Superfund: Extent to Which Most Reforms Have Improved the Program Is Unknown
RCED-00-118
Published: May 12, 2000. Publicly Released: Jun 08, 2000.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Superfund program administrative reforms, focusing on the: (1) reforms' demonstrated results and the performance measures EPA uses to gauge these results; and (2) legislative changes to the program that either EPA or key stakeholders--including, among others, officials representing parties responsible for cleanups, environmental groups, and states--believe are still necessary.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Protection Agency | To achieve the maximum benefits possible from the Superfund administrative reforms, the Administrator, EPA, should direct the Assistant Administrator for Solid Waste and Emergency Response, who manages the Superfund program, to address, in EPA's internal review and update of the reforms, ways in which EPA can cost-effectively obtain additional data--for those reforms with the greatest potential for improving the program--that would help it better assess the reforms' results, including continuing to pursue authority from the Office of Management and Budget to solicit input from private parties and other key stakeholders on the success of the reforms. |
Closed – Implemented
In 2001, EPA developed Information Collection Requests (ICRs) to obtain stakeholder feedback on EPA's implementation of, and the effects of, three Superfund administrative reforms relating to (1) effective oversight management, (2) de minimis settlements, and (3) orphan share compensation. The respondents will be able to provide information on their overall satisfaction with the reform, whether it met its intended goals, and what can be done to improve it. OMB reviewed the ICRs and recommended revisions, including that the ICRs be tested before general distribution. EPA plans to complete testing of the orphan share survey and receive OMB approval for all ICRs by the end of 2003.
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| Environmental Protection Agency | To achieve the maximum benefits possible from the Superfund administrative reforms, the Administrator, EPA, should direct the Assistant Administrator for Solid Waste and Emergency Response, who manages the Superfund program, to address, in EPA's internal review and update of the reforms, ways in which EPA can target incentives or other strategies as necessary to sustain the implementation of some reforms and better understand whether regional variation in their use reflects inconsistencies that need to be addressed. |
Closed – Not Implemented
EPA believes that it has invested resources to ensure that eligible reforms are considered for use in the regions when appropriate. EPA stated that it will reinforce the progress made to date and encourage vigilance in applying the reforms. EPA believes that its July 2000, Superfund Reforms Strategy is evidence of its commitment to continuous improvement of the program and fundamental Superfund reform. Furthermore, EPA believes that a June 2000 report by the National Academy of Public Administration, attests to the success of the regional reforms: NAPA's review of the reforms in two regions and interviews with national actors and those familiar with other regions suggested that the broad goals of the reform effort have been obtained to a significant degree throughout the country.
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Cost controlCost effectiveness analysisEnvironmental legislationEnvironmental monitoringHazardous substancesHazardous waste sitesLiability (legal)Performance measuresPollution controlProgram evaluationWaste disposal