UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D C. 20460
['EC I 3 W\C\Q
OFFICE OF
SOlD WASTE AND EMERGENCY
RESPONSE
MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:
FROM:
TO:
PURPOSE
The purpose of this memorandum is to request that Regions
consult with Headquarters on sites where remediation goals are to
be developed for dioxin in soil. This request is being made as a
result of the discussion on dioxin with Superfund National Policy
Managers at the Lead, Dioxin and PCB meeting in Chicago on
November 22, 1996. The Office of Emergency and Remedial
Response, the Office of Site Remediation Enforcement and the
Office of Federal Facilities Restoration and Reuse Office have
agreed that this consultation policy for dioxin sites is
applicable to all Fund and potentially responsible party(PRP)-
lead sites, including other Federal agency-lead and State-lead
sites, for which a Record of Decision (ROD) or ROD Amendment is
being developed, or for Explanation of Significant Differences
(ESD) in those cases where cleanup levels are altered by an ESD.


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Headquarters Consultation for Dioxin Sites
Stephen D. Luftig, Director	^7/1
Office of Emergency and Remedial Response (/
Director, Office of Site Remediation and Restoration
EPA New England
Director, Emergency and Remedial Response Division
Region II
Director, Hazardous Waste Management Division
Regions III, IX
Director, Waste Management Division
Region IV
Director, Superfund Division
Regions V, VI, VII
Assistant Regional Administrator, Office of Ecosystems
Protection and Remediation
Region VIII
Director, Environmental Cleanup Office
Region X
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The status of the Agency's Dioxin Reassessment, which is
expected to be completed by mid-1997, and the implications of the
Reassessment on Superfund dioxin decisions, were discussed at the
Superfund National Policy Managers meeting in Chicago on
November 22, 1996. A Superfund dioxin workgroup has recently
been established to evaluate the implications of the Reassessment
on the Superfund program and determine the need for additional
guidance when the Reassessment is completed.
As a means of assisting the Superfund dioxin workgroup in
evaluating the Reassessment and in order to promote national
consistency, consultation with Headquarters is being requested
for all sites where remediation goals are to be developed for
dioxin in soil, regardless of whether dioxin itself drives the
decision-making process.
The Office of Emergency and Remedial Response plans to
undertake an initiative in FY 97 to update and consolidate
Headquarters/Regional consultation requirements for response
decision-making. These requirements were last presented in an
October 8, 1993, memorandum from then Deputy Assistant
Administrator Richard Guimond to Regional Administrators entitled
"Twenty-Fifth Remedy Delegation Report - FY 1994." The goal of
the current initiative will be to revise the consultation
criteria to reflect changes in policy due to recent Superfund
reforms, other initiatives, and new understandings in science and
technology. The anticipated level of consultation within
Headquarters and the Regions will also be revised to reflect
changes in organizational structure and delegation of authority.
This dioxin consultation policy will be considered as well.
IMPLEMENTATION
Regional management should consult on all proposed Fund and
PRP-lead, including other Federal agency-lead and State-lead site
decisions involving dioxin contamination, with the appropriate
OERR Regional Center Directors prior to issuing a proposed plan
for public comment. The Office of Site Remediation Enforcement
will provide support if enforcement issues are identified.
Questions regarding which sites need consultation or regarding
the consultation process should be addressed to Marlene Berg at
(703) 603-8701. I appreciate your assistance in this matter.
cc: Tim Fields, OSWER
Barry Breen, OSRE
Jim Woolford, FFRRO
Craig Hooks, FFEO
Earl Salo, OGC
Bruce Means, OERR

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cc: David Bennett, OERR
Dave Evans, OERR
Betsy Shaw, OERR
Paul Nadeau, OERR
Tom Sheckells, OERR
John Cunningham, OERR
Murray Newton, OERR
Gershon Bergeisen, OERR
Elmer Akin, Region 4
Dwain Winters, OPPTS

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