The SuperFund Process

In Review: Does the Superfund Process work?

Based upon the process as outlined in this blog, I believe that the process that is CERCLA or the Superfund certainly has worked in the case of this site's discovery, assessments, remediation and decisions.  While the pollutants and contaminants were not totally removed the record of decision for the remediation process has mitigated most all of harmful human health effects and eliminated most all harmful effects on the habitat and ecological processes at or around the site.  By capping the contaminants, monitoring the groundwater plume through annual well monitoring and sampling and controlling gas emissions the site is cutoff from human contact.

Every aspect of the process cumbersome and detailed as it is worked to the remediation of the Brick Township Landfill.  The unfortunate consequence of the Superfund is that is has been out of money since 2003.  There no longer is a mandate or process to re-establish funding for Superfund.  I found that Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore) is proposing legislation to reinstate the "polluters fee" and fund Superfund sites cleanup.  It is also supported by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.  In a letter dated 06/21/2010  the EPA petitioned Congress to support of reinstating the lapsed Superfund “polluter pays” taxes.

There are over 1200 sites throughout the United States and more are being discovered....who will fund the cleanups?

Steve Nagiewicz
April 23, 2011