Evolution of the superfund remedy selection process, including an assessment of implementation of permanent and alternative remedial technologies

Abstract

The history of the Superfund program has been controversial, especially with respect to the development of the remedy selection process. During the early 1980's, USEPA rarely selected permanent remedies or alternative treatment technologies, relying on disposal and/or containment remedies. Dissatisifaction with the pace and extent of cleanup of the Nation's hazarous waste sites resulted in public and political pressure to address this situation. In response, USEPA's selection of alternative remedial technologies accelerated somewhat during the mid 1980's. At the same time, the original Superfund law and key regulations were being overhauled, culuminating in enactment of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) in late 1986. SARA emphasized selection of permanent remedies and alternative remedial technologies that treat a site's contaminated source materials. SARA also established the Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation (SITE) program to evaluate alternative remedial technologies. Since SARA, USEPA claims continued acceleration in the selection of permanent remedies and alternative technologies, while critics question the permanence of many of EPA's selected remedies.