Superfund Enforcement Program

CERCLA Enforcement: CERCLA, more commonly referred to as Superfund, gives EPA the authority to respond to releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances into the environment. Under CERCLA, potentially responsible parties (PRPs) are expected to conduct or pay for the cleanup. In conjunction with the Department of Justice (DOJ), EPA Headquarters, and the appropriate state, the Superfund Enforcement Program:

• Identifies the PRPs at the site
• Negotiates with PRPs to do the cleanup
• Recovers from PRPs the costs spent by EPA at Superfund cleanups

RCRA Corrective Action Enforcement: RCRA regulates currently-operating businesses and facilities that generate, transport, treat and store hazardous waste. Activities at RCRA facilities have sometimes resulted in releases of hazardous waste and hazardous substances into soil, ground water, surface water, and air. This calls for "corrective action" to clean up the release. The RCRA Corrective Action enforcement program:

• Requires owners and operators of RCRA facilities to conduct investigations
• Requires them to conduct a thorough cleanup of the hazardous release
• Monitors the cleanup to make sure it complies with applicable requirements