Update to EPA National Priorities List: Sites Added

EPA Adds Sites to National Priorities List, Proposes Three Others

On March 7, 2024, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is adding five new sites to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL), some of which were proposed last year.

• Lukachukai Mountains Mining District (Cove, Navajo Nation, Arizona)
• Lot 46 Valley Gardens TCE (Des Moines, Iowa)
• Acme Steel Coke Plant (Chicago, Illinois)
• Exide Baton Rouge (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
• Former Exide Technologies Laureldale (Laureldale, Pennsylvania)

In addition, the EPA is proposing to add three additional sites to the NPL. These are sites where the EPA deems releases of contamination pose significant human health and environmental risks.

• Afterthought Mine (Bella Vista, California)
• Gelman Sciences, Inc. (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
• Upper Columbia River (Upper Columbia River, Washington)

When determining if a site should be added to the NPL, the EPA utilizes information from initial limited investigations to assess the relative potential of sites to pose a threat to human health or the environment. After a site is listed on the NPL, the site must undergo a robust Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study (RI/FS) to determine the nature and extent of contamination at the site, test whether certain technologies are capable of treating the contamination, and evaluate the potential performance and cost of technologies that could be used to clean up the site.

With the addition this month of the PFAS chemicals PFOS and PFOA to the list of CERCLA hazardous substances, many Superfund sites will now have another layer of potential investigation to pursue.

Inclusion of a site on the NPL does not in itself reflect a judgment of the activities of its owner or operator, nor does it assign liability to any person or party. However, considering the potential costs and long-term liability associated with remediation of Superfund sites, potentially responsible parties (PRPs) need experienced consultants to efficiently navigate the Superfund process.

Please click below if you are involved in these sites and would like to discuss potential implications or learn more about Roux’s services.