 774-3320 Division of Fish and Wildlife P.O. Box 4339 St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 00801 (809) 775-6762 Bureau of Libraries and Museums Box 390 St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 00801 (809) 774-3407 Unit for Archaeology and Historic Preservation State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) 129-133 Sub Base Chinnery Building St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 00802 (809) 774-7859 H.5 ------- |