Consider climate vulnerabilities at Superfund sites. Climate Threat(s): Overarching Goal(s): Performance Goal(s): LTPG 1 us LTPG 2 LTPG 3 Activity Timeframe: FY24 FY25 FY26 Climate Vulnerability A range of potential vulnerabilities will be addressed by this action. Ensuring that actions taken in the Superfund program remain protective includes evaluating climate vulnerabilities from a range of impacts such as sea-level rise, storm and flood events, increased ambient temperatures. Action Description: SEMD will create a divisional Standard Operating Procedure which will describe how to consider, evaluate, and document potential climate vulnerabilities throughout the Superfund process (I.e.: site investigations, removal and remedial activities and five-year reviews). This action will build upon existing tools and resources such as OLEM Climate Vulnerability Assessments, climate adaptation guidance from OLEM and the regional climate mapping tool. Part of this priority action will include developing template language to use in the development of a Statement of Work for Superfund activities. Metric(s): • Launch divisional workgroup-FY22 • Number of workgroup meetings tracked -FY22/23 • Evaluate existing and any new SOPs/ guidance/ BMPs from OLEM- FY 22/23 • If appropriate develop divisional tool FY23 Project Challenges: Resourcing issues and staff capacity to participate. Adoption at enforcement led projects and federal facilities. Co-benefits: Allow for more resilient and adaptable remedies to be identified and implemented; potential for more positive impacts to surrounding communities in addressing climate vulnerabilities. Owner Email: Mohollen.Laura (a)epa.pov; Kennedy.Cathie en(a)epa.aov New Work? Yes Resources Available? Yes Science Needs Science needs previously identified by SEMD include science and tools needed to map, predict and prepare for climate vulnerabilities at Superfund sites, and ecological impacts, (see Chapter 9) 72 ------- Additional Narrative: The National Contingency Plan dictates that potential site remedies are evaluated by nine criteria (outlined in 40 CFR 300.430(e)(9)(iii)). The evaluation considers both short- and long-term protectiveness of human health and the environment, and as such climate vulnerabilities should be considered when evaluating options for remedy selection. In addition, at Superfund sites where there are contaminants left in place or during an ongoing remedial action, a Five-Year Review is conducted to evaluate protectiveness, including vulnerabilities and impacts from a changing climate. Documenting these evaluations will ensure that any new or previously unidentified climate vulnerabilities are adequately assessed and tools such as EPA Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM) 2014 Technical Fact Sheets and the Greener Cleanup Principals will be identified and considered in the evaluations. With the above action, EPA Region III plans to more consistently and explicitly consider climate into all phases of evaluating and addressing remedial and removal sites. 73 ------- |