Enforcement

Chronological List of RCRA Cleanup Policy and Guidance Documents

62 documents found

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2024	Back to Top
2024 Revised Penalty Matrix for RCRA § 7003 Civil Penalty Policy - (2/7/24) 2024 updated penalty matrix for RCRA Section 7003 civil penalty policy. Supplements the 2009 revised penalty matrix. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-penalty-matrix-rcra-section-7003-civil-penalty-policy (PDF 280 kb)
2023	Back to Top
Incorporating Sustainability Principles in Cleanup Enforcement Actions Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act - (9/29/23) Memorandum reinforces EPA’s positions on sustainability by encouraging cleanup enforcement staff to collaborate with their program office counterparts to incorporate applicable principles in CERCLA and RCRA cleanup enforcement work and includes a compendium of case examples and a resource library. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/incorporating-sustainability-principles-cercla-and-rcra-cleanup-enforcement-actions (PDF 315 kb)
2023 Revised Penalty Matrix for RCRA 7003 Civil Penalty Policy - (3/7/23) 2023 updated penalty matrix for RCRA Section 7003 civil penalty policy. Supplements the 2009 revised penalty matrix. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-penalty-matrix-rcra-section-7003-civil-penalty-policy (PDF 361 kb)
2018	Back to Top
Advanced Monitoring Technologies and Approaches to Support Long-Term Stewardship - (7/20/18) Memorandum provides information about the potential uses of specific advanced monitoring technologies and approaches for monitoring and maintaining institutional controls and engineering controls at sites and facilities addressed under federal and state cleanup authorities. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/use-advanced-monitoring-technologies-and-approaches-support-long-term-stewardship (PDF 312 kb)
2016	Back to Top
Issuance of Revised Model Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Section 3008(h) Administrative Order on Consent - (9/29/16) Transmittal memorandum announcing issuance of revised model RCRA 3008(h) AOC. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-rcra-3008h-administrative-order-consent (PDF 300 kb)
2014	Back to Top
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Decision in Ecological Rights Foundation v. Pacific Gas and Electric Company Regarding the RCRA Definition of Solid Waste - (6/12/14) Memorandum highlights issues raised in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Ecological Rights Foundation v. Pacific Gas and Electric Company regarding the definition of solid waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/rcra-ecological-rights-foundation (PDF 502 kb)
2012	Back to Top
Use of CERCLA Section 122(b)(3) Special Accounts at RCRA Corrective Action Sites - (12/20/12) Memorandum providing direction to the Regions on the scope of EPA's ability to retain and use funds in special accounts for the oversight of RCRA cleanups. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-use-superfund-special-accounts-rcra-corrective-action-sites (PDF 280 kb)
Institutional Controls: A Guide to Planning, Implementing, Maintaining, and Enforcing Institutional Controls at Contaminated Sites - (12/4/12) Guidance for site managers, attorneys and other interested parties for planning, implementing, maintaining and enforcing (PIME) institutional controls for Superfund, brownfields, UST, RCRA, and federal facility cleanups. https://semspub.epa.gov/src/document/HQ/175446 (PDF 451 kb)
Institutional Controls: A Guide to Preparing Institutional Control Implementation and Assurance Plans at Contaminated Sites - (12/4/12) Guidance to the EPA Regions for developing Institutional Control Implementation and Assurance Plans (ICIAPs) at contaminated sites where the response action includes an institutional controls (ICs) component. An ICIAP is a document designed to systematically: (a) establish and document the activities associated with implementing and ensuring the long-term stewardship of ICs: and (b) specify the persons and/or organizations that will be responsible for conducting these activities. https://semspub.epa.gov/src/document/HQ/175449 (PDF 159 kb)
RCRA Section 9003(h) Model Unilateral Order - (5/11/12) Transmittal memorandum and model order under section 9003(h) for initial administrative order and notice of opportunity for hearing (corrective action unilateral order for leaking underground storage tank enforcement). https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/model-rcra-section-9003h-unilateral-order (PDF 241 kb)
Transmittal of Best Practices to Enhance Coordination in the RCRA Program - (2/22/12) Memorandum transmitting a best practices guide to enhance coordination among EPA personnel implementing the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act regulatory and enforcement program. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-best-practices-enhance-coordination-rcra-program (PDF 320 kb)
2010	Back to Top
Transmittal of the National Enforcement Strategy for RCRA Corrective Action - (4/27/10) Memorandum transmitting EPA's enforcement strategy to assist Regions and authorized states in achieving the 2020 Corrective Action goal of 95 percent cleanup of facilities subject to RCRA corrective action requirements. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-national-enforcement-strategy-rcra-corrective-action (PDF 434 kb)
2009	Back to Top
Revised Penalty Matrix for RCRA Section 7003 Civil Penalty Policy - (7/17/09) Updated matrix for RCRA Section 7003 Penalty Policy. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-penalty-matrix-rcra-section-7003-civil-penalty-policy (PDF 28 kb)
2007	Back to Top
Ensuring Effective and Reliable Institutional Controls at RCRA Facilities - (6/14/07) Memorandum emphasizes the need for effective and reliable institutional controls at RCRA facility cleanup, corrective action and closures. https://www.epa.gov/hw/guidance-long-term-care-corrective-action-sites (PDF 350 kb)
2006	Back to Top
Model Provisions for Cost Estimates and Financial Responsibility for Use in RCRA Section 3008(h) Administrative Order on Consent - (2/8/06) Transmittal memorandum and model language for financial assurance provisions with RCRA 3008(h) Administrative Orders on Consent. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/model-provisions-rcra-3008h-aoc-financial-assurance-provisions (PDF 100 kb)
2005	Back to Top
Transmittal memorandum for Model RCRA Section 7003 Administrative Order on Consent (transmittal package) - (11/1/05) Transmittal memorandum, model language and frequently asked questions for RCRA Section 7003 administrative order on consent model https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/model-rcra-section-7003-aoc (PDF 311 kb)
2004	Back to Top
Transmittal of Institutional Controls: Third-Party Beneficiary Rights in Proprietary Controls - (4/19/04) Transmittal memorandum and document address information on designating third-party beneficiaries in proprietary institutional controls https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-third-party-beneficiary-rights-proprietary-institutional-controls (PDF 123 kb)
2003	Back to Top
Transmittal of Interim Guidance on Financial Responsibility for Facilities Subject to RCRA Corrective Action - (9/30/03) Provides guidance in the implementation of financial responsibility requirements to ensure that owners and operators provide evidence of financial responsibility for corrective action. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/interim-guidance-financial-responsibility-facilities-subject-rcra-corrective-action (PDF 295 kb)
Results-Based Approaches and Tailored Oversight Guidance for Facilities Subject to Corrective Action under Subtitle C of RCRA - (9/1/03) Discusses EPA's general results-based strategy for RCRA Corrective Action and how EPA generally intends to exercise its discretion in implementing its statutory authorities and regulations. https://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/correctiveaction/resources/guidance/gen_ca/reslt-bse.pdf (PDF 192 kb)
Prospective Purchaser Agreements and Other Tools to Facilitate Cleanup and Reuse of RCRA Sites - (4/8/03) Memorandum highlights three tools useful to EPA and RCRA-authorized states for overcoming real or preceived barriers to cleanup and reuse at RCRA sites. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-prospective-purchaser-agreements-and-other-enforcement-tools-use-rcra-sites (PDF 3.71 kb)
Final Guidance on Completion of Corrective Action Activities at RCRA Facilities - (2/12/03) Federal Register notice (2/25/2003) publishing the February 12, 2003, "Guidance on Completion of Corrective Action Activities at RCRA Facilities" memorandum. https://rcrapublic.epa.gov/files/14653.pdf (PDF 72 kb)
2002	Back to Top
Headquarters Prior Written Approval Required for Prospective Purchaser Agreements under the Resource Conservation Recovery Act - (5/9/02) Memo to Regional Offices requests cooperation with HQ when contemplating negotiations for prospective purchaser agreements under RCRA. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-pwa-rcra-ppas (PDF 3,683 kb)
2001	Back to Top
Comfort/Status Letters for RCRA Brownfield Properties - (2/15/01) Memorandum addressing the use of comfort/status letters at RCRA properties, where appropriate, and includes four (4) sample letters. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-comfortstatus-letters-rcra-brownfields-properties (PDF 1.15 kb)
Use of CERCLA 106 to Address Endangerments That May Also be Addressed Under Other Environmental Statutes - (1/18/01) This memo discusses the use of CERCLA 106 to address imminent and substantial endangerments that may also be addressed by other crose-media situations. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-using-cercla-section-106-address-cross-media-ise-situations (PDF 1500 kb)
Transmittal of Guidance on Enforcement Approaches for Expediting RCRA Corrective Action - (1/2/01) Memorandum provides guidance to EPA and RCRA authorized state project managers on a variety of enforcement approaches that can be used to accomplish timely, protective, and efficient corrective action at RCRA Subtitle C facilities. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-enforcement-approaches-expediting-rcra-corrective-action (PDF 1049 kb)
2000	Back to Top
Applicability of RCRA Section 3020 to In-Situ Treatment of Ground Water - (12/27/00) Memorandum clarifies that reinjection of treated ground water to promote in-situ treatment is allowed under section 3020(b) as long as certain conditions are met. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/memorandum-applicability-rcra-section-3020-situ-treatment-ground-water-december-27-2000 (PDF 548 kb)
Transmittal Memorandum for Institutional Controls: A Site Managers Guide to Identifying, Evaluating and Selecting Institutional Controls at Superfund and RCRA Corrective Action Cleanups - (9/29/00) Transmittal memorandum and fact sheet intended to provide Superfund and RCRA site managers and other decision makers with an overview of the types of institutional controls that are commonly available. OSWER Dir. No. 9355.0-74FS-P. https://semspub.epa.gov/src/document/HQ/175447 (PDF 96 kb)
1999	Back to Top
Use of Monitored Natural Attenuation at Superfund, RCRA Corrective Action and Underground Storage Tank Sites - (4/21/99) Clarifies EPA policy regarding the use of monitored natural attenuation (MNA) for the remediation of contaminated soil and ground water at RCRA facilities. OSWER Dir. 9200.4-17P. http://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-02/documents/d9200.4-17.pdf (PDF 274 kb)
Handling Self-disclosure of 40 C.F.R. 280.21 Violations in the Underground Storage Tank Program - (2/12/99) Sets forth a four-part strategy for handling self-disclosures received from low enforcement priority facilities and high enforcement priority facilities for handling disclosures associated with the December 22, 1998 deadline. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-ust-violation-self-disclosure (PDF 52 kb)
1998	Back to Top
Summary Chart of October 14, 1998, Memorandum, Management of Remediation Waste Under RCRA - (10/15/98) Chart summary of the Management of Remediation Waste under RCRA document. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-managing-remediation-wastes-under-rcra (PDF 20 kb)
Management of Remediation Waste Under RCRA - (10/1/98) Memorandum intended to assist the Regions in implementing RCRA requirements for remediation wastes. EPA-530-F-98-026 https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-managing-remediation-wastes-under-rcra (PDF 46 kb)
Consolidated Rules of Practice Governing the Administrative Assessment of Civil Penalties, Issuance of Compliance or Corrective Actions Orders, and the Revocation, Termination or Suspension of Permits - (2/25/98) Rule revises the Consolidated Rules of Practice (CROP), including expansion of procedural rules to include certain permit revocation, termination, and suspension action. Federal Register Notice Rule, Parts 22 & 59, pg. 9464-9494 https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/consolidated-rules-practice-40-cfr-part-22-administrative-assessment-civil-penalties (PDF 4mb kb)
1997	Back to Top
Transmittal of Guidance on the Use of Section 7003 of RCRA - (10/20/97) Memorandum addresses the meaning of imminent and substantial endangerment (ISE), the legal requirements for initiating administrative and judicial actions under 7003, case screening factors, enforcement actions against violators of 7003 orders, and the relationship of Section 7003 to other authorities that allow EPA to address potential endangerment and harm to health or the environment. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/use-administrative-orders-under-rcra-section-7003 (PDF 208 kb)
1996	Back to Top
Revised Model Notice Language for Compliance with Public Participation Requirements of Section 7003(d) of RCRA - (10/30/96) Memorandum updates instructions for formatting and obtaining publication of the EPA Federal Register notices and to make minor modifications to the notices themselves from 8/16/95 superseded memorandum. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-model-language-compliance-public-participation-requirements-under-rcra-section (PDF 79 kb)
Coordination between RCRA Corrective Action and Closure and CERCLA Site Activities - (9/24/96) Memorandum focuses on coordination between CERCLA and RCRA cleanup programs. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-coordinating-rcra-corrective-action-activity-and-closure-and-superfund-site (PDF 33 kb)
1995	Back to Top
Transmittal of Sample Documents for More Effective Communication in CERCLA Section 104(e)(2) Information Requests - (7/5/95) Samples intended to address concerns raised by past recipients of information request letters to more effectively convey our initial information requests to recipients & encourage a more complete response from the recipients of initial information request https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-sample-documents-effective-communication-under-cercla-section-104e (PDF)
RCRA Corrective Action Inspection Guidance Manual - (5/1/95) This guidance delineates inspection activities which are critical for the successful completion of corrective action activities currently underway at many facilities and is intended to supplement the RCRA Inspection Manual. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-rcra-corrective-action-inspection (PDF 5918 kb)
Use of the Area of Contamination (AOC) Concept During RCRA Cleanups - (3/13/95) Memorandum confirming that certain broad areas of contmaination (AOCs) may be considered RCRA landfills and describes distinction between the final CAMU regulations and the AOC approach. https://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/correctiveaction/resources/guidance/remwaste/refrnces/01aoc.pdf (PDF 1,889 kb)
Processing Requests for Use of Enforcement Discretion - (3/3/95) Memorandum discussing EPA's general policy on no action assurances. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-processing-requests-use-enforcement-discretion (PDF 795 kb)
1994	Back to Top
Model Administrative Order for CERCLA Information Requests - (9/30/94) Transmittal memorandum and model Administrative Order for CERCLA Information Requests. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-model-cercla-section-104e5a-administrative-order-information-collection (PDF 632 kb)
RCRA Corrective Action Plan (Final) - (5/1/94) Guidance intended to aid Regions and states in determining and directing the specific work that must be performed under the RCRA corrective action program and developing the requirements in permits. OSWER Dir. 9902.3-2A https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-rcra-corrective-action-plan (PDF 195 kb)
1993	Back to Top
UST/LUST National Native American Lands Policy Statement - (7/7/93) Final policy statement concerning the implementation of the UST/LUST program on Native American lands. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-native-american-land-policy-ustlusts (PDF 409 kb)
1991	Back to Top
RCRA Corrective Action Decision Documents: The Statement of Basis and Response to Comments - (4/29/91) Guidance for presenting standarad formats for documenting RCRA corrective action decisions. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-rcra-corrective-action-decision-documents (PDF 2105 kb)
1990	Back to Top
Transmittal of Model Consent Decree for CERCLA Section 104(e) Information Request Enforcement Actions - (8/29/90) Transmittal memorandum and model Consent Decree for CERCLA Section 104(e) Information Request Enforcement Actions. OSWER No. 9834.14. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/model-cercla-section-104e-information-request-enforcement-actions-consent-decree (PDF 445 b kb)
1989	Back to Top
Coordination of Corrective Action Through Permits and Orders - (8/10/89) Memorandum providing guidance on how to coordinate permit and order requirements for corrective action. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-coordinating-rcra-corrective-action-permit-requirements-and-orders (PDF 454 kb)
Guidance on Administrative Records for RCRA section/subpart 3008(h) Actions - (7/6/89) Guidance on compiling administrative records for RCRA section 3008(h) corrective action orders (includes transmittal memorandum). OSWER Dir. 9940.4 https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-rcra-section-3008h-administrative-records (PDF 1579 kb)
1988	Back to Top
Transmittal of Guidance on Use and Enforcement of CERCLA Information Requests and Administrative Subpoenas - (8/25/88) Guidance gives an overview of the information-gathering tools under CERCLA 104(e) and 122(e)(3)(B), and it focuses on the steps to be taken. OSWER No. 9834.4-a https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-use-and-enforcement-cercla-information-requests-and-administrative-subpoenas (PDF 1859 kb)
Use of 3008 (h) Orders or Post-Closure Permits at Closing Facilities - (3/8/88) Memorandum clarifies the use of §3008(h) orders and post-closure permits to address corrective action at closing interim status facilities. https://rcrapublic.epa.gov/files/13148.pdf (PDF 284 kb)
Operation and Maintenance Inspection Guide (in RCRA Ground-Water Monitoring Systems) - (3/1/88) Describes the Operation and Maintenance( O&M) Inspection, explains how it fits into EPA’s overall enforcement effort, and explains how to plan and conduct an O&M inspection. OSWER Dir. 9950.3 https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-om-inspections-rcra-ground-water-monitoring-systems (PDF 4104 kb)
1987	Back to Top
Guidance on the Use of Stipulated Penalties in Hazardous Waste Consent Decrees - (9/21/87) This guidance addresses the use of stipulated penalties in civil judicial settlements under CERCLA and RCRA Section 7003. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-use-stipulated-penalties-hazardous-waste-consent-decrees (PDF 511 kb)
Use of RCRA Section 3008(a) and 3013 Authorities in the Corrective Action Process and Off-Site Disposal Requirements of Section 121 of SARA - (8/31/87) Addresses questions regarding the use of RCRA sections 3008(a) and 3013 authorities to address corrective action at hazardous waste management facilities and to meet the off-site disposal requirements under section 121 of the 1986 Superfund amendments. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-rcra-sections-3008a-and-3013-authorities-corrective-action-process-and-site (PDF 175 kb)
Criteria for Elimination of Headquarters' Concurrence on Selected RCRA Section 3008(h) Orders - (6/26/87) Memorandum describing criteria for waiver of Headquarters' concurrence on RCRA section 3008(h) orders. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-criteria-eliminating-selected-rcra-section-3008h-orders-headquarters (PDF 184 kb)
Enforcement of Financial Responsibility Requirements for RCRA Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities that are Closing - (4/20/87) Memorandum describes Agency's approach to enforcing regulatory requirements for both financial assurance for closure and post-closure care and liability coverage under RCRA at TSD facilities that are closing. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-enforcing-financial-responsibility-rcra-closure-and-post-closure-facilities-are (PDF 266 kb)
1986	Back to Top
Final RCRA Comprehensive Ground Water Monitoring Evaluation (CME) Guidance Document - (12/19/86) Guidance providing framework within which inspections/evaluations may be performed and to promote, a nationally consistent approach to that performance. OSWER Dir. 9950.2 https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-rcra-comprehensive-ground-water-monitoring-evaluation-final (PDF 3204 kb)
RCRA Ground Water Monitoring Technical Enforcement Guidance Document (TEGD) - (9/1/86) Technical Enforcement Guidance Document (TEGD) describes the essential components of a ground water monitoring system that meet the goals of RCRA. OSWER Dir. No. 9950.1 https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/rcra-ground-water-monitoring-technical-enforcement-guidance-document-tegd (PDF 175 kb)
Inspection Authority under Section 3007 of RCRA - (4/17/86) Memorandum describing inspection authority under section 3007 of RCRA. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-rcra-section-3007-inspection-authority (PDF 632 kb)
1985	Back to Top
RCRA Section 3008(h) The Interim Status Corrective Action Authority - (12/16/85) Memorandum provides guidance to the Regions on the Agency's interpretation of the statutory authority provided under RCRA section 3008(h) regarding enforcement action to require corrective action at interim status facilities. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-interpreting-rcra-section-3008h (PDF 1060 kb)
1984	Back to Top
Policy Against No Action Assurances - (11/16/84) Memorandum reaffirming EPA policy on no action assurances. Referenced in June 2000 memorandum on applicability of no action assurance policy to CERCLA. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-no-action-assurances-policy (PDF 139 kb)
Guidance for Calculating the Economic Benefit of Noncompliance for a Civil Penalty Assessment - (11/5/84) Guidance for Calculating the Economic Benefit of Noncompliance for a Civil Penalty Assessment, dated 11/05/84 https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-civil-penalty-calculating-economic-benefit-noncompliance (PDF 252 kb)
Issuance of Administrative Orders under Section 3013 of RCRA - (9/26/84) Provides guidance on the use of administrative orders under RCRA section 3013. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-issuing-rcra-section-3013-administrative-orders (PDF 2245 kb)
Policy on Enforcing Information Requests in Hazardous Waste Cases - (9/10/84) Memorandum assists the regions in enforcing information request letters issued pursuant to Section 104 of CERCLA and Section 3007 of RCRA. OSWER Dir. 9834.4 https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-enforcing-information-requests-hazardous-waste-cases (PDF 1156 kb)
1982	Back to Top
Guidelines for Using the Imminent Hazard, Enforcement and Emergency Response Authorities of Superfund and Other Statutes - (5/13/82) Policy statement provides a general description of how response actions undertaken pursuant to CERCLA 104 will be coordinated with the use of enforcement authorities available to EPA and DOJ. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/using-imminent-hazard-enforcement-and-emergency-response-authorities-cercla-and-other (PDF 3406 kb)

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Enforcement

Chronological List of RCRA Cleanup Policy and Guidance Documents

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Enforcement