USEPA Updated NPL: 12 Sites Added
On March 17, 2022, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) announced that it is adding 12 sites to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL), and is proposing to add another five. These are sites where the USEPA deems that releases of contamination pose significant risk to human health and the environment. The USEPA noted that President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will accelerate the USEPA’s work to clean up these contaminated sites with a $3.5 billion investment in the Superfund Remedial Program. With this investment, the USEPA expects to clear the backlog of another 49 contaminated sites, which had been awaiting funding to start remedial action.
The USEPA is adding the following sites to the NPL:
- Lower Neponset River, Boston/Milton, Massachusetts
- Meeker Avenue Plume, Brooklyn, New York
- Bear Creek Sediments, Baltimore County, Maryland
- Paden City Groundwater, Paden City, West Virginia
- Westside Lead, Atlanta, Georgia
- Galey and Lord Plant, Society Hill, South Carolina
- National Fireworks, Cordova, Tennessee
- North 5th Street Groundwater Contamination, Goshen, Indiana
- Michner Plating – Mechanic Street, Jackson, Michigan
- Southeast Hennepin Area Groundwater and Vapor, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Unity Auto Mart, Unity, Wisconsin
- Bradford Island, Cascade Locks, Oregon
The USEPA is proposing to add the following sites to the NPL:
- Lower Hackensack River, Bergen and Hudson Counties, New Jersey
- Brillo Landfill, Victory, New York
- Georgetown North Groundwater, Georgetown, Delaware
- Hercules Inc, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
- Highway 3 PCE, Le Mars, Iowa
When determining if a site should be added to the NPL, the USEPA 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 cost and technologies that could be used to clean up the site.
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. Roux can provide strategic consulting services to help our clients understand the NPL listing process and evaluate their potential liability at these sites. Please click below if you are involved in these sites and want to discuss what it might mean for you, or if you would like to learn more about Roux’s services.
