RCRA Cleanup Reforms

RCRA Cleanup Topics RCRA Cleanup Reforms Achieving Efficiencies in RCRA Corrective Action Financial Assurances RCRA Cleanup Regulations

EPA is responding to input from the regulated community and interested members of the public by working to streamline cleanup requirements. Consequently, EPA is implementing the RCRA Cleanup Reforms, a set of administrative efforts designed to achieve faster and more efficient cleanups at treatment, store, or disposal (TSD) facilities through the use of currently available enforcement tools. These reforms emphasize flexibility and new approaches to RCRA cleanups, while still ensuring the protection of human health and the environment.

Pursuant to the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) of 1994 and as part of the RCRA Cleanup Reforms, EPA established two near-term goals, termed "Environmental Indicators", - Controlling Current Human Exposures and, Controlling the Migration of Contaminated Groundwater - to measure progress in cleaning up RCRA facilities. These "Environmental Indicators" are designed to aid site decision makers in reaching better informed decisions as to the appropriate cleanup remedy earlier in the cleanup process. GPRA requires that by 2005 the states and EPA verify and document that 95 percent of the identified 1714 RCRA cleanup facilities have "current human exposures under control" and 70 percent of these facilities have "migration of contaminated groundwater under control".

EPA introduced the first set of administrative reforms in July 1999. The 1999 Reforms were designed to more effectively achieve environmental results by:

• Fostering maximum use of program flexibility and practical approaches;
• Enhancing public access to cleanup information; and,
• Improving the opportunities for public involvement in the cleanup process.

The second set of reforms, introduced in 2001 highlighted streamlining activities based on ideas that EPA heard from program implementors and stakeholders and also introduced new initiatives to reinforce the 1999 Reforms. The 2001 Reforms focused on:

• Pilot Innovative Approaches
• Accelerate Changes in Culture
• Connecting Communities to Cleanups
• Capitalize on Redevelopment Potential

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Pilot Innovative Approaches

States and EPA regional offices are encouraged to use innovative, results-orientated and protective approaches to speed achievement of the "Environmental Indicators" goals and final cleanup.

Accelerate Changes in Culture

EPA is assisting program implementors and stakeholders to accelerate changes in the culture in which they implement the program by:

• Focusing on results,
• Encouraging communication among stakeholders,
• Partnering in training,
• Promoting methods of information exchange, and
• Using new approaches to meet the Environmental Indicator goals.

Connecting Communities to Cleanups

EPA is focusing efforts on increasing public interest in, and awareness of, cleanup activities and enhancing the public's ability to become more involved in cleanup decisions affecting communities.

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Capitalize on Redevelopment Potential

EPA encourages program implementors and stakeholders to capitalize on the redevelopment potential of RCRA cleanup sites. One activity outlined under this approach is a focus on 4-6 RCRA Brownfield pilot projects designed to showcase the flexibility of RCRA and the ability of redevelopment potential to expedite or enhance cleanups.

Visit EPA's RCRA Corrective Action page if you are looking for information about:

• RCRA Cleanup Reforms
• Environmental Indicators
• Facility Information
• Current Initiatives
• RCRA Brownfields
• RCRA Success Stories

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