How are contaminated environmental media regulated?
Contaminated environmental media in the ground (in-situ) are not solid wastes and therefore cannot be Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”) hazardous wastes. However, since contaminated environmental media may pollute the waters of the state, the contamination must be treated and/or removed. Upon removal from the ground, whether for remedial, construction, or other purposes, the ex-situ media must be characterized2 and managed accordingly as hazardous waste, solid waste, or clean fill.
