Superfund

Issues That Need To Be Addressed Before the Program's Next Reauthorization Gao ID: T-RCED-92-15 October 29, 1991

Superfund has helped alleviate emergency conditions at hazardous waste sites and--through its enforcement efforts--has convinced many responsible parties to meet their obligations to help restore contaminated areas. Potential Superfund liability may have also made handlers of hazardous substances more careful about waste disposal. However, despite a large investment of resources, Superfund has so far achieved little of its primary purpose: the permanent cleanup of major hazardous waste sites. GAO testified that in the next few years before Superfund is reauthorized, it is important to look for solutions to several issues--streamlining the cleanup process, better controlling costs, assessing the effectiveness of cleanup actions, and getting a better handle on hazardous waste site risks.



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