How is RCRA Corrective Action different from the Superfund Program?
The Corrective Action program is different from Superfund because it deals with sites that have viable operators and generally have on-going operations. Superfund was primarily designed to remedy the mistakes in hazardous waste management made in the past at facilities that have been abandoned, or where a viable responsible party cannot be identified. The Corrective Action program primarily encompasses active facilities that have a RCRA permit, historically needed a RCRA permit, or are currently seeking a RCRA permit to treat, store, or dispose of hazardous waste. As a condition for obtaining a RCRA operating permit, these active facilities are required to clean up contaminants that are currently being released or that were released in the past. RCRA facilities must pay for the cleanup at their site. For more information about Superfund, see Region 3’s Superfund Program Web site.
