Coordination of Response Activities with Restoration of Natural-Resource Injuries under CERCLA at DOD Sites

Abstract

The Department of Defense (DOD) is proactively acting as a natural resource trustee to address injuries to natural resources during response under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). Taking the leadership role as lead agent and natural resource trustee improves environmental protectiveness standards in remedies while realizing more efficient, cost-effective data collection to meet interrelated goals. Coordinating timely stakeholder input can promote consistent decisions from all federal agencies and reduce potential for liabilities resulting from natural-resource damage claims from state or tribal trustees. This article also provides a case study of a Maryland facility that is successfully implementing the principles described herein. The Department of the Navy and stakeholder participants have successfully utilized this approach for the CERCLA assessment phase to fulfill the responsibilities of CERCLA response and trusteeship. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.