Superfund

Under the Superfund statute, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is authorized to clean up hazardous waste sites and to force responsible parties to either pay for or perform the cleanup. The statute also authorizes federal, state, and tribal authorities to seek monetary damages for harm done to natural resources, such as wetlands or wildlife habitat, resulting from releases of hazardous substances. Concerns have been raised that such damages could add billions to the final tab for Superfund cleanups while imposing heavy burdens on industry and the federal government. GAO presents information on the number and the value of claims for natural resource damages. GAO focuses on claims filed and settled. GAO also presents the views of government officials on the likely extent of future damage claims, including those faced by federal agencies, such as the Departments of Defense and Energy.