EPA prepares plan for Superfund reauthorization

The Clinton Administration is committed to making the changes needed to improve Superfund. The act sets forth a comprehensive program to respond to chemical accidents and emergencies and to clean up sites contaminated by hazardous chemicals. Among the critical questions that need to be addressed during the reauthorization process are: Are we getting full value for our money How clean is clean Should cleanups allow some contamination to remain if public health is protected, or should sites be restored to their original state, no matter what the cost Should permanent remedies always be preferred Should cleanup target levels be site-specific or consistent across the country In the meantime, an internal EPA work group headed by the deputy administrator will be examining different actions the agency could take on its own to improve Superfund.