Potentially Responsible Parties (PRP) Searches

This category includes information on how EPA identified parties associated with the contamination at a Superfund site.

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Superfund Task Force Recommendation 16: Provide Reduced Oversight Incentives to Cooperative, High Performing Potentially Responsible Parties - (7/1/19) Summary of Superfund Task Force Recommendation 16 workgroup conclusions and recommendations on how EPA can restructure the cleanup process and reduce oversight for cooperative PRPs. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/summary-findings-reduced-oversight-incentives-cooperative-high-performing-prps (PDF 325K)

PRP Search Manual - 2017 Edition - (9/29/17) "PRP Search Manual" provides guidance on how to search for potentially responsible parties (PRPs) that may be liable for cleanup at a Superfund site. The Manual describes the PRP search planning process, and discusses the baseline tasks and follow-up tasks recommended for assuring effective PRP searches. Webpage includes links to complete document and individual chapters and appendices. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/prp-search-manual (PDF 7300K)

Options for Responding to Deficient Deliverables from PRPs - (6/30/11) Memorandum transmitting sample letters for Regions to use when addressing deficient deliverables with potentially responsible parties. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-options-responding-deficient-deliverables-prps (PDF 386K)

Transmittal of Preliminary Potentially Responsible Party Search Completion Measure Definition for Incorporation into the Superfund Program Implementation Manual for FY2012 - (6/23/11) Guidance to regions on documenting preliminary PRP search completion activities https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-preliminary-prp-search-completion-measure-definition-and-superfund-program (PDF 338K)

PRP Search Documentation Summary Requirements for Decision Documents to Not Pursue Cost Recovery Where Unaddressed past Costs are Greater Than $200,000 - (3/8/11) Guidance establishing standard and mandatory PRP search documentation requirements in decision documents. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-documenting-prp-search-decision-documents-and-unaddressed-cost-recoveries (PDF 353K)

EPA's Continued Efforts to Enhance CERCLA Cost Recovery - (7/2/10) Memorandum highlights important cost recovery practices and encourages Regions to reevaluate their Superfund cost recovery programs. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-efforts-enhance-cercla-cost-recovery (PDF 267 K)

Model Application/Information Request for the Service Station Dealer Exemption under Section 114(c) of CERCLA - (11/8/04) Transmittal memorandum and model language document application/information request for service station dealers exemption under CERCLA https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/model-applicationinformation-request-service-station-dealer-exemption-under-cercla (PDF 55 K)

Transmittal of Guidance on Issuing CERCLA Section 104(e)(2) Information Requests to Federal Agencies at Privately-owned Superfund Sites - (6/14/04) Guidance on information requests to federal agencies at privately-owned superfund sites. Attachment A contains the list of federal PRP points of contacts dated October 2003. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-issuing-superfund-104e2-information-requests-federal-agencies-privately-owned (PDF 126 K)

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)

Revised Policy on Discretionary Information Release Under CERCLA - (3/31/93) The purpose of the revised CERCLA information release policy is to minimize potential impediments to facilitating PRP organization and coalescence. OSWER Directive 9835.12-01a. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-discretionary-information-releases-under-superfund (PDF 168 K)

Final Guidance on Preparing Waste-in Lists and Volumetric Rankings for Release to Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs) under CERCLA (Waste-in Guidance) - (2/22/91) Provides guidance on the compilation and release of waste-in lists and volumetric rankings to help you comply with the information release requirements of CERCLA section 122 (e) and the information release and exchange policies outlined in OSWER Directive https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-preparing-waste-lists-and-volumetric-rankings-release-prps-waste-guidance (PDF 1206K)

PRP Search Supplemental Guidance for Sites in the Superfund Remedial Program - (6/16/89) Transmittal memorandum and supplemental guidance on the PRP process for Superfund remedial sites and the content and format for PRP search reports, OSWER No. 9834.3-2a. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-searching-prp-and-preparing-search-reports (PDF 1705 K)

CERCLA Community Relations Mailing Lists, OSWER No. 9836.2 - (2/6/89) Memorandum emphasizes the use of community relations mailing lists to ensure notification of PRPs. https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-using-community-relations-mailing-lists-superfund-enforcement (PDF 193KB)

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)

Releasing Identities of Potentially of Responsible Parties in Response to FOIA Requests - (1/26/84) The memo states EPA Policy on responding to requests under the FOIA for the names of PRPs at CERCLA sites. OSWER Dir. No. 9834.0 https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/guidance-releasing-prp-identities-foia-responses (PDF 148 K)

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