Frequent Questions About Hazardous Waste Cleanups
On this page:
- What are EPA Headquarters' hazardous waste cleanup responsibilities?
- For purposes of hazardous waste cleanups under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, how does EPA define the term remediation waste?
- What is a remediation waste management site?
- What is a "CAMU-eligible waste"?
- Will environmental indicators require additional investigations (beyond that typically required for corrective action)?
- Where can I find information about hazardous waste cleanup standards?
What are EPA Headquarters' hazardous waste cleanup responsibilities?
EPA Headquarters oversees the national Hazardous Waste Cleanup Program through its Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery and its Office of Site Remediation Enforcement. These offices maintain the Hazardous Waste Cleanup and RCRA Cleanup Enforcement webpages respectively. EPA Headquarters' responsibilities include, for example: developing goals for the regional Hazardous Waste Cleanup Programs and monitoring progress toward those goals; developing regulations, policies, and guidance on implementing corrective action; providing technical and policy assistance; acting as a liaison to other EPA programs (e.g., Superfund) and Federal Agencies (e.g., Departments of Defense and Energy) involved in cleanup issues; providing information and testimony to Congress; and, seeking input from outside parties (e.g., regulated community, public interest groups, and environmental groups) to consider various interests.
For purposes of hazardous waste cleanups under RCRA, how does EPA define the term remediation waste?
EPA defines remediation waste as "all solid and hazardous wastes, and all media (including groundwater, surface water, soils, and sediments) and debris that are managed for implementing cleanup" (Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations Section 260.10).
What is a remediation waste management site?
A remediation waste management site is a facility where an owner or operator is or will be treating, storing, or disposing of hazardous remediation wastes. It is not a facility that is subject to corrective action in Section 264.101, but it is subject to corrective action requirements if the site is located in such a facility (40 CFR Section 260.10).
What is a "CAMU-eligible waste"?
Corrective Action Management Unit-eligible waste means all solid and hazardous wastes, and all media (including ground water, surface water, soils, and sediments) and debris, that are managed for implementing cleanup. As-generated wastes (either hazardous or nonhazardous) from ongoing operations at a site are not CAMU-eligible wastes (40 CFR Section 264.552(1)(i)). For more information, refer to the Guidance for Remediation Waste Management at Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Corrective Action Sites .
Will environmental indicators require additional investigations (beyond that typically required for corrective action)?
No, since the Environmental Indicators are small components of typical site corrective action final remedies, the EI should not require any additional investigations to be conducted. Although, the timing of when investigations, or stabilization actions, occur may be altered in order to demonstrate that site conditions are "Under Control" as soon as possible.
For more information, refer to the Memo from Cotsworth to RCRA Senior Policy Managers, dated February 5, 1999 (RCRA Online #14335).
Where can I find information about hazardous waste cleanup standards?
- Regional Screening Levels Users Guide.
- Regional Screening Levels Generic Tables.
- Maximum Contaminant Levels:
- Preliminary Remediation Goals.
State regulatory requirements may be more stringent than the federal program. Find links to your state environmental agency on our website.