Legislación
US (United States) Code. Title 42. Chapter 103: Comprehensive environmental response, compensation and liability
-CITE-
42 USC CHAPTER 103 - COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL
RESPONSE, COMPENSATION, AND LIABILITY 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 42 - THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
CHAPTER 103 - COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE, COMPENSATION,
AND LIABILITY
-HEAD-
CHAPTER 103 - COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE, COMPENSATION,
AND LIABILITY
-MISC1-
SUBCHAPTER I - HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES RELEASES, LIABILITY,
COMPENSATION
Sec.
9601. Definitions.
9602. Designation of additional hazardous substances and
establishment of reportable released quantities;
regulations.
9603. Notification requirements respecting released
substances.
(a) Notice to National Response Center upon release
from vessel or offshore or onshore facility by
person in charge; conveyance of notice by
Center.
(b) Penalties for failure to notify; use of notice
or information pursuant to notice in criminal
case.
(c) Notice to Administrator of EPA of existence of
storage, etc., facility by owner or operator;
exception; time, manner, and form of notice;
penalties for failure to notify; use of notice
or information pursuant to notice in criminal
case.
(d) Recordkeeping requirements; promulgation of
rules and regulations by Administrator of EPA;
penalties for violations; waiver of retention
requirements.
(e) Applicability to registered pesticide product.
(f) Exemptions from notice and penalty provisions
for substances reported under other Federal
law or is in continuous release, etc.
9604. Response authorities.
(a) Removal and other remedial action by President;
applicability of national contingency plan;
response by potentially responsible parties;
public health threats; limitations on
response; exception.
(b) Investigations, monitoring, coordination, etc.,
by President.
(c) Criteria for continuance of obligations from
Fund over specified amount for response
actions; consultation by President with
affected States; contracts or cooperative
agreements by States with President prior to
remedial actions; cost-sharing agreements;
selection by President of remedial actions;
State credits: granting of credit, expenses
before listing or agreement, response actions
between 1978 and 1980, State expenses after
December 11, 1980, in excess of 10 percent of
costs, item-by-item approval, use of credits;
operation and maintenance; limitation on
source of funds for O&M; recontracting;
siting.
(d) Contracts or cooperative agreements by
President with States or political
subdivisions or Indian tribes; State
applications, terms and conditions;
reimbursements; cost-sharing provisions;
enforcement requirements and procedures.
(e) Information gathering and access.
(f) Contracts for response actions; compliance with
Federal health and safety standards.
(g) Rates for wages and labor standards applicable
to covered work.
(h) Emergency procurement powers; exercise by
President.
(i) Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry; establishment, functions, etc.
(j) Acquisition of property.
(k) Brownfields revitalization funding.
9605. National contingency plan.
(a) Revision and republication.
(b) Revision of plan.
(c) Hazard ranking system.
(d) Petition for assessment of release.
(e) Releases from earlier sites.
(f) Minority contractors.
(g) Special study wastes.
(h) NPL deferral.
9606. Abatement actions.
(a) Maintenance, jurisdiction, etc.
(b) Fines; reimbursement.
(c) Guidelines for using imminent hazard,
enforcement, and emergency response
authorities; promulgation by Administrator of
EPA, scope, etc.
9607. Liability.
(a) Covered persons; scope; recoverable costs and
damages; interest rate; "comparable maturity"
date.
(b) Defenses.
(c) Determination of amounts.
(d) Rendering care or advice.
(e) Indemnification, hold harmless, etc.,
agreements or conveyances; subrogation rights.
(f) Natural resources liability; designation of
public trustees of natural resources.
(g) Federal agencies.
(h) Owner or operator of vessel.
(i) Application of a registered pesticide product.
(j) Obligations or liability pursuant to federally
permitted release.
(k) Transfer to, and assumption by, Post-Closure
Liability Fund of liability of owner or
operator of hazardous waste disposal facility
in receipt of permit under applicable solid
waste disposal law; time, criteria applicable,
procedures, etc.; monitoring costs; reports.
(l) Federal lien.
(m) Maritime lien.
(n) Liability of fiduciaries.
(o) De micromis exemption.
(p) Municipal solid waste exemption.
(q) Contiguous properties.
(r) Prospective purchaser and windfall lien.
9608. Financial responsibility.
(a) Establishment and maintenance by owner or
operator of vessel; amount; failure to obtain
certification of compliance.
(b) Establishment and maintenance by owner or
operator of production, etc., facilities;
amount; adjustment; consolidated form of
responsibility; coverage of motor carriers.
(c) Direct Action.
(d) Limitation of guarantor liability.
9609. Civil penalties and awards.
(a) Class I administrative penalty.
(b) Class II administrative penalty.
(c) Judicial assessment.
(d) Awards.
(e) Procurement procedures.
(f) Savings clause.
9610. Employee protection.
(a) Activities of employee subject to protection.
(b) Administrative grievance procedure in cases of
alleged violations.
(c) Assessment of costs and expenses against
violator subsequent to issuance of order of
abatement.
(d) Defenses.
(e) Presidential evaluations of potential loss of
shifts of employment resulting from
administration or enforcement of provisions;
investigations; procedures applicable, etc.
9611. Uses of Fund.
(a) In general.
(b) Additional authorized purposes.
(c) Peripheral matters and limitations.
(d) Additional limitations.
(e) Funding requirements respecting moneys in Fund;
limitation on certain claims; Fund use outside
Federal property boundaries.
(f) Obligation of moneys by Federal officials;
obligation of moneys or settlement of claims
by State officials or Indian tribe.
(g) Notice to potential injured parties by owner
and operator of vessel or facility causing
release of substance; rules and regulations.
(h) Repealed.
(i) Restoration, etc., of natural resources.
(j) Use of Post-closure Liability Fund.
(k) Inspector General.
(l) Foreign claimants.
(m) Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry.
(n) Limitations on research, development, and
demonstration program.
(o) Notification procedures for limitations on
certain payments.
(p) General revenue share of Superfund.
9612. Claims procedure.
(a) Claims against Fund for response costs.
(b) Forms and procedures applicable.
(c) Subrogation rights; actions maintainable.
(d) Statute of limitations.
(e) Other statutory or common law claims not
waived, etc.
(f) Double recovery prohibited.
9613. Civil proceedings.
(a) Review of regulations in Circuit Court of
Appeals of the United States for the District
of Columbia.
(b) Jurisdiction; venue.
(c) Controversies or other matters resulting from
tax collection or tax regulation review.
(d) Litigation commenced prior to December 11,
1980.
(e) Nationwide service of process.
(f) Contribution.
(g) Period in which action may be brought.
(h) Timing of review.
(i) Intervention.
(j) Judicial review.
(k) Administrative record and participation
procedures.
(l) Notice of actions.
9614. Relationship to other law.
(a) Additional State liability or requirements with
respect to release of substances within State.
(b) Recovery under other State or Federal law of
compensation for removal costs or damages, or
payment of claims.
(c) Recycled oil.
(d) Financial responsibility of owner or operator
of vessel or facility under State or local
law, rule, or regulation.
9615. Presidential delegation and assignment of duties or
powers and promulgation of regulations.
9616. Schedules.
(a) Assessment and listing of facilities.
(b) Evaluation.
(c) Explanations.
(d) Commencement of RI/FS.
(e) Commencement of remedial action.
9617. Public participation.
(a) Proposed plan.
(b) Final plan.
(c) Explanation of differences.
(d) Publication.
(e) Grants for technical assistance.
9618. High priority for drinking water supplies.
9619. Response action contractors.
(a) Liability of response action contractors.
(b) Savings provisions.
(c) Indemnification.
(d) Exception.
(e) Definitions.
(f) Competition.
(g) Surety bonds.
9620. Federal facilities.
(a) Application of chapter to Federal Government.
(b) Notice.
(c) Federal Agency Hazardous Waste Compliance
Docket.
(d) Assessment and evaluation.
(e) Required action by department.
(f) State and local participation.
(g) Transfer of authorities.
(h) Property transferred by Federal agencies.
(i) Obligations under Solid Waste Disposal Act.
(j) National security.
9621. Cleanup standards.
(a) Selection of remedial action.
(b) General rules.
(c) Review.
(d) Degree of cleanup.
(e) Permits and enforcement.
(f) State involvement.
9622. Settlements.
(a) Authority to enter into agreements.
(b) Agreements with potentially responsible
parties.
(c) Effect of agreement.
(d) Enforcement.
(e) Special notice procedures.
(f) Covenant not to sue.
(g) De minimis settlements.
(h) Cost recovery settlement authority.
(i) Settlement procedures.
(j) Natural resources.
(k) Section not applicable to vessels.
(l) Civil penalties.
(m) Applicability of general principles of law.
9623. Reimbursement to local governments.
(a) Application.
(b) Reimbursement.
(c) Amount.
(d) Procedure.
9624. Methane recovery.
(a) In general.
(b) Exceptions.
9625. Section 6921(b)(3)(A)(i) waste.
(a) Revision of hazard ranking system.
(b) Inclusion prohibited.
9626. Indian tribes.
(a) Treatment generally.
(b) Community relocation.
(c) Study.
(d) Limitation.
9627. Recycling transactions.
(a) Liability clarification.
(b) Recyclable material defined.
(c) Transactions involving scrap paper, plastic,
glass, textiles, or rubber.
(d) Transactions involving scrap metal.
(e) Transactions involving batteries.
(f) Exclusions.
(g) Effect on other liability.
(h) Regulations.
(i) Effect on pending or concluded actions.
(j) Liability for attorney's fees for certain
actions.
(k) Relationship to liability under other laws.
(l) Limitation on statutory construction.
9628. State response programs.
(a) Assistance to States.
(b) Enforcement in cases of a release subject to
State program.
(c) Effect on Federal laws.
SUBCHAPTER II - HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE RESPONSE REVENUE
PART A - HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE RESPONSE TRUST FUND
9631 to 9633. Repealed.
PART B - POST-CLOSURE LIABILITY TRUST FUND
9641. Repealed.
SUBCHAPTER III - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
9651. Reports and studies.
(a) Implementation experiences; identification and
disposal of waste.
(b) Private insurance protection.
(c) Regulations respecting assessment of damages to
natural resources.
(d) Issues, alternatives, and policy considerations
involving selection of locations for waste
treatment, storage, and disposal facilities.
(e) Adequacy of existing common law and statutory
remedies.
(f) Modification of national contingency plan.
(g) Insurability study.
9652. Effective dates; savings provisions.
9653. Repealed.
9654. Applicability of Federal water pollution control
funding, etc., provisions.
9655. Legislative veto of rule or regulation.
(a) Transmission to Congress upon promulgation or
repromulgation of rule or regulation;
disapproval procedures.
(b) Approval; effective dates.
(c) Sessions of Congress as applicable.
(d) Congressional inaction on, or rejection of,
resolution of disapproval.
9656. Transportation of hazardous substances; listing as
hazardous material; liability for release.
9657. Separability; contribution.
9658. Actions under State law for damages from exposure to
hazardous substances.
(a) State statutes of limitations for hazardous
substance cases.
(b) Definitions.
9659. Citizens suits.
(a) Authority to bring civil actions.
(b) Venue.
(c) Relief.
(d) Rules applicable to subsection (a)(1) actions.
(e) Rules applicable to subsection (a)(2) actions.
(f) Costs.
(g) Intervention.
(h) Other rights.
(i) Definitions.
9660. Research, development, and demonstration.
(a) Hazardous substance research and training.
(b) Alternative or innovative treatment technology
research and demonstration program.
(c) Hazardous substance research.
(d) University hazardous substance research
centers.
(e) Report to Congress.
(f) Saving provision.
(g) Small business participation.
9660a. Grant program.
9661. Love Canal property acquisition.
(a) Acquisition of property in emergency
declaration area.
(b) Procedures for acquisition.
(c) State ownership.
(d) Maintenance of property.
(e) Habitability and land use study.
(f) Funding.
(g) Response.
(h) Definitions.
9662. Limitation on contract and borrowing authority.
SUBCHAPTER IV - POLLUTION INSURANCE
9671. Definitions.
9672. State laws; scope of subchapter.
(a) State laws.
(b) Scope of subchapter.
9673. Risk retention groups.
(a) Exemption.
(b) Exceptions.
(c) Application of exemptions.
(d) Agents or brokers.
9674. Purchasing groups.
(a) Exemption.
(b) Application of exemptions.
(c) Agents or brokers.
9675. Applicability of securities laws.
(a) Ownership interests.
(b) Investment Company Act.
(c) Blue sky law.
-SECREF-
CHAPTER REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This chapter is referred to in sections 300h-6, 300h-7, 6972,
11004 of this title; title 10 sections 2700, 2701, 2703; title 16
sections 410yy-3, 426n, 460lll, 460lll-46, 545b; title 26 sections
9507, 9508; title 30 section 1240a; title 33 sections 1272, 1321,
2701; title 43 sections 869-2, 1474b-1.
-End-
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42 USC SUBCHAPTER I - HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES RELEASES,
LIABILITY, COMPENSATION 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 42 - THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
CHAPTER 103 - COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE, COMPENSATION,
AND LIABILITY
SUBCHAPTER I - HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES RELEASES, LIABILITY,
COMPENSATION
-HEAD-
SUBCHAPTER I - HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES RELEASES, LIABILITY,
COMPENSATION
-SECREF-
SUBCHAPTER REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This subchapter is referred to in sections 9655, 9658, 9659 of
this title; title 26 section 9507.
-End-
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42 USC Sec. 9601 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 42 - THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
CHAPTER 103 - COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE, COMPENSATION,
AND LIABILITY
SUBCHAPTER I - HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES RELEASES, LIABILITY,
COMPENSATION
-HEAD-
Sec. 9601. Definitions
-STATUTE-
For purpose of this subchapter -
(1) The term "act of God" means an unanticipated grave natural
disaster or other natural phenomenon of an exceptional,
inevitable, and irresistible character, the effects of which
could not have been prevented or avoided by the exercise of due
care or foresight.
(2) The term "Administrator" means the Administrator of the
United States Environmental Protection Agency.
(3) The term "barrel" means forty-two United States gallons at
sixty degrees Fahrenheit.
(4) The term "claim" means a demand in writing for a sum
certain.
(5) The term "claimant" means any person who presents a claim
for compensation under this chapter.
(6) The term "damages" means damages for injury or loss of
natural resources as set forth in section 9607(a) or 9611(b) of
this title.
(7) The term "drinking water supply" means any raw or finished
water source that is or may be used by a public water system (as
defined in the Safe Drinking Water Act [42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.])
or as drinking water by one or more individuals.
(8) The term "environment" means (A) the navigable waters, the
waters of the contiguous zone, and the ocean waters of which the
natural resources are under the exclusive management authority of
the United States under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation
and Management Act [16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.], and (B) any other
surface water, ground water, drinking water supply, land surface
or subsurface strata, or ambient air within the United States or
under the jurisdiction of the United States.
(9) The term "facility" means (A) any building, structure,
installation, equipment, pipe or pipeline (including any pipe
into a sewer or publicly owned treatment works), well, pit, pond,
lagoon, impoundment, ditch, landfill, storage container, motor
vehicle, rolling stock, or aircraft, or (B) any site or area
where a hazardous substance has been deposited, stored, disposed
of, or placed, or otherwise come to be located; but does not
include any consumer product in consumer use or any vessel.
(10) The term "federally permitted release" means (A)
discharges in compliance with a permit under section 402 of the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act [33 U.S.C. 1342], (B)
discharges resulting from circumstances identified and reviewed
and made part of the public record with respect to a permit
issued or modified under section 402 of the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act and subject to a condition of such permit,
(C) continuous or anticipated intermittent discharges from a
point source, identified in a permit or permit application under
section 402 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, which are
caused by events occurring within the scope of relevant operating
or treatment systems, (D) discharges in compliance with a legally
enforceable permit under section 404 of the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act [33 U.S.C. 1344], (E) releases in
compliance with a legally enforceable final permit issued
pursuant to section 3005(a) through (d) of the Solid Waste
Disposal Act [42 U.S.C. 6925(a)-(d)] from a hazardous waste
treatment, storage, or disposal facility when such permit
specifically identifies the hazardous substances and makes such
substances subject to a standard of practice, control procedure
or bioassay limitation or condition, or other control on the
hazardous substances in such releases, (F) any release in
compliance with a legally enforceable permit issued under section
1412 of title 33 of (!1) section 1413 of title 33, (G) any
injection of fluids authorized under Federal underground
injection control programs or State programs submitted for
Federal approval (and not disapproved by the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency) pursuant to part C of the Safe
Drinking Water Act [42 U.S.C. 300h et seq.], (H) any emission
into the air subject to a permit or control regulation under
section 111 [42 U.S.C. 7411], section 112 [42 U.S.C. 7412], title
I part C [42 U.S.C. 7470 et seq.], title I part D [42 U.S.C. 7501
et seq.], or State implementation plans submitted in accordance
with section 110 of the Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C. 7410] (and not
disapproved by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency), including any schedule or waiver granted, promulgated,
or approved under these sections, (I) any injection of fluids or
other materials authorized under applicable State law (i) for the
purpose of stimulating or treating wells for the production of
crude oil, natural gas, or water, (ii) for the purpose of
secondary, tertiary, or other enhanced recovery of crude oil or
natural gas, or (iii) which are brought to the surface in
conjunction with the production of crude oil or natural gas and
which are reinjected, (J) the introduction of any pollutant into
a publicly owned treatment works when such pollutant is specified
in and in compliance with applicable pretreatment standards of
section 307(b) or (c) of the Clean Water Act [33 U.S.C. 1317(b),
(c)] and enforceable requirements in a pretreatment program
submitted by a State or municipality for Federal approval under
section 402 of such Act [33 U.S.C. 1342], and (K) any release of
source, special nuclear, or byproduct material, as those terms
are defined in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 [42 U.S.C. 2011 et
seq.], in compliance with a legally enforceable license, permit,
regulation, or order issued pursuant to the Atomic Energy Act of
1954.
(11) The term "Fund" or "Trust Fund" means the Hazardous
Substance Superfund established by section 9507 of title 26.
(12) The term "ground water" means water in a saturated zone or
stratum beneath the surface of land or water.
(13) The term "guarantor" means any person, other than the
owner or operator, who provides evidence of financial
responsibility for an owner or operator under this chapter.
(14) The term "hazardous substance" means (A) any substance
designated pursuant to section 311(b)(2)(A) of the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act [33 U.S.C. 1321(b)(2)(A)], (B) any element,
compound, mixture, solution, or substance designated pursuant to
section 9602 of this title, (C) any hazardous waste having the
characteristics identified under or listed pursuant to section
3001 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act [42 U.S.C. 6921] (but not
including any waste the regulation of which under the Solid Waste
Disposal Act [42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.] has been suspended by Act
of Congress), (D) any toxic pollutant listed under section 307(a)
of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act [33 U.S.C. 1317(a)],
(E) any hazardous air pollutant listed under section 112 of the
Clean Air Act [42 U.S.C. 7412], and (F) any imminently hazardous
chemical substance or mixture with respect to which the
Administrator has taken action pursuant to section 7 of the Toxic
Substances Control Act [15 U.S.C. 2606]. The term does not
include petroleum, including crude oil or any fraction thereof
which is not otherwise specifically listed or designated as a
hazardous substance under subparagraphs (A) through (F) of this
paragraph, and the term does not include natural gas, natural gas
liquids, liquefied natural gas, or synthetic gas usable for fuel
(or mixtures of natural gas and such synthetic gas).
(15) The term "navigable waters" or "navigable waters of the
United States" means the waters of the United States, including
the territorial seas.
(16) The term "natural resources" means land, fish, wildlife,
biota, air, water, ground water, drinking water supplies, and
other such resources belonging to, managed by, held in trust by,
appertaining to, or otherwise controlled by the United States
(including the resources of the fishery conservation zone
established by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act [16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.]), any State or local
government, any foreign government, any Indian tribe, or, if such
resources are subject to a trust restriction on alienation, any
member of an Indian tribe.
(17) The term "offshore facility" means any facility of any
kind located in, on, or under, any of the navigable waters of the
United States, and any facility of any kind which is subject to
the jurisdiction of the United States and is located in, on, or
under any other waters, other than a vessel or a public vessel.
(18) The term "onshore facility" means any facility (including,
but not limited to, motor vehicles and rolling stock) of any kind
located in, on, or under, any land or nonnavigable waters within
the United States.
(19) The term "otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the
United States" means subject to the jurisdiction of the United
States by virtue of United States citizenship, United States
vessel documentation or numbering, or as provided by
international agreement to which the United States is a party.
(20)(A) The term "owner or operator" means (i) in the case of a
vessel, any person owning, operating, or chartering by demise,
such vessel, (ii) in the case of an onshore facility or an
offshore facility, any person owning or operating such facility,
and (iii) in the case of any facility, title or control of which
was conveyed due to bankruptcy, foreclosure, tax delinquency,
abandonment, or similar means to a unit of State or local
government, any person who owned, operated, or otherwise
controlled activities at such facility immediately beforehand.
Such term does not include a person, who, without participating
in the management of a vessel or facility, holds indicia of
ownership primarily to protect his security interest in the
vessel or facility.
(B) In the case of a hazardous substance which has been
accepted for transportation by a common or contract carrier and
except as provided in section 9607(a)(3) or (4) of this title,
(i) the term "owner or operator" shall mean such common carrier
or other bona fide for hire carrier acting as an independent
contractor during such transportation, (ii) the shipper of such
hazardous substance shall not be considered to have caused or
contributed to any release during such transportation which
resulted solely from circumstances or conditions beyond his
control.
(C) In the case of a hazardous substance which has been
delivered by a common or contract carrier to a disposal or
treatment facility and except as provided in section 9607(a)(3)
or (4) of this title, (i) the term "owner or operator" shall not
include such common or contract carrier, and (ii) such common or
contract carrier shall not be considered to have caused or
contributed to any release at such disposal or treatment facility
resulting from circumstances or conditions beyond its control.
(D) The term "owner or operator" does not include a unit of
State or local government which acquired ownership or control
involuntarily through bankruptcy, tax delinquency, abandonment,
or other circumstances in which the government involuntarily
acquires title by virtue of its function as sovereign. The
exclusion provided under this paragraph shall not apply to any
State or local government which has caused or contributed to the
release or threatened release of a hazardous substance from the
facility, and such a State or local government shall be subject
to the provisions of this chapter in the same manner and to the
same extent, both procedurally and substantively, as any
nongovernmental entity, including liability under section 9607 of
this title.
(E) Exclusion of lenders not participants in management. -
(i) Indicia of ownership to protect security. - The term
"owner or operator" does not include a person that is a lender
that, without participating in the management of a vessel or
facility, holds indicia of ownership primarily to protect the
security interest of the person in the vessel or facility.
(ii) Foreclosure. - The term "owner or operator" does not
include a person that is a lender that did not participate in
management of a vessel or facility prior to foreclosure,
notwithstanding that the person -
(I) forecloses on the vessel or facility; and
(II) after foreclosure, sells, re-leases (in the case of a
lease finance transaction), or liquidates the vessel or
facility, maintains business activities, winds up operations,
undertakes a response action under section 9607(d)(1) of this
title or under the direction of an on-scene coordinator
appointed under the National Contingency Plan, with respect
to the vessel or facility, or takes any other measure to
preserve, protect, or prepare the vessel or facility prior to
sale or disposition,
if the person seeks to sell, re-lease (in the case of a lease
finance transaction), or otherwise divest the person of the
vessel or facility at the earliest practicable, commercially
reasonable time, on commercially reasonable terms, taking into
account market conditions and legal and regulatory
requirements.
(F) Participation in management. - For purposes of subparagraph
(E) -
(i) the term "participate in management" -
(I) means actually participating in the management or
operational affairs of a vessel or facility; and
(II) does not include merely having the capacity to
influence, or the unexercised right to control, vessel or
facility operations;
(ii) a person that is a lender and that holds indicia of
ownership primarily to protect a security interest in a vessel
or facility shall be considered to participate in management
only if, while the borrower is still in possession of the
vessel or facility encumbered by the security interest, the
person -
(I) exercises decisionmaking control over the environmental
compliance related to the vessel or facility, such that the
person has undertaken responsibility for the hazardous
substance handling or disposal practices related to the
vessel or facility; or
(II) exercises control at a level comparable to that of a
manager of the vessel or facility, such that the person has
assumed or manifested responsibility -
(aa) for the overall management of the vessel or facility
encompassing day-to-day decisionmaking with respect to
environmental compliance; or
(bb) over all or substantially all of the operational
functions (as distinguished from financial or
administrative functions) of the vessel or facility other
than the function of environmental compliance;
(iii) the term "participate in management" does not include
performing an act or failing to act prior to the time at which
a security interest is created in a vessel or facility; and
(iv) the term "participate in management" does not include -
(I) holding a security interest or abandoning or releasing
a security interest;
(II) including in the terms of an extension of credit, or
in a contract or security agreement relating to the
extension, a covenant, warranty, or other term or condition
that relates to environmental compliance;
(III) monitoring or enforcing the terms and conditions of
the extension of credit or security interest;
(IV) monitoring or undertaking 1 or more inspections of the
vessel or facility;
(V) requiring a response action or other lawful means of
addressing the release or threatened release of a hazardous
substance in connection with the vessel or facility prior to,
during, or on the expiration of the term of the extension of
credit;
(VI) providing financial or other advice or counseling in
an effort to mitigate, prevent, or cure default or diminution
in the value of the vessel or facility;
(VII) restructuring, renegotiating, or otherwise agreeing
to alter the terms and conditions of the extension of credit
or security interest, exercising forbearance;
(VIII) exercising other remedies that may be available
under applicable law for the breach of a term or condition of
the extension of credit or security agreement; or
(IX) conducting a response action under section 9607(d) of
this title or under the direction of an on-scene coordinator
appointed under the National Contingency Plan,
if the actions do not rise to the level of participating in
management (within the meaning of clauses (i) and (ii)).
(G) Other terms. - As used in this chapter:
(i) Extension of credit. - The term "extension of credit"
includes a lease finance transaction -
(I) in which the lessor does not initially select the
leased vessel or facility and does not during the lease term
control the daily operations or maintenance of the vessel or
facility; or
(II) that conforms with regulations issued by the
appropriate Federal banking agency or the appropriate State
bank supervisor (as those terms are defined in section 1813
of title 12 (!2) or with regulations issued by the National
Credit Union Administration Board, as appropriate.
(ii) Financial or administrative function. - The term
"financial or administrative function" includes a function such
as that of a credit manager, accounts payable officer, accounts
receivable officer, personnel manager, comptroller, or chief
financial officer, or a similar function.
(iii) Foreclosure; foreclose. - The terms "foreclosure" and
"foreclose" mean, respectively, acquiring, and to acquire, a
vessel or facility through -
(I)(aa) purchase at sale under a judgment or decree, power
of sale, or nonjudicial foreclosure sale;
(bb) a deed in lieu of foreclosure, or similar conveyance
from a trustee; or
(cc) repossession,
if the vessel or facility was security for an extension of
credit previously contracted;
(II) conveyance pursuant to an extension of credit
previously contracted, including the termination of a lease
agreement; or
(III) any other formal or informal manner by which the
person acquires, for subsequent disposition, title to or
possession of a vessel or facility in order to protect the
security interest of the person.
(iv) Lender. - The term "lender" means -
(I) an insured depository institution (as defined in
section 1813 of title 12);
(II) an insured credit union (as defined in section 1752 of
title 12);
(III) a bank or association chartered under the Farm Credit
Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 2001 et seq.);
(IV) a leasing or trust company that is an affiliate of an
insured depository institution;
(V) any person (including a successor or assignee of any
such person) that makes a bona fide extension of credit to or
takes or acquires a security interest from a nonaffiliated
person;
(VI) the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal
Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal Agricultural
Mortgage Corporation, or any other entity that in a bona fide
manner buys or sells loans or interests in loans;
(VII) a person that insures or guarantees against a default
in the repayment of an extension of credit, or acts as a
surety with respect to an extension of credit, to a
nonaffiliated person; and
(VIII) a person that provides title insurance and that
acquires a vessel or facility as a result of assignment or
conveyance in the course of underwriting claims and claims
settlement.
(v) Operational function. - The term "operational function"
includes a function such as that of a facility or plant
manager, operations manager, chief operating officer, or chief
executive officer.
(vi) Security interest. - The term "security interest"
includes a right under a mortgage, deed of trust, assignment,
judgment lien, pledge, security agreement, factoring agreement,
or lease and any other right accruing to a person to secure the
repayment of money, the performance of a duty, or any other
obligation by a nonaffiliated person.
(21) The term "person" means an individual, firm, corporation,
association, partnership, consortium, joint venture, commercial
entity, United States Government, State, municipality,
commission, political subdivision of a State, or any interstate
body.
(22) The term "release" means any spilling, leaking, pumping,
pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping,
leaching, dumping, or disposing into the environment (including
the abandonment or discarding of barrels, containers, and other
closed receptacles containing any hazardous substance or
pollutant or contaminant), but excludes (A) any release which
results in exposure to persons solely within a workplace, with
respect to a claim which such persons may assert against the
employer of such persons, (B) emissions from the engine exhaust
of a motor vehicle, rolling stock, aircraft, vessel, or pipeline
pumping station engine, (C) release of source, byproduct, or
special nuclear material from a nuclear incident, as those terms
are defined in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 [42 U.S.C. 2011 et
seq.], if such release is subject to requirements with respect to
financial protection established by the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission under section 170 of such Act [42 U.S.C. 2210], or,
for the purposes of section 9604 of this title or any other
response action, any release of source byproduct, or special
nuclear material from any processing site designated under
section 7912(a)(1) or 7942(a) of this title, and (D) the normal
application of fertilizer.
(23) The terms "remove" or "removal" means (!3) the cleanup or
removal of released hazardous substances from the environment,
such actions as may be necessary taken in the event of the threat
of release of hazardous substances into the environment, such
actions as may be necessary to monitor, assess, and evaluate the
release or threat of release of hazardous substances, the
disposal of removed material, or the taking of such other actions
as may be necessary to prevent, minimize, or mitigate damage to
the public health or welfare or to the environment, which may
otherwise result from a release or threat of release. The term
includes, in addition, without being limited to, security fencing
or other measures to limit access, provision of alternative water
supplies, temporary evacuation and housing of threatened
individuals not otherwise provided for, action taken under
section 9604(b) of this title, and any emergency assistance which
may be provided under the Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act [42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.].
(24) The terms "remedy" or "remedial action" means (!3) those
actions consistent with permanent remedy taken instead of or in
addition to removal actions in the event of a release or
threatened release of a hazardous substance into the environment,
to prevent or minimize the release of hazardous substances so
that they do not migrate to cause substantial danger to present
or future public health or welfare or the environment. The term
includes, but is not limited to, such actions at the location of
the release as storage, confinement, perimeter protection using
dikes, trenches, or ditches, clay cover, neutralization, cleanup
of released hazardous substances and associated contaminated
materials, recycling or reuse, diversion, destruction,
segregation of reactive wastes, dredging or excavations, repair
or replacement of leaking containers, collection of leachate and
runoff, onsite treatment or incineration, provision of
alternative water supplies, and any monitoring reasonably
required to assure that such actions protect the public health
and welfare and the environment. The term includes the costs of
permanent relocation of residents and businesses and community
facilities where the President determines that, alone or in
combination with other measures, such relocation is more
cost-effective than and environmentally preferable to the
transportation, storage, treatment, destruction, or secure
disposition offsite of hazardous substances, or may otherwise be
necessary to protect the public health or welfare; the term
includes offsite transport and offsite storage, treatment,
destruction, or secure disposition of hazardous substances and
associated contaminated materials.
(25) The terms "respond" or "response" means (!3) remove,
removal, remedy, and remedial action;,(!4) all such terms
(including the terms "removal" and "remedial action") include
enforcement activities related thereto.
(26) The terms "transport" or "transportation" means (!3) the
movement of a hazardous substance by any mode, including a
hazardous liquid pipeline facility (as defined in section
60101(a) of title 49), and in the case of a hazardous substance
which has been accepted for transportation by a common or
contract carrier, the term "transport" or "transportation" shall
include any stoppage in transit which is temporary, incidental to
the transportation movement, and at the ordinary operating
convenience of a common or contract carrier, and any such
stoppage shall be considered as a continuity of movement and not
as the storage of a hazardous substance.
(27) The terms "United States" and "State" include the several
States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United
States Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas,
and any other territory or possession over which the United
States has jurisdiction.
(28) The term "vessel" means every description of watercraft or
other artificial contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a
means of transportation on water.
(29) The terms "disposal", "hazardous waste", and "treatment"
shall have the meaning provided in section 1004 of the Solid
Waste Disposal Act [42 U.S.C. 6903].
(30) The terms "territorial sea" and "contiguous zone" shall
have the meaning provided in section 502 of the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act [33 U.S.C. 1362].
(31) The term "national contingency plan" means the national
contingency plan published under section 311(c) (!5) of the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act or revised pursuant to
section 9605 of this title.
(32) The terms "liable" or "liability" under this subchapter
shall be construed to be the standard of liability which obtains
under section 311 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act [33
U.S.C. 1321].
(33) The term "pollutant or contaminant" shall include, but not
be limited to, any element, substance, compound, or mixture,
including disease-causing agents, which after release into the
environment and upon exposure, ingestion, inhalation, or
assimilation into any organism, either directly from the
environment or indirectly by ingestion through food chains, will
or may reasonably be anticipated to cause death, disease,
behavioral abnormalities, cancer, genetic mutation, physiological
malfunctions (including malfunctions in reproduction) or physical
deformations, in such organisms or their offspring; except that
the term "pollutant or contaminant" shall not include petroleum,
including crude oil or any fraction thereof which is not
otherwise specifically listed or designated as a hazardous
substance under subparagraphs (A) through (F) of paragraph (14)
and shall not include natural gas, liquefied natural gas, or
synthetic gas of pipeline quality (or mixtures of natural gas and
such synthetic gas).
(34) The term "alternative water supplies" includes, but is not
limited to, drinking water and household water supplies.
(35)(A) The term "contractual relationship", for the purpose of
section 9607(b)(3) of this title, includes, but is not limited
to, land contracts, deeds, easements, leases, or other
instruments transferring title or possession, unless the real
property on which the facility concerned is located was acquired
by the defendant after the disposal or placement of the hazardous
substance on, in, or at the facility, and one or more of the
circumstances described in clause (i), (ii), or (iii) is also
established by the defendant by a preponderance of the evidence:
(i) At the time the defendant acquired the facility the
defendant did not know and had no reason to know that any
hazardous substance which is the subject of the release or
threatened release was disposed of on, in, or at the facility.
(ii) The defendant is a government entity which acquired the
facility by escheat, or through any other involuntary transfer
or acquisition, or through the exercise of eminent domain
authority by purchase or condemnation.
(iii) The defendant acquired the facility by inheritance or
bequest.
In addition to establishing the foregoing, the defendant must
establish that the defendant has satisfied the requirements of
section 9607(b)(3)(a) and (b) of this title, provides full
cooperation, assistance, and facility access to the persons that
are authorized to conduct response actions at the facility
(including the cooperation and access necessary for the
installation, integrity, operation, and maintenance of any
complete or partial response action at the facility), is in
compliance with any land use restrictions established or relied
on in connection with the response action at a facility, and does
not impede the effectiveness or integrity of any institutional
control employed at the facility in connection with a response
action.
(B) Reason to know. -
(i) All appropriate inquiries. - To establish that the
defendant had no reason to know of the matter described in
subparagraph (A)(i), the defendant must demonstrate to a court
that -
(I) on or before the date on which the defendant acquired
the facility, the defendant carried out all appropriate
inquiries, as provided in clauses (ii) and (iv), into the
previous ownership and uses of the facility in accordance
with generally accepted good commercial and customary
standards and practices; and
(II) the defendant took reasonable steps to -
(aa) stop any continuing release;
(bb) prevent any threatened future release; and
(cc) prevent or limit any human, environmental, or
natural resource exposure to any previously released
hazardous substance.
(ii) Standards and practices. - Not later than 2 years after
January 11, 2002, the Administrator shall by regulation
establish standards and practices for the purpose of satisfying
the requirement to carry out all appropriate inquiries under
clause (i).
(iii) Criteria. - In promulgating regulations that establish
the standards and practices referred to in clause (ii), the
Administrator shall include each of the following:
(I) The results of an inquiry by an environmental
professional.
(II) Interviews with past and present owners, operators,
and occupants of the facility for the purpose of gathering
information regarding the potential for contamination at the
facility.
(III) Reviews of historical sources, such as chain of title
documents, aerial photographs, building department records,
and land use records, to determine previous uses and
occupancies of the real property since the property was first
developed.
(IV) Searches for recorded environmental cleanup liens
against the facility that are filed under Federal, State, or
local law.
(V) Reviews of Federal, State, and local government
records, waste disposal records, underground storage tank
records, and hazardous waste handling, generation, treatment,
disposal, and spill records, concerning contamination at or
near the facility.
(VI) Visual inspections of the facility and of adjoining
properties.
(VII) Specialized knowledge or experience on the part of
the defendant.
(VIII) The relationship of the purchase price to the value
of the property, if the property was not contaminated.
(IX) Commonly known or reasonably ascertainable information
about the property.
(X) The degree of obviousness of the presence or likely
presence of contamination at the property, and the ability to
detect the contamination by appropriate investigation.
(iv) Interim standards and practices. -
(I) Property purchased before may 31, 1997. - With respect
to property purchased before May 31, 1997, in making a
determination with respect to a defendant described in clause
(i), a court shall take into account -
(aa) any specialized knowledge or experience on the part
of the defendant;
(bb) the relationship of the purchase price to the value
of the property, if the property was not contaminated;
(cc) commonly known or reasonably ascertainable
information about the property;
(dd) the obviousness of the presence or likely presence
of contamination at the property; and
(ee) the ability of the defendant to detect the
contamination by appropriate inspection.
(II) Property purchased on or after may 31, 1997. - With
respect to property purchased on or after May 31, 1997, and
until the Administrator promulgates the regulations described
in clause (ii), the procedures of the American Society for
Testing and Materials, including the document known as
"Standard E1527-97", entitled "Standard Practice for
Environmental Site Assessment: Phase 1 Environmental Site
Assessment Process", shall satisfy the requirements in clause
(i).
(v) Site inspection and title search. - In the case of
property for residential use or other similar use purchased by
a nongovernmental or noncommercial entity, a facility
inspection and title search that reveal no basis for further
investigation shall be considered to satisfy the requirements
of this subparagraph.
(C) Nothing in this paragraph or in section 9607(b)(3) of this
title shall diminish the liability of any previous owner or
operator of such facility who would otherwise be liable under
this chapter. Notwithstanding this paragraph, if the defendant
obtained actual knowledge of the release or threatened release of
a hazardous substance at such facility when the defendant owned
the real property and then subsequently transferred ownership of
the property to another person without disclosing such knowledge,
such defendant shall be treated as liable under section
9607(a)(1) of this title and no defense under section 9607(b)(3)
of this title shall be available to such defendant.
(D) Nothing in this paragraph shall affect the liability under
this chapter of a defendant who, by any act or omission, caused
or contributed to the release or threatened release of a
hazardous substance which is the subject of the action relating
to the facility.
(36) The term "Indian tribe" means any Indian tribe, band,
nation, or other organized group or community, including any
Alaska Native village but not including any Alaska Native
regional or village corporation, which is recognized as eligible
for the special programs and services provided by the United
States to Indians because of their status as Indians.
(37)(A) The term "service station dealer" means any person -
(i) who owns or operates a motor vehicle service station,
filling station, garage, or similar retail establishment
engaged in the business of selling, repairing, or servicing
motor vehicles, where a significant percentage of the gross
revenue of the establishment is derived from the fueling,
repairing, or servicing of motor vehicles, and
(ii) who accepts for collection, accumulation, and delivery
to an oil recycling facility, recycled oil that (I) has been
removed from the engine of a light duty motor vehicle or
household appliances by the owner of such vehicle or
appliances, and (II) is presented, by such owner, to such
person for collection, accumulation, and delivery to an oil
recycling facility.
(B) For purposes of section 9614(c) of this title, the term
"service station dealer" shall, notwithstanding the provisions of
subparagraph (A), include any government agency that establishes
a facility solely for the purpose of accepting recycled oil that
satisfies the criteria set forth in subclauses (I) and (II) of
subparagraph (A)(ii), and, with respect to recycled oil that
satisfies the criteria set forth in subclauses (I) and (II),
owners or operators of refuse collection services who are
compelled by State law to collect, accumulate, and deliver such
oil to an oil recycling facility.
(C) The President shall promulgate regulations regarding the
determination of what constitutes a significant percentage of the
gross revenues of an establishment for purposes of this
paragraph.
(38) The term "incineration vessel" means any vessel which
carries hazardous substances for the purpose of incineration of
such substances, so long as such substances or residues of such
substances are on board.
(39) Brownfield site. -
(A) In general. - The term "brownfield site" means real
property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may
be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a
hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.
(B) Exclusions. - The term "brownfield site" does not include
-
(i) a facility that is the subject of a planned or ongoing
removal action under this subchapter;
(ii) a facility that is listed on the National Priorities
List or is proposed for listing;
(iii) a facility that is the subject of a unilateral
administrative order, a court order, an administrative order
on consent or judicial consent decree that has been issued to
or entered into by the parties under this chapter;
(iv) a facility that is the subject of a unilateral
administrative order, a court order, an administrative order
on consent or judicial consent decree that has been issued to
or entered into by the parties, or a facility to which a
permit has been issued by the United States or an authorized
State under the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et
seq.), the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C.
1321) [33 U.S.C. Sec. 1251 et seq.], the Toxic Substances
Control Act (15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.), or the Safe Drinking
Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.);
(v) a facility that -
(I) is subject to corrective action under section 3004(u)
or 3008(h) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C.
6924(u), 6928(h)); and
(II) to which a corrective action permit or order has
been issued or modified to require the implementation of
corrective measures;
(vi) a land disposal unit with respect to which -
(I) a closure notification under subtitle C of the Solid
Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6921 et seq.) has been
submitted; and
(II) closure requirements have been specified in a
closure plan or permit;
(vii) a facility that is subject to the jurisdiction,
custody, or control of a department, agency, or
instrumentality of the United States, except for land held in
trust by the United States for an Indian tribe;
(viii) a portion of a facility -
(I) at which there has been a release of polychlorinated
biphenyls; and
(II) that is subject to remediation under the Toxic
Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.); or
(ix) a portion of a facility, for which portion, assistance
for response activity has been obtained under subtitle I of
the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6991 et seq.) from
the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund established
under section 9508 of title 26.
(C) Site-by-site determinations. - Notwithstanding
subparagraph (B) and on a site-by-site basis, the President may
authorize financial assistance under section 9604(k) of this
title to an eligible entity at a site included in clause (i),
(iv), (v), (vi), (viii), or (ix) of subparagraph (B) if the
President finds that financial assistance will protect human
health and the environment, and either promote economic
development or enable the creation of, preservation of, or
addition to parks, greenways, undeveloped property, other
recreational property, or other property used for nonprofit
purposes.
(D) Additional areas. - For the purposes of section 9604(k)
of this title, the term "brownfield site" includes a site that
-
(i) meets the definition of "brownfield site" under
subparagraphs (A) through (C); and
(ii)(I) is contaminated by a controlled substance (as
defined in section 802 of title 21);
(II)(aa) is contaminated by petroleum or a petroleum
product excluded from the definition of "hazardous substance"
under this section; and
(bb) is a site determined by the Administrator or the
State, as appropriate, to be -
(AA) of relatively low risk, as compared with other
petroleum-only sites in the State; and
(BB) a site for which there is no viable responsible
party and which will be assessed, investigated, or cleaned
up by a person that is not potentially liable for cleaning
up the site; and
(cc) is not subject to any order issued under section
9003(h) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6991b(h));
or
(III) is mine-scarred land.
(40) Bona fide prospective purchaser. - The term "bona fide
prospective purchaser" means a person (or a tenant of a person)
that acquires ownership of a facility after January 11, 2002, and
that establishes each of the following by a preponderance of the
evidence:
(A) Disposal prior to acquisition. - All disposal of
hazardous substances at the facility occurred before the person
acquired the facility.
(B) Inquiries. -
(i) In general. - The person made all appropriate inquiries
into the previous ownership and uses of the facility in
accordance with generally accepted good commercial and
customary standards and practices in accordance with clauses
(ii) and (iii).
(ii) Standards and practices. - The standards and practices
referred to in clauses (ii) and (iv) of paragraph (35)(B)
shall be considered to satisfy the requirements of this
subparagraph.
(iii) Residential use. - In the case of property in
residential or other similar use at the time of purchase by a
nongovernmental or noncommercial entity, a facility
inspection and title search that reveal no basis for further
investigation shall be considered to satisfy the requirements
of this subparagraph.
(C) Notices. - The person provides all legally required
notices with respect to the discovery or release of any
hazardous substances at the facility.
(D) Care. - The person exercises appropriate care with
respect to hazardous substances found at the facility by taking
reasonable steps to -
(i) stop any continuing release;
(ii) prevent any threatened future release; and
(iii) prevent or limit human, environmental, or natural
resource exposure to any previously released hazardous
substance.
(E) Cooperation, assistance, and access. - The person
provides full cooperation, assistance, and access to persons
that are authorized to conduct response actions or natural
resource restoration at a vessel or facility (including the
cooperation and access necessary for the installation,
integrity, operation, and maintenance of any complete or
partial response actions or natural resource restoration at the
vessel or facility).
(F) Institutional control. - The person -
(i) is in compliance with any land use restrictions
established or relied on in connection with the response
action at a vessel or facility; and
(ii) does not impede the effectiveness or integrity of any
institutional control employed at the vessel or facility in
connection with a response action.
(G) Requests; subpoenas. - The person complies with any
request for information or administrative subpoena issued by
the President under this chapter.
(H) No affiliation. - The person is not -
(i) potentially liable, or affiliated with any other person
that is potentially liable, for response costs at a facility
through -
(I) any direct or indirect familial relationship; or
(II) any contractual, corporate, or financial
relationship (other than a contractual, corporate, or
financial relationship that is created by the instruments
by which title to the facility is conveyed or financed or
by a contract for the sale of goods or services); or
(ii) the result of a reorganization of a business entity
that was potentially liable.
(41) Eligible response site. -
(A) In general. - The term "eligible response site" means a
site that meets the definition of a brownfield site in
subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (39), as modified by
subparagraphs (B) and (C) of this paragraph.
(B) Inclusions. - The term "eligible response site" includes
-
(i) notwithstanding paragraph (39)(B)(ix), a portion of a
facility, for which portion assistance for response activity
has been obtained under subtitle I of the Solid Waste
Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6991 et seq.) from the Leaking
Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund established under section
9508 of title 26; or
(ii) a site for which, notwithstanding the exclusions
provided in subparagraph (C) or paragraph (39)(B), the
President determines, on a site-by-site basis and after
consultation with the State, that limitations on enforcement
under section 9628 of this title at sites specified in clause
(iv), (v), (vi) or (viii) of paragraph (39)(B) would be
appropriate and will -
(I) protect human health and the environment; and
(II) promote economic development or facilitate the
creation of, preservation of, or addition to a park, a
greenway, undeveloped property, recreational property, or
other property used for nonprofit purposes.
(C) Exclusions. - The term "eligible response site" does not
include -
(i) a facility for which the President -
(I) conducts or has conducted a preliminary assessment or
site inspection; and
(II) after consultation with the State, determines or has
determined that the site obtains a preliminary score
sufficient for possible listing on the National Priorities
List, or that the site otherwise qualifies for listing on
the National Priorities List; unless the President has made
a determination that no further Federal action will be
taken; or
(ii) facilities that the President determines warrant
particular consideration as identified by regulation, such as
sites posing a threat to a sole-source drinking water aquifer
or a sensitive ecosystem.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 96-510, title I, Sec. 101, Dec. 11, 1980, 94 Stat. 2767;
Pub. L. 96-561, title II, Sec. 238(b), Dec. 22, 1980, 94 Stat.
3300; Pub. L. 99-499, title I, Secs. 101, 114(b), 127(a), title V,
Sec. 517(c)(2), Oct. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 1615, 1652, 1692, 1774;
Pub. L. 100-707, title I, Sec. 109(v), Nov. 23, 1988, 102 Stat.
4710; Pub. L. 103-429, Sec. 7(e)(1), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4390;
Pub. L. 104-208, div. A, title I, Sec. 101(a) [title II, Sec.
211(b)], title II, Sec. 2502(b), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009,
3009-41, 3009-464; Pub. L. 104-287, Sec. 6(j)(1), Oct. 11, 1996,
110 Stat. 3399; Pub. L. 106-74, title IV, Sec. 427, Oct. 20, 1999,
113 Stat. 1095; Pub. L. 107-118, title II, Secs. 211(a), 222(a),
223, 231(a), Jan. 11, 2002, 115 Stat. 2360, 2370, 2372, 2375.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in pars. (5), (13), (20)(D), (G),
(35)(C), (D), (39)(B)(iii), and (40)(G), was in the original "this
Act", meaning Pub. L. 96-510, Dec. 11, 1980, 94 Stat. 2767, as
amended, known as the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note below
and Tables.
The Safe Drinking Water Act, referred to in pars. (7), (10), and
(39)(B)(iv), is title XIV of act July 1, 1944, as added Dec. 16,
1974, Pub. L. 93-523, Sec. 2(a), 88 Stat. 1660, as amended, which
is classified generally to subchapter XII (Sec. 300f et seq.) of
chapter 6A of this title. Part C of the Safe Drinking Water Act is
classified generally to part C (Sec. 300h et seq.) of subchapter
XII of chapter 6A of this title. For complete classification of
this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section
201 of this title and Tables.
The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act,
referred to in pars. (8) and (16), is Pub. L. 94-265, Apr. 13,
1976, 90 Stat. 331, as amended, which is classified principally to
chapter 38 (Sec. 1801 et seq.) of Title 16, Conservation. The
fishery conservation zone established by this Act, referred to in
par. (16), was established by section 101 of this Act (16 U.S.C.
1811), which as amended generally by Pub. L. 99-659, title I, Sec.
101(b), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3706, relates to United States
sovereign rights and fishery management authority over fish within
the exclusive economic zone as defined in section 1802 of Title 16.
For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short
Title note set out under section 1801 of Title 16 and Tables.
The Clean Air Act, referred to in par. (10), is act July 14,
1955, ch. 360, as amended generally by Pub. L. 88-206, Dec. 17,
1963, 77 Stat. 392, and later by Pub. L. 95-95, Aug. 7, 1977, 91
Stat. 685. The Clean Air Act was originally classified to chapter
15B (Sec. 1857 et seq.) of this title. On enactment of Pub. L.
95-95, the Act was reclassified to chapter 85 (Sec. 7401 et seq.)
of this title. Parts C and D of title I of the Clean Air Act are
classified generally to parts C (Sec. 7470 et seq.) and D (Sec.
7501 et seq.), respectively, of subchapter I of chapter 85 of this
title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title note set out under section 7401 of this title and
Tables.
The Atomic Energy Act of 1954, referred to in pars. (10) and
(22), is act Aug. 1, 1946, ch. 724, as added by act Aug. 30, 1954,
ch. 1073, Sec. 1, 68 Stat. 921, and amended, which is classified
generally to chapter 23 (Sec. 2011 et seq.) of this title. For
complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title
note set out under section 2011 of this title and Tables.
The Solid Waste Disposal Act, referred to in pars. (14),
(39)(B)(iv), (vi)(I), (ix), and (41)(B)(i), is title II of Pub. L.
89-272, Oct. 20, 1965, 79 Stat. 997, as amended generally by Pub.
L. 94-580, Sec. 2, Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2795, which is
classified generally to chapter 82 (Sec. 6901 et seq.) of this
title. Subtitles C and I of the Act are classified generally to
subchapters III (Sec. 6921 et seq.) and IX (Sec. 6991 et seq.),
respectively, of chapter 82 of this title. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set
out under section 6901 of this title and Tables.
The Farm Credit Act of 1971, referred to in par.
(20)(G)(iv)(III), is Pub. L. 92-181, Dec. 10, 1971, 85 Stat. 583,
as amended, which is classified generally to chapter 23 (Sec. 2001
et seq.) of Title 12, Banks and Banking. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set
out under section 2001 of Title 12 and Tables.
The Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, referred to in
par. (23), is Pub. L. 93-288, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 143, as
amended, known as the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act, which is classified principally to
chapter 68 (Sec. 5121 et seq.) of this title. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set
out under section 5121 of this title and Tables.
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, referred to in par.
(39)(B)(iv), is act June 30, 1948, ch. 758, as amended generally by
Pub. L. 92-500, Sec. 2, Oct. 18, 1972, 86 Stat. 816, also known as
the Clean Water Act, which is classified generally to chapter 26
(Sec. 1251 et seq.) of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters.
Section 311(c) of the Act was amended generally by Pub. L. 101-380,
title IV, Sec. 4201(a), Aug. 18, 1990, 104 Stat. 523, and no longer
contains provisions directing the publishing of a National
Contingency Plan. However, such provisions are contained in section
1321(d) of Title 33. For complete classification of this Act to the
Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1251 of Title 33
and Tables.
The Toxic Substances Control Act, referred to in par.
(39)(B)(iv), (viii)(II), is Pub. L. 94-469, Oct. 11, 1976, 90 Stat.
2003, as amended, which is classified generally to chapter 53 (Sec.
2601 et seq.) of Title 15, Commerce and Trade. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set
out under section 2601 of Title 15 and Tables.
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
2002 - Par. (35)(A). Pub. L. 107-118, Sec. 223(1), in
introductory provisions substituted "deeds, easements, leases, or"
for "deeds or" and in concluding provisions substituted "the
defendant has satisfied" for "he has satisfied" and inserted before
period at end ", provides full cooperation, assistance, and
facility access to the persons that are authorized to conduct
response actions at the facility (including the cooperation and
access necessary for the installation, integrity, operation, and
maintenance of any complete or partial response action at the
facility), is in compliance with any land use restrictions
established or relied on in connection with the response action at
a facility, and does not impede the effectiveness or integrity of
any institutional control employed at the facility in connection
with a response action".
Par. (35)(B). Pub. L. 107-118, Sec. 223(2), added subpar. (B) and
struck out former subpar. (B) which read as follows: "To establish
that the defendant had no reason to know, as provided in clause (i)
of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the defendant must have
undertaken, at the time of acquisition, all appropriate inquiry
into the previous ownership and uses of the property consistent
with good commercial or customary practice in an effort to minimize
liability. For purposes of the preceding sentence the court shall
take into account any specialized knowledge or experience on the
part of the defendant, the relationship of the purchase price to
the value of the property if uncontaminated, commonly known or
reasonably ascertainable information about the property, the
obviousness of the presence or likely presence of contamination at
the property, and the ability to detect such contamination by
appropriate inspection."
Par. (39). Pub. L. 107-118, Sec. 211(a), added par. (39).
Par. (40). Pub. L. 107-118, Sec. 222(a), added par. (40).
Par. (41). Pub. L. 107-118, Sec. 231(a), added par. (41).
1999 - Par. (20)(D). Pub. L. 106-74, which directed the amendment
of subpar. (D) by inserting "through seizure or otherwise in
connection with law enforcement activity" before "involuntary" the
first place it appears, could not be executed because the word
"involuntary" does not appear in subpar. (D).
1996 - Pars. (8), (16). Pub. L. 104-208, Sec. 101(a) [title II,
Sec. 211(b)], substituted "Magnuson-Stevens Fishery" for "Magnuson
Fishery".
Par. (20)(E) to (G). Pub. L. 104-208, Sec. 2502(b), added
subpars. (E) to (G).
Par. (26). Pub. L. 104-287 substituted "section 60101(a) of title
49" for "the Pipeline Safety Act".
1994 - Par. (26). Pub. L. 103-429 substituted "a hazardous liquid
pipeline facility" for "pipeline".
1988 - Par. (23). Pub. L. 100-707 substituted "Disaster Relief
and Emergency Assistance Act" for "Disaster Relief Act of 1974".
1986 - Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 101(f), struck out ", the term" after
"subchapter" in introductory text.
Pars. (1) to (10). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 101(f), inserted "The
term" and substituted a period for the semicolon at end.
Par. (11). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 517(c)(2), amended par. (11)
generally. Prior to amendment, par. (11) read as follows: "The term
'Fund' or 'Trust Fund' means the Hazardous Substance Response Fund
established by section 9631 of this title or, in the case of a
hazardous waste disposal facility for which liability has been
transferred under section 9607(k) of this title, the Post-closure
Liability Fund established by section 9641 of this title."
Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 101(f), inserted "The term" and substituted
a period for the semicolon at end.
Pars. (12) to (15). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 101(f), inserted "The
term" and substituted a period for the semicolon at end.
Par. (16). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 101(a), (f), inserted "The term",
struck out "or" after "local government," inserted ", any Indian
tribe, or, if such resources are subject to a trust restriction on
alienation, any member of an Indian tribe", and substituted a
period for the semicolon at end.
Pars. (17) to (19). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 101(f), inserted "The
term" and substituted a period for the semicolon at end.
Par. (20)(A). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 101(f), inserted "The term".
Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 101(b)(2), amended cl. (iii) generally.
Prior to amendment, cl. (iii) read as follows: "in the case of any
abandoned facility, any person who owned, operated, or otherwise
controlled activities at such facility immediately prior to such
abandonment."
Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 101(b)(3), in provisions following subcl.
(iii), substituted a period for the semicolon at end.
Par. (20)(B), (C). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 101(b)(3), substituted
"In the case" for "in the case" and a period for the semicolon at
end.
Par. (20)(D). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 101(b)(1), (f), added subpar.
(D). The part of Sec. 101(f) of Pub. L. 99-499 which directed the
amendment of par. (20) by changing the semicolon at end to a period
could not be executed in view of the prior amendment of par. (20)
by Sec. 101(b)(1) of Pub. L. 99-499 which added subpar. (D) ending
in a period.
Par. (21). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 101(f), inserted "The term" and
substituted a period for the semicolon at end.
Par. (22). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 101(c), (f), inserted "The term"
and "(including the abandonment or discarding of barrels,
containers, and other closed receptacles containing any hazardous
substance or pollutant or contaminant)", substituted a period for
the semicolon at end.
Par. (23). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 101(f), inserted "The terms" and
substituted a period for the semicolon at end.
Par. (24). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 101(d), (f), inserted "The terms"
and substituted "and associated contaminated materials" for "or
contaminated materials" and "welfare; the term includes offsite
transport and offsite storage, treatment, destruction, or secure
disposition of hazardous substances and associated contaminated
materials." for "welfare. The term does not include offsite
transport of hazardous substances, or the storage, treatment,
destruction, or secure disposition offsite of such hazardous
substances or contaminated materials unless the President
determines that such actions (A) are more cost-effective than other
remedial actions, (B) will create new capacity to manage, in
compliance with subtitle C of the Solid Waste Disposal Act [42
U.S.C. 6921 et seq.], hazardous substances in addition to those
located at the affected facility, or (C) are necessary to protect
public health or welfare or the environment from a present or
potential risk which may be created by further exposure to the
continued presence of such substances or materials;". The part of
Sec. 101(f) of Pub. L. 99-499 which directed amendment of par. (24)
by changing the semicolon at end to a period could not be executed
in view of prior amendment of par. (24) by Sec. 101(d) of Pub. L.
99-499 which substituted language at end of par. (24) ending in a
period for former language ending in a semicolon.
Par. (25). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 101(e), (f), inserted "The terms"
and ", all such terms (including the terms 'removal' and 'remedial
action') include enforcement activities related thereto." The part
of Sec. 101(f) of Pub. L. 99-499 which directed amendment of par.
(25) by changing the semicolon at end to a period could not be
executed in view of prior amendment of par. (25) by Sec. 101(e) of
Pub. L. 99-499 inserting language and a period at end of par. (25).
Pars. (26), (27). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 101(f), inserted "The
terms" and substituted a period for the semicolon at end.
Par. (28). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 101(f), inserted "The term" and
substituted a period for the semicolon at end.
Par. (29). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 101(f), inserted "The terms" and
substituted a period for the semicolon at end.
Par. (30). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 101(f), inserted "The terms".
Par. (31). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 101(f), inserted "The term" and
substituted a period for "; and".
Par. (32). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 101(f), inserted "The terms".
Pars. (33) to (36). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 101(f), added pars. (33)
to (36).
Par. (37). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 114(b), added par. (37).
Par. (38). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 127(a), added par. (38).
1980 - Pars. (8), (16). Pub. L. 96-561 substituted "Magnuson
Fishery Conservation and Management Act" for "Fishery Conservation
and Management Act of 1976".
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1996 AMENDMENT
Section 101(a) [title II, Sec. 211(b)] of div. A of Pub. L.
104-208 provided that the amendment made by that section is
effective 15 days after Oct. 11, 1996.
Amendment by section 2502(b) of Pub. L. 104-208 applicable with
respect to any claim that has not been finally adjudicated as of
Sept. 30, 1996, see section 2505 of Pub. L. 104-208, set out as a
note under section 6991b of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1986 AMENDMENT
Section 4 of Pub. L. 99-499 provided that: "Except as otherwise
specified in section 121(b) of this Act [set out as an Effective
Date note under section 9621 of this title] or in any other
provision of titles I, II, III, and IV of this Act [see Tables for
classification], the amendments made by titles I through IV of this
Act [enacting subchapter IV of this chapter and sections 9616 to
9626, 9658 to 9660, and 9661 of this title and sections 2701 to
2707 and 2810 of Title 10, Armed Forces, amending sections 6926,
6928, 6991 to 6991d, 6991g, 9601 to 9609, 9611 to 9614, 9631, 9651,
9656, and 9657 of this title and section 1416 of Title 33,
Navigation and Navigable Waters, and renumbering former section
2701 of Title 10 as section 2721 of Title 10] shall take effect on
the enactment of this Act [Oct. 17, 1986]."
Amendment by section 517(c)(2) of Pub. L. 99-499 effective Jan.
1, 1987, see section 517(e) of Pub. L. 99-499, set out as an
Effective Date note under section 9507 of Title 26, Internal
Revenue Code.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1980 AMENDMENT
Section 238(b) of Pub. L. 96-561 provided that the amendment made
by that section is effective 15 days after Dec. 22, 1980.
SHORT TITLE OF 2002 AMENDMENTS
Pub. L. 107-118, Sec. 1, Jan. 11, 2002, 115 Stat. 2356, provided
that: "This Act [enacting section 9628 of this title, amending this
section and sections 9604, 9605, 9607, and 9622 of this title, and
enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and section
9607 of this title] may be cited as the 'Small Business Liability
Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act'."
Pub. L. 107-118, title I, Sec. 101, Jan. 11, 2002, 115 Stat.
2356, provided that: "This title [amending sections 9607 and 9622
of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under
section 9607 of this title] may be cited as the 'Small Business
Liability Protection Act'."
Pub. L. 107-118, title II, Sec. 201, Jan. 11, 2002, 115 Stat.
2360, provided that: "This title [enacting section 9628 of this
title and amending this section and sections 9604, 9605, and 9607
of this title] may be cited as the 'Brownfields Revitalization and
Environmental Restoration Act of 2001'."
SHORT TITLE OF 1996 AMENDMENT
Section 2501 of div. A of Pub. L. 104-208 provided that: "This
subtitle [subtitle E (Secs. 2501-2505) of title II of div. A of
Pub. L. 104-208, amending this section and sections 6991b and 9607
of this title and enacting provisions set out as a note under
section 6991b of this title] may be cited as the 'Asset
Conservation, Lender Liability, and Deposit Insurance Protection
Act of 1996'."
SHORT TITLE OF 1992 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 102-426, Sec. 1, Oct. 19, 1992, 106 Stat. 2174, provided
that: "This Act [amending section 9620 of this title and enacting
provisions set out as a note under section 9620 of this title] may
be cited as the 'Community Environmental Response Facilitation
Act'."
SHORT TITLE OF 1986 AMENDMENT
Section 1 of Pub. L. 99-499 provided that: "This Act [enacting
subchapter IV of this chapter and sections 9616 to 9626, 9658 to
9662, 11001 to 11005, 11021 to 11023, and 11041 to 11050 of this
title, sections 2701 to 2707 and 2810 of Title 10, Armed Forces,
and sections 59A, 4671, 4672, 9507, and 9508 of Title 26, Internal
Revenue Code, amending this section, sections 6926, 6928, 6991 to
6991d, 6991g, 9602 to 9609, 9611 to 9614, 9631, 9651, 9656, and
9657 of this title, sections 26, 164, 275, 936, 1561, 4041, 4042,
4081, 4221, 4611, 4612, 4661, 4662, 6154, 6416, 6420, 6421, 6425,
6427, 6655, 9502, 9503, and 9506 of Title 26, and section 1416 of
Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters, renumbering former
section 2701 of Title 10 as section 2721 of Title 10, repealing
sections 9631 to 9633, 9641, and 9653 of this title and sections
4681 and 4682 of Title 26, and enacting provisions set out as notes
under this section, sections 6921, 6991b, 7401, 9620, 9621, 9658,
9660, 9661, and 11001 of this title, section 2703 of Title 10,
sections 1, 26, 4041, 4611, 4661, 4671, 4681, 9507, and 9508 of
Title 26, and section 655 of Title 29, Labor] may be cited as the
'Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986'."
SHORT TITLE
Section 1 of Pub. L. 96-510 provided: "That this Act [enacting
this chapter, section 6911a of this title, and sections 4611, 4612,
4661, 4662, 4681, and 4682 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code,
amending section 6911 of this title, section 1364 of Title 33,
Navigation and Navigable Waters, and section 11901 of Title 49,
Transportation, and enacting provisions set out as notes under
section 6911 of this title and sections 1 and 4611 of Title 26] may
be cited as the 'Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980'."
-TRANS-
TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For transfer of certain functions from Nuclear Regulatory
Commission to Chairman thereof, see Reorg. Plan No. 1 of 1980, 45
F.R. 40561, 94 Stat. 3585, set out as a note under section 5841 of
this title.
-EXEC-
TERRITORIAL SEA AND CONTIGUOUS ZONE OF UNITED STATES
For extension of territorial sea and contiguous zone of United
States, see Proc. No. 5928 and Proc. No. 7219, respectively, set
out as notes under section 1331 of Title 43, Public Lands.
-CROSS-
DEFINITIONS
Section 2 of Pub. L. 99-499 provided that: "As used in this Act
[see Short Title of 1986 Amendment note above] -
"(1) CERCLA. - The term 'CERCLA' means the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980
(42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.).
"(2) Administrator. - The term 'Administrator' means the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency."
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 300g-1, 6991, 6991b,
7274q, 9602, 9603, 9604, 9607, 9613, 9624, 9656, 11004 of this
title; title 7 section 1985; title 10 sections 2692, 2700, 2701,
2703, 2708; title 14 section 690; title 16 section 460lll; title 26
section 198; title 33 section 2701.
-FOOTNOTE-
(!1) So in original. Probably should be "or".
(!2) So in original. Probably should be followed by a closing
parenthesis.
(!3) So in original. Probably should be "mean".
(!4) So in original.
(!5) See References in Text note below.
-End-
-CITE-
42 USC Sec. 9602 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 42 - THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
CHAPTER 103 - COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE, COMPENSATION,
AND LIABILITY
SUBCHAPTER I - HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES RELEASES, LIABILITY,
COMPENSATION
-HEAD-
Sec. 9602. Designation of additional hazardous substances and
establishment of reportable released quantities; regulations
-STATUTE-
(a) The Administrator shall promulgate and revise as may be
appropriate, regulations designating as hazardous substances, in
addition to those referred to in section 9601(14) of this title,
such elements, compounds, mixtures, solutions, and substances
which, when released into the environment may present substantial
danger to the public health or welfare or the environment, and
shall promulgate regulations establishing that quantity of any
hazardous substance the release of which shall be reported pursuant
to section 9603 of this title. The Administrator may determine that
one single quantity shall be the reportable quantity for any
hazardous substance, regardless of the medium into which the
hazardous substance is released. For all hazardous substances for
which proposed regulations establishing reportable quantities were
published in the Federal Register under this subsection on or
before March 1, 1986, the Administrator shall promulgate under this
subsection final regulations establishing reportable quantities not
later than December 31, 1986. For all hazardous substances for
which proposed regulations establishing reportable quantities were
not published in the Federal Register under this subsection on or
before March 1, 1986, the Administrator shall publish under this
subsection proposed regulations establishing reportable quantities
not later than December 31, 1986, and promulgate final regulations
under this subsection establishing reportable quantities not later
than April 30, 1988."
(b) Unless and until superseded by regulations establishing a
reportable quantity under subsection (a) of this section for any
hazardous substance as defined in section 9601(14) of this title,
(1) a quantity of one pound, or (2) for those hazardous substances
for which reportable quantities have been established pursuant to
section 1321(b)(4) of title 33, such reportable quantity, shall be
deemed that quantity, the release of which requires notification
pursuant to section 9603(a) or (b) of this title.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 96-510, title I, Sec. 102, Dec. 11, 1980, 94 Stat. 2772;
Pub. L. 99-499, title I, Sec. 102, Oct. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 1617.)
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
1986 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99-499 inserted provisions setting
deadlines for promulgation of proposed and final regulations.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 9601, 9603, 11004 of this
title; title 10 section 2692; title 26 section 198; title 33
section 1319.
-End-
-CITE-
42 USC Sec. 9603 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 42 - THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
CHAPTER 103 - COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE, COMPENSATION,
AND LIABILITY
SUBCHAPTER I - HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES RELEASES, LIABILITY,
COMPENSATION
-HEAD-
Sec. 9603. Notification requirements respecting released substances
-STATUTE-
(a) Notice to National Response Center upon release from vessel or
offshore or onshore facility by person in charge; conveyance of
notice by Center
Any person in charge of a vessel or an offshore or an onshore
facility shall, as soon as he has knowledge of any release (other
than a federally permitted release) of a hazardous substance from
such vessel or facility in quantities equal to or greater than
those determined pursuant to section 9602 of this title,
immediately notify the National Response Center established under
the Clean Water Act [33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.] of such release. The
National Response Center shall convey the notification
expeditiously to all appropriate Government agencies, including the
Governor of any affected State.
(b) Penalties for failure to notify; use of notice or information
pursuant to notice in criminal case
Any person -
(1) in charge of a vessel from which a hazardous substance is
released, other than a federally permitted release, into or upon
the navigable waters of the United States, adjoining shorelines,
or into or upon the waters of the contiguous zone, or
(2) in charge of a vessel from which a hazardous substance is
released, other than a federally permitted release, which may
affect natural resources belonging to, appertaining to, or under
the exclusive management authority of the United States
(including resources under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act [16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.]), and
who is otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the United States
at the time of the release, or
(3) in charge of a facility from which a hazardous substance is
released, other than a federally permitted release,
in a quantity equal to or greater than that determined pursuant to
section 9602 of this title who fails to notify immediately the
appropriate agency of the United States Government as soon as he
has knowledge of such release or who submits in such a notification
any information which he knows to be false or misleading shall,
upon conviction, be fined in accordance with the applicable
provisions of title 18 or imprisoned for not more than 3 years (or
not more than 5 years in the case of a second or subsequent
conviction), or both. Notification received pursuant to this
subsection or information obtained by the exploitation of such
notification shall not be used against any such person in any
criminal case, except a prosecution for perjury or for giving a
false statement.
(c) Notice to Administrator of EPA of existence of storage, etc.,
facility by owner or operator; exception; time, manner, and form
of notice; penalties for failure to notify; use of notice or
information pursuant to notice in criminal case
Within one hundred and eighty days after December 11, 1980, any
person who owns or operates or who at the time of disposal owned or
operated, or who accepted hazardous substances for transport and
selected, a facility at which hazardous substances (as defined in
section 9601(14)(C) of this title) are or have been stored,
treated, or disposed of shall, unless such facility has a permit
issued under, or has been accorded interim status under, subtitle C
of the Solid Waste Disposal Act [42 U.S.C. 6921 et seq.], notify
the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency of the
existence of such facility, specifying the amount and type of any
hazardous substance to be found there, and any known, suspected, or
likely releases of such substances from such facility. The
Administrator may prescribe in greater detail the manner and form
of the notice and the information included. The Administrator shall
notify the affected State agency, or any department designated by
the Governor to receive such notice, of the existence of such
facility. Any person who knowingly fails to notify the
Administrator of the existence of any such facility shall, upon
conviction, be fined not more than $10,000, or imprisoned for not
more than one year, or both. In addition, any such person who
knowingly fails to provide the notice required by this subsection
shall not be entitled to any limitation of liability or to any
defenses to liability set out in section 9607 of this title:
Provided, however, That notification under this subsection is not
required for any facility which would be reportable hereunder
solely as a result of any stoppage in transit which is temporary,
incidental to the transportation movement, or at the ordinary
operating convenience of a common or contract carrier, and such
stoppage shall be considered as a continuity of movement and not as
the storage of a hazardous substance. Notification received
pursuant to this subsection or information obtained by the
exploitation of such notification shall not be used against any
such person in any criminal case, except a prosecution for perjury
or for giving a false statement.
(d) Recordkeeping requirements; promulgation of rules and
regulations by Administrator of EPA; penalties for violations;
waiver of retention requirements
(1) The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency is
authorized to promulgate rules and regulations specifying, with
respect to -
(A) the location, title, or condition of a facility, and
(B) the identity, characteristics, quantity, origin, or
condition (including containerization and previous treatment) of
any hazardous substances contained or deposited in a facility;
the records which shall be retained by any person required to
provide the notification of a facility set out in subsection (c) of
this section. Such specification shall be in accordance with the
provisions of this subsection.
(2) Beginning with December 11, 1980, for fifty years thereafter
or for fifty years after the date of establishment of a record
(whichever is later), or at any such earlier time as a waiver if
obtained under paragraph (3) of this subsection, it shall be
unlawful for any such person knowingly to destroy, mutilate, erase,
dispose of, conceal, or otherwise render unavailable or unreadable
or falsify any records identified in paragraph (1) of this
subsection. Any person who violates this paragraph shall, upon
conviction, be fined in accordance with the applicable provisions
of title 18 or imprisoned for not more than 3 years (or not more
than 5 years in the case of a second or subsequent conviction), or
both.
(3) At any time prior to the date which occurs fifty years after
December 11, 1980, any person identified under paragraph (1) of
this subsection may apply to the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency for a waiver of the provisions of the first
sentence of paragraph (2) of this subsection. The Administrator is
authorized to grant such waiver if, in his discretion, such waiver
would not unreasonably interfere with the attainment of the
purposes and provisions of this chapter. The Administrator shall
promulgate rules and regulations regarding such a waiver so as to
inform parties of the proper application procedure and conditions
for approval of such a waiver.
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency may in his
discretion require any such person to retain any record identified
pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection for such a time period
in excess of the period specified in paragraph (2) of this
subsection as the Administrator determines to be necessary to
protect the public health or welfare.
(e) Applicability to registered pesticide product
This section shall not apply to the application of a pesticide
product registered under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act [7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.] or to the handling and
storage of such a pesticide product by an agricultural producer.
(f) Exemptions from notice and penalty provisions for substances
reported under other Federal law or is in continuous release,
etc.
No notification shall be required under subsection (a) or (b) of
this section for any release of a hazardous substance -
(1) which is required to be reported (or specifically exempted
from a requirement for reporting) under subtitle C of the Solid
Waste Disposal Act [42 U.S.C. 6921 et seq.] or regulations
thereunder and which has been reported to the National Response
Center, or
(2) which is a continuous release, stable in quantity and rate,
and is -
(A) from a facility for which notification has been given
under subsection (c) of this section, or
(B) a release of which notification has been given under
subsections (a) and (b) of this section for a period sufficient
to establish the continuity, quantity, and regularity of such
release:
Provided, That notification in accordance with subsections (a)
and (b) of this paragraph shall be given for releases subject to
this paragraph annually, or at such time as there is any
statistically significant increase in the quantity of any
hazardous substance or constituent thereof released, above that
previously reported or occurring.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 96-510, title I, Sec. 103, Dec. 11, 1980, 94 Stat. 2772;
Pub. L. 96-561, title II, Sec. 238(b), Dec. 22, 1980, 94 Stat.
3300; Pub. L. 99-499, title I, Secs. 103, 109(a)(1), (2), Oct. 17,
1986, 100 Stat. 1617, 1632, 1633; Pub. L. 104-208, div. A, title I,
Sec. 101(a) [title II, Sec. 211(b)], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat.
3009, 3009-41.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The Clean Water Act, referred to in subsec. (a), is act June 30,
1948, ch. 758, as amended generally by Pub. L. 92-500, Sec. 2, Oct.
18, 1972, 86 Stat. 816, also known as the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act, which is classified generally to chapter 26 (Sec. 1251
et seq.) of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set
out under section 1251 of Title 33 and Tables.
The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act,
referred to in subsec. (b)(2), is Pub. L. 94-265, Apr. 13, 1976, 90
Stat. 331, as amended, which is classified principally to chapter
38 (Sec. 1801 et seq.) of Title 16, Conservation. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set
out under section 1801 of Title 16 and Tables.
The Solid Waste Disposal Act, referred to in subsecs. (c) and
(f)(1), is title II of Pub. L. 89-272, Oct. 20, 1965, 79 Stat. 997,
as amended generally by Pub. L. 94-580, Sec. 2, Oct. 21, 1976, 90
Stat. 2795. Subtitle C of the Solid Waste Disposal Act is
classified generally to subchapter III (Sec. 6921 et seq.) of
chapter 82 of this title. For complete classification of this Act
to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 6901 of
this title and Tables.
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, referred
to in subsec. (e), is act June 25, 1947, ch. 125, as amended
generally by Pub. L. 92-516, Oct. 21, 1972, 86 Stat. 973, which is
classified generally to subchapter II (Sec. 136 et seq.) of chapter
6 of Title 7, Agriculture. For complete classification of this Act
to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 136 of
Title 7 and Tables.
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
1996 - Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 104-208 substituted
"Magnuson-Stevens Fishery" for "Magnuson Fishery".
1986 - Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99-499, Secs. 103, 109(a), adjusted
left hand margin of text following "federally permitted release,"
third place appearing so that there is no indentation of that text,
inserted "or who submits in such a notification any information
which he knows to be false or misleading", and substituted "in
accordance with the applicable provisions of title 18 or imprisoned
for not more than 3 years (or not more than 5 years in the case of
a second or subsequent conviction), or both" for "not more than
$10,000 or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both" and
"subsection" for "paragraph".
Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 109(a)(2), substituted "in
accordance with the applicable provisions of title 18 or imprisoned
for not more than 3 years (or not more than 5 years in the case of
a second or subsequent conviction), or both" for "not more than
$20,000, or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both" as the
probable intent of Congress, notwithstanding directory language
that the substitution be made for "not more than $20,000, or
imprisoned for not more than one year or both".
1980 - Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 96-561 substituted "Magnuson
Fishery Conservation and Management Act" for "Fishery Conservation
and Management Act of 1976".
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1996 AMENDMENT
Section 101(a) [title II, Sec. 211(b)] of div. A of Pub. L.
104-208 provided that the amendment made by that section is
effective 15 days after Oct. 11, 1996.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1980 AMENDMENT
Section 238(b) of Pub. L. 96-561 provided that the amendment made
by that section is effective 15 days after Dec. 22, 1980.
-EXEC-
CONTIGUOUS ZONE OF UNITED STATES
For extension of contiguous zone of United States, see Proc. No.
7219, set out as a note under section 1331 of Title 43, Public
Lands.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 6937, 6991a, 9602, 9609,
9620, 9626, 11004 of this title.
-End-
-CITE-
42 USC Sec. 9604 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 42 - THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
CHAPTER 103 - COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE, COMPENSATION,
AND LIABILITY
SUBCHAPTER I - HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES RELEASES, LIABILITY,
COMPENSATION
-HEAD-
Sec. 9604. Response authorities
-STATUTE-
(a) Removal and other remedial action by President; applicability
of national contingency plan; response by potentially responsible
parties; public health threats; limitations on response;
exception
(1) Whenever (A) any hazardous substance is released or there is
a substantial threat of such a release into the environment, or (B)
there is a release or substantial threat of release into the
environment of any pollutant or contaminant which may present an
imminent and substantial danger to the public health or welfare,
the President is authorized to act, consistent with the national
contingency plan, to remove or arrange for the removal of, and
provide for remedial action relating to such hazardous substance,
pollutant, or contaminant at any time (including its removal from
any contaminated natural resource), or take any other response
measure consistent with the national contingency plan which the
President deems necessary to protect the public health or welfare
or the environment. When the President determines that such action
will be done properly and promptly by the owner or operator of the
facility or vessel or by any other responsible party, the President
may allow such person to carry out the action, conduct the remedial
investigation, or conduct the feasibility study in accordance with
section 9622 of this title. No remedial investigation or
feasibility study (RI/FS) shall be authorized except on a
determination by the President that the party is qualified to
conduct the RI/FS and only if the President contracts with or
arranges for a qualified person to assist the President in
overseeing and reviewing the conduct of such RI/FS and if the
responsible party agrees to reimburse the Fund for any cost
incurred by the President under, or in connection with, the
oversight contract or arrangement. In no event shall a potentially
responsible party be subject to a lesser standard of liability,
receive preferential treatment, or in any other way, whether direct
or indirect, benefit from any such arrangements as a response
action contractor, or as a person hired or retained by such a
response action contractor, with respect to the release or facility
in question. The President shall give primary attention to those
releases which the President deems may present a public health
threat.
(2) Removal Action. - Any removal action undertaken by the
President under this subsection (or by any other person referred to
in section 9622 of this title) should, to the extent the President
deems practicable, contribute to the efficient performance of any
long term remedial action with respect to the release or threatened
release concerned.
(3) Limitations on Response. - The President shall not provide
for a removal or remedial action under this section in response to
a release or threat of release -
(A) of a naturally occurring substance in its unaltered form,
or altered solely through naturally occurring processes or
phenomena, from a location where it is naturally found;
(B) from products which are part of the structure of, and
result in exposure within, residential buildings or business or
community structures; or
(C) into public or private drinking water supplies due to
deterioration of the system through ordinary use.
(4) Exception to Limitations. - Notwithstanding paragraph (3) of
this subsection, to the extent authorized by this section, the
President may respond to any release or threat of release if in the
President's discretion, it constitutes a public health or
environmental emergency and no other person with the authority and
capability to respond to the emergency will do so in a timely
manner.
(b) Investigations, monitoring, coordination, etc., by President
(1) Information; studies and investigations
Whenever the President is authorized to act pursuant to
subsection (a) of this section, or whenever the President has
reason to believe that a release has occurred or is about to
occur, or that illness, disease, or complaints thereof may be
attributable to exposure to a hazardous substance, pollutant, or
contaminant and that a release may have occurred or be occurring,
he may undertake such investigations, monitoring, surveys,
testing, and other information gathering as he may deem necessary
or appropriate to identify the existence and extent of the
release or threat thereof, the source and nature of the hazardous
substances, pollutants or contaminants involved, and the extent
of danger to the public health or welfare or to the environment.
In addition, the President may undertake such planning, legal,
fiscal, economic, engineering, architectural, and other studies
or investigations as he may deem necessary or appropriate to plan
and direct response actions, to recover the costs thereof, and to
enforce the provisions of this chapter.
(2) Coordination of investigations
The President shall promptly notify the appropriate Federal and
State natural resource trustees of potential damages to natural
resources resulting from releases under investigation pursuant to
this section and shall seek to coordinate the assessments,
investigations, and planning under this section with such Federal
and State trustees.
(c) Criteria for continuance of obligations from Fund over
specified amount for response actions; consultation by President
with affected States; contracts or cooperative agreements by
States with President prior to remedial actions; cost-sharing
agreements; selection by President of remedial actions; State
credits: granting of credit, expenses before listing or
agreement, response actions between 1978 and 1980, State expenses
after December 11, 1980, in excess of 10 percent of costs,
item-by-item approval, use of credits; operation and maintenance;
limitation on source of funds for O&M; recontracting; siting
(1) Unless (A) the President finds that (i) continued response
actions are immediately required to prevent, limit, or mitigate an
emergency, (ii) there is an immediate risk to public health or
welfare or the environment, and (iii) such assistance will not
otherwise be provided on a timely basis, or (B) the President has
determined the appropriate remedial actions pursuant to paragraph
(2) of this subsection and the State or States in which the source
of the release is located have complied with the requirements of
paragraph (3) of this subsection, or (C) continued response action
is otherwise appropriate and consistent with the remedial action to
be taken (!1) obligations from the Fund, other than those
authorized by subsection (b) of this section, shall not continue
after $2,000,000 has been obligated for response actions or 12
months has elapsed from the date of initial response to a release
or threatened release of hazardous substances.
(2) The President shall consult with the affected State or States
before determining any appropriate remedial action to be taken
pursuant to the authority granted under subsection (a) of this
section.
(3) The President shall not provide any remedial actions pursuant
to this section unless the State in which the release occurs first
enters into a contract or cooperative agreement with the President
providing assurances deemed adequate by the President that (A) the
State will assure all future maintenance of the removal and
remedial actions provided for the expected life of such actions as
determined by the President; (B) the State will assure the
availability of a hazardous waste disposal facility acceptable to
the President and in compliance with the requirements of subtitle C
of the Solid Waste Disposal Act [42 U.S.C. 6921 et seq.] for any
necessary offsite storage, destruction, treatment, or secure
disposition of the hazardous substances; and (C) the State will pay
or assure payment of (i) 10 per centum of the costs of the remedial
action, including all future maintenance, or (ii) 50 percent (or
such greater amount as the President may determine appropriate,
taking into account the degree of responsibility of the State or
political subdivision for the release) of any sums expended in
response to a release at a facility, that was operated by the State
or a political subdivision thereof, either directly or through a
contractual relationship or otherwise, at the time of any disposal
of hazardous substances therein. For the purpose of clause (ii) of
this subparagraph, the term "facility" does not include navigable
waters or the beds underlying those waters. In the case of remedial
action to be taken on land or water held by an Indian tribe, held
by the United States in trust for Indians, held by a member of an
Indian tribe (if such land or water is subject to a trust
restriction on alienation), or otherwise within the borders of an
Indian reservation, the requirements of this paragraph for
assurances regarding future maintenance and cost-sharing shall not
apply, and the President shall provide the assurance required by
this paragraph regarding the availability of a hazardous waste
disposal facility.
(4) Selection of Remedial Action. - The President shall select
remedial actions to carry out this section in accordance with
section 9621 of this title (relating to cleanup standards).
(5) State Credits. -
(A) Granting of credit. - The President shall grant a State a
credit against the share of the costs, for which it is
responsible under paragraph (3) with respect to a facility listed
on the National Priorities List under the National Contingency
Plan, for amounts expended by a State for remedial action at such
facility pursuant to a contract or cooperative agreement with the
President. The credit under this paragraph shall be limited to
those State expenses which the President determines to be
reasonable, documented, direct out-of-pocket expenditures of
non-Federal funds.
(B) Expenses before listing or agreement. - The credit under
this paragraph shall include expenses for remedial action at a
facility incurred before the listing of the facility on the
National Priorities List or before a contract or cooperative
agreement is entered into under subsection (d) of this section
for the facility if -
(i) after such expenses are incurred the facility is listed
on such list and a contract or cooperative agreement is entered
into for the facility, and
(ii) the President determines that such expenses would have
been credited to the State under subparagraph (A) had the
expenditures been made after listing of the facility on such
list and after the date on which such contract or cooperative
agreement is entered into.
(C) Response actions between 1978 and 1980. - The credit under
this paragraph shall include funds expended or obligated by the
State or a political subdivision thereof after January 1, 1978,
and before December 11, 1980, for cost-eligible response actions
and claims for damages compensable under section 9611 of this
title.
(D) State expenses after december 11, 1980, in excess of 10
percent of costs. - The credit under this paragraph shall include
90 percent of State expenses incurred at a facility owned, but
not operated, by such State or by a political subdivision
thereof. Such credit applies only to expenses incurred pursuant
to a contract or cooperative agreement under subsection (d) of
this section and only to expenses incurred after December 11,
1980, but before October 17, 1986.
(E) Item-by-item approval. - In the case of expenditures made
after October 17, 1986, the President may require prior approval
of each item of expenditure as a condition of granting a credit
under this paragraph.
(F) Use of credits. - Credits granted under this paragraph for
funds expended with respect to a facility may be used by the
State to reduce all or part of the share of costs otherwise
required to be paid by the State under paragraph (3) in
connection with remedial actions at such facility. If the amount
of funds for which credit is allowed under this paragraph exceeds
such share of costs for such facility, the State may use the
amount of such excess to reduce all or part of the share of such
costs at other facilities in that State. A credit shall not
entitle the State to any direct payment.
(6) Operation and Maintenance. - For the purposes of paragraph
(3) of this subsection, in the case of ground or surface water
contamination, completed remedial action includes the completion of
treatment or other measures, whether taken onsite or offsite,
necessary to restore ground and surface water quality to a level
that assures protection of human health and the environment. With
respect to such measures, the operation of such measures for a
period of up to 10 years after the construction or installation and
commencement of operation shall be considered remedial action.
Activities required to maintain the effectiveness of such measures
following such period or the completion of remedial action,
whichever is earlier, shall be considered operation or maintenance.
(7) Limitation on Source of Funds for O&M. - During any period
after the availability of funds received by the Hazardous Substance
Superfund established under subchapter A of chapter 98 of title 26
from tax revenues or appropriations from general revenues, the
Federal share of the payment of the cost of operation or
maintenance pursuant to paragraph (3)(C)(i) or paragraph (6) of
this subsection (relating to operation and maintenance) shall be
from funds received by the Hazardous Substance Superfund from
amounts recovered on behalf of such fund under this chapter.
(8) Recontracting. - The President is authorized to undertake or
continue whatever interim remedial actions the President determines
to be appropriate to reduce risks to public health or the
environment where the performance of a complete remedial action
requires recontracting because of the discovery of sources, types,
or quantities of hazardous substances not known at the time of
entry into the original contract. The total cost of interim actions
undertaken at a facility pursuant to this paragraph shall not
exceed $2,000,000.
(9) Siting. - Effective 3 years after October 17, 1986, the
President shall not provide any remedial actions pursuant to this
section unless the State in which the release occurs first enters
into a contract or cooperative agreement with the President
providing assurances deemed adequate by the President that the
State will assure the availability of hazardous waste treatment or
disposal facilities which -
(A) have adequate capacity for the destruction, treatment, or
secure disposition of all hazardous wastes that are reasonably
expected to be generated within the State during the 20-year
period following the date of such contract or cooperative
agreement and to be disposed of, treated, or destroyed,
(B) are within the State or outside the State in accordance
with an interstate agreement or regional agreement or authority,
(C) are acceptable to the President, and
(D) are in compliance with the requirements of subtitle C of
the Solid Waste Disposal Act [42 U.S.C. 6921 et seq.].
(d) Contracts or cooperative agreements by President with States or
political subdivisions or Indian tribes; State applications,
terms and conditions; reimbursements; cost-sharing provisions;
enforcement requirements and procedures
(1) Cooperative Agreements. -
(A) State applications. - A State or political subdivision
thereof or Indian tribe may apply to the President to carry out
actions authorized in this section. If the President determines
that the State or political subdivision or Indian tribe has the
capability to carry out any or all of such actions in accordance
with the criteria and priorities established pursuant to section
9605(a)(8) of this title and to carry out related enforcement
actions, the President may enter into a contract or cooperative
agreement with the State or political subdivision or Indian tribe
to carry out such actions. The President shall make a
determination regarding such an application within 90 days after
the President receives the application.
(B) Terms and conditions. - A contract or cooperative agreement
under this paragraph shall be subject to such terms and
conditions as the President may prescribe. The contract or
cooperative agreement may cover a specific facility or specific
facilities.
(C) Reimbursements. - Any State which expended funds during the
period beginning September 30, 1985, and ending on October 17,
1986, for response actions at any site included on the National
Priorities List and subject to a cooperative agreement under this
chapter shall be reimbursed for the share of costs of such
actions for which the Federal Government is responsible under
this chapter.
(2) If the President enters into a cost-sharing agreement
pursuant to subsection (c) of this section or a contract or
cooperative agreement pursuant to this subsection, and the State or
political subdivision thereof fails to comply with any requirements
of the contract, the President may, after providing sixty days
notice, seek in the appropriate Federal district court to enforce
the contract or to recover any funds advanced or any costs incurred
because of the breach of the contract by the State or political
subdivision.
(3) Where a State or a political subdivision thereof is acting in
behalf of the President, the President is authorized to provide
technical and legal assistance in the administration and
enforcement of any contract or subcontract in connection with
response actions assisted under this subchapter, and to intervene
in any civil action involving the enforcement of such contract or
subcontract.
(4) Where two or more noncontiguous facilities are reasonably
related on the basis of geography, or on the basis of the threat,
or potential threat to the public health or welfare or the
environment, the President may, in his discretion, treat these
related facilities as one for purposes of this section.
(e) Information gathering and access
(1) Action authorized
Any officer, employee, or representative of the President, duly
designated by the President, is authorized to take action under
paragraph (2), (3), or (4) (or any combination thereof) at a
vessel, facility, establishment, place, property, or location or,
in the case of paragraph (3) or (4), at any vessel, facility,
establishment, place, property, or location which is adjacent to
the vessel, facility, establishment, place, property, or location
referred to in such paragraph (3) or (4). Any duly designated
officer, employee, or representative of a State or political
subdivision under a contract or cooperative agreement under
subsection (d)(1) of this section is also authorized to take such
action. The authority of paragraphs (3) and (4) may be exercised
only if there is a reasonable basis to believe there may be a
release or threat of release of a hazardous substance or
pollutant or contaminant. The authority of this subsection may be
exercised only for the purposes of determining the need for
response, or choosing or taking any response action under this
subchapter, or otherwise enforcing the provisions of this
subchapter.
(2) Access to information
Any officer, employee, or representative described in paragraph
(1) may require any person who has or may have information
relevant to any of the following to furnish, upon reasonable
notice, information or documents relating to such matter:
(A) The identification, nature, and quantity of materials
which have been or are generated, treated, stored, or disposed
of at a vessel or facility or transported to a vessel or
facility.
(B) The nature or extent of a release or threatened release
of a hazardous substance or pollutant or contaminant at or from
a vessel or facility.
(C) Information relating to the ability of a person to pay
for or to perform a cleanup.
In addition, upon reasonable notice, such person either (i) shall
grant any such officer, employee, or representative access at all
reasonable times to any vessel, facility, establishment, place,
property, or location to inspect and copy all documents or
records relating to such matters or (ii) shall copy and furnish
to the officer, employee, or representative all such documents or
records, at the option and expense of such person.
(3) Entry
Any officer, employee, or representative described in paragraph
(1) is authorized to enter at reasonable times any of the
following:
(A) Any vessel, facility, establishment, or other place or
property where any hazardous substance or pollutant or
contaminant may be or has been generated, stored, treated,
disposed of, or transported from.
(B) Any vessel, facility, establishment, or other place or
property from which or to which a hazardous substance or
pollutant or contaminant has been or may have been released.
(C) Any vessel, facility, establishment, or other place or
property where such release is or may be threatened.
(D) Any vessel, facility, establishment, or other place or
property where entry is needed to determine the need for
response or the appropriate response or to effectuate a
response action under this subchapter.
(4) Inspection and samples
(A) Authority
Any officer, employee or representative described in
paragraph (1) is authorized to inspect and obtain samples from
any vessel, facility, establishment, or other place or property
referred to in paragraph (3) or from any location of any
suspected hazardous substance or pollutant or contaminant. Any
such officer, employee, or representative is authorized to
inspect and obtain samples of any containers or labeling for
suspected hazardous substances or pollutants or contaminants.
Each such inspection shall be completed with reasonable
promptness.
(B) Samples
If the officer, employee, or representative obtains any
samples, before leaving the premises he shall give to the
owner, operator, tenant, or other person in charge of the place
from which the samples were obtained a receipt describing the
sample obtained and, if requested, a portion of each such
sample. A copy of the results of any analysis made of such
samples shall be furnished promptly to the owner, operator,
tenant, or other person in charge, if such person can be
located.
(5) Compliance orders
(A) Issuance
If consent is not granted regarding any request made by an
officer, employee, or representative under paragraph (2), (3),
or (4), the President may issue an order directing compliance
with the request. The order may be issued after such notice and
opportunity for consultation as is reasonably appropriate under
the circumstances.
(B) Compliance
The President may ask the Attorney General to commence a
civil action to compel compliance with a request or order
referred to in subparagraph (A). Where there is a reasonable
basis to believe there may be a release or threat of a release
of a hazardous substance or pollutant or contaminant, the court
shall take the following actions:
(i) In the case of interference with entry or inspection,
the court shall enjoin such interference or direct compliance
with orders to prohibit interference with entry or inspection
unless under the circumstances of the case the demand for
entry or inspection is arbitrary and capricious, an abuse of
discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law.
(ii) In the case of information or document requests or
orders, the court shall enjoin interference with such
information or document requests or orders or direct
compliance with the requests or orders to provide such
information or documents unless under the circumstances of
the case the demand for information or documents is arbitrary
and capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in
accordance with law.
The court may assess a civil penalty not to exceed $25,000 for
each day of noncompliance against any person who unreasonably
fails to comply with the provisions of paragraph (2), (3), or
(4) or an order issued pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this
paragraph.
(6) Other authority
Nothing in this subsection shall preclude the President from
securing access or obtaining information in any other lawful
manner.
(7) Confidentiality of information
(A) Any records, reports, or information obtained from any
person under this section (including records, reports, or
information obtained by representatives of the President) shall
be available to the public, except that upon a showing
satisfactory to the President (or the State, as the case may be)
by any person that records, reports, or information, or
particular part thereof (other than health or safety effects
data), to which the President (or the State, as the case may be)
or any officer, employee, or representative has access under this
section if made public would divulge information entitled to
protection under section 1905 of title 18, such information or
particular portion thereof shall be considered confidential in
accordance with the purposes of that section, except that such
record, report, document or information may be disclosed to other
officers, employees, or authorized representatives of the United
States concerned with carrying out this chapter, or when relevant
in any proceeding under this chapter.
(B) Any person not subject to the provisions of section 1905 of
title 18 who knowingly and willfully divulges or discloses any
information entitled to protection under this subsection shall,
upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not more than $5,000 or
to imprisonment not to exceed one year, or both.
(C) In submitting data under this chapter, a person required to
provide such data may (i) designate the data which such person
believes is entitled to protection under this subsection and (ii)
submit such designated data separately from other data submitted
under this chapter. A designation under this paragraph shall be
made in writing and in such manner as the President may prescribe
by regulation.
(D) Notwithstanding any limitation contained in this section or
any other provision of law, all information reported to or
otherwise obtained by the President (or any representative of the
President) under this chapter shall be made available, upon
written request of any duly authorized committee of the Congress,
to such committee.
(E) No person required to provide information under this
chapter may claim that the information is entitled to protection
under this paragraph unless such person shows each of the
following:
(i) Such person has not disclosed the information to any
other person, other than a member of a local emergency planning
committee established under title III of the Amendments and
Reauthorization Act of 1986 [42 U.S.C. 11001 et seq.], an
officer or employee of the United States or a State or local
government, an employee of such person, or a person who is
bound by a confidentiality agreement, and such person has taken
reasonable measures to protect the confidentiality of such
information and intends to continue to take such measures.
(ii) The information is not required to be disclosed, or
otherwise made available, to the public under any other Federal
or State law.
(iii) Disclosure of the information is likely to cause
substantial harm to the competitive position of such person.
(iv) The specific chemical identity, if sought to be
protected, is not readily discoverable through reverse
engineering.
(F) The following information with respect to any hazardous
substance at the facility or vessel shall not be entitled to
protection under this paragraph:
(i) The trade name, common name, or generic class or category
of the hazardous substance.
(ii) The physical properties of the substance, including its
boiling point, melting point, flash point, specific gravity,
vapor density, solubility in water, and vapor pressure at 20
degrees celsius.
(iii) The hazards to health and the environment posed by the
substance, including physical hazards (such as explosion) and
potential acute and chronic health hazards.
(iv) The potential routes of human exposure to the substance
at the facility, establishment, place, or property being
investigated, entered, or inspected under this subsection.
(v) The location of disposal of any waste stream.
(vi) Any monitoring data or analysis of monitoring data
pertaining to disposal activities.
(vii) Any hydrogeologic or geologic data.
(viii) Any groundwater monitoring data.
(f) Contracts for response actions; compliance with Federal health
and safety standards
In awarding contracts to any person engaged in response actions,
the President or the State, in any case where it is awarding
contracts pursuant to a contract entered into under subsection (d)
of this section, shall require compliance with Federal health and
safety standards established under section 9651(f) of this title by
contractors and subcontractors as a condition of such contracts.
(g) Rates for wages and labor standards applicable to covered work
(1) All laborers and mechanics employed by contractors or
subcontractors in the performance of construction, repair, or
alteration work funded in whole or in part under this section shall
be paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing on projects
of a character similar in the locality as determined by the
Secretary of Labor in accordance with sections 3141-3144, 3146, and
3147 of title 40. The President shall not approve any such funding
without first obtaining adequate assurance that required labor
standards will be maintained upon the construction work.
(2) The Secretary of Labor shall have, with respect to the labor
standards specified in paragraph (1), the authority and functions
set forth in Reorganization Plan Numbered 14 of 1950 (15 F.R. 3176;
64 Stat. 1267) and section 3145 of title 40.
(h) Emergency procurement powers; exercise by President
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, subject to the
provisions of section 9611 of this title, the President may
authorize the use of such emergency procurement powers as he deems
necessary to effect the purpose of this chapter. Upon determination
that such procedures are necessary, the President shall promulgate
regulations prescribing the circumstances under which such
authority shall be used and the procedures governing the use of
such authority.
(i) Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry;
establishment, functions, etc.
(1) There is hereby established within the Public Health Service
an agency, to be known as the Agency for Toxic Substances and
Disease Registry, which shall report directly to the Surgeon
General of the United States. The Administrator of said Agency
shall, with the cooperation of the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency, the Commissioner of the Food and
Drug Administration, the Directors of the National Institute of
Medicine, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences,
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, the Administrator of the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Administrator of
the Social Security Administration, the Secretary of
Transportation, and appropriate State and local health officials,
effectuate and implement the health related authorities of this
chapter. In addition, said Administrator shall -
(A) in cooperation with the States, establish and maintain a
national registry of serious diseases and illnesses and a
national registry of persons exposed to toxic substances;
(B) establish and maintain inventory of literature, research,
and studies on the health effects of toxic substances;
(C) in cooperation with the States, and other agencies of the
Federal Government, establish and maintain a complete listing of
areas closed to the public or otherwise restricted in use because
of toxic substance contamination;
(D) in cases of public health emergencies caused or believed to
be caused by exposure to toxic substances, provide medical care
and testing to exposed individuals, including but not limited to
tissue sampling, chromosomal testing where appropriate,
epidemiological studies, or any other assistance appropriate
under the circumstances; and
(E) either independently or as part of other health status
survey, conduct periodic survey and screening programs to
determine relationships between exposure to toxic substances and
illness. In cases of public health emergencies, exposed persons
shall be eligible for admission to hospitals and other facilities
and services operated or provided by the Public Health Service.
(2)(A) Within 6 months after October 17, 1986, the Administrator
of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and
the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA")
shall prepare a list, in order of priority, of at least 100
hazardous substances which are most commonly found at facilities on
the National Priorities List and which, in their sole discretion,
they determine are posing the most significant potential threat to
human health due to their known or suspected toxicity to humans and
the potential for human exposure to such substances at facilities
on the National Priorities List or at facilities to which a
response to a release or a threatened release under this section is
under consideration.
(B) Within 24 months after October 17, 1986, the Administrator of
ATSDR and the Administrator of EPA shall revise the list prepared
under subparagraph (A). Such revision shall include, in order of
priority, the addition of 100 or more such hazardous substances. In
each of the 3 consecutive 12-month periods that follow, the
Administrator of ATSDR and the Administrator of EPA shall revise,
in the same manner as provided in the 2 preceding sentences, such
list to include not fewer than 25 additional hazardous substances
per revision. The Administrator of ATSDR and the Administrator of
EPA shall not less often than once every year thereafter revise
such list to include additional hazardous substances in accordance
with the criteria in subparagraph (A).
(3) Based on all available information, including information
maintained under paragraph (1)(B) and data developed and collected
on the health effects of hazardous substances under this paragraph,
the Administrator of ATSDR shall prepare toxicological profiles of
each of the substances listed pursuant to paragraph (2). The
toxicological profiles shall be prepared in accordance with
guidelines developed by the Administrator of ATSDR and the
Administrator of EPA. Such profiles shall include, but not be
limited to each of the following:
(A) An examination, summary, and interpretation of available
toxicological information and epidemiologic evaluations on a
hazardous substance in order to ascertain the levels of
significant human exposure for the substance and the associated
acute, subacute, and chronic health effects.
(B) A determination of whether adequate information on the
health effects of each substance is available or in the process
of development to determine levels of exposure which present a
significant risk to human health of acute, subacute, and chronic
health effects.
(C) Where appropriate, an identification of toxicological
testing needed to identify the types or levels of exposure that
may present significant risk of adverse health effects in humans.
Any toxicological profile or revision thereof shall reflect the
Administrator of ATSDR's assessment of all relevant toxicological
testing which has been peer reviewed. The profiles required to be
prepared under this paragraph for those hazardous substances listed
under subparagraph (A) of paragraph (2) shall be completed, at a
rate of no fewer than 25 per year, within 4 years after October 17,
1986. A profile required on a substance listed pursuant to
subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) shall be completed within 3 years
after addition to the list. The profiles prepared under this
paragraph shall be of those substances highest on the list of
priorities under paragraph (2) for which profiles have not
previously been prepared. Profiles required under this paragraph
shall be revised and republished as necessary, but no less often
than once every 3 years. Such profiles shall be provided to the
States and made available to other interested parties.
(4) The Administrator of the ATSDR shall provide consultations
upon request on health issues relating to exposure to hazardous or
toxic substances, on the basis of available information, to the
Administrator of EPA, State officials, and local officials. Such
consultations to individuals may be provided by States under
cooperative agreements established under this chapter.
(5)(A) For each hazardous substance listed pursuant to paragraph
(2), the Administrator of ATSDR (in consultation with the
Administrator of EPA and other agencies and programs of the Public
Health Service) shall assess whether adequate information on the
health effects of such substance is available. For any such
substance for which adequate information is not available (or under
development), the Administrator of ATSDR, in cooperation with the
Director of the National Toxicology Program, shall assure the
initiation of a program of research designed to determine the
health effects (and techniques for development of methods to
determine such health effects) of such substance. Where feasible,
such program shall seek to develop methods to determine the health
effects of such substance in combination with other substances with
which it is commonly found. Before assuring the initiation of such
program, the Administrator of ATSDR shall consider recommendations
of the Interagency Testing Committee established under section 4(e)
of the Toxic Substances Control Act [15 U.S.C. 2603(e)] on the
types of research that should be done. Such program shall include,
to the extent necessary to supplement existing information, but
shall not be limited to -
(i) laboratory and other studies to determine short,
intermediate, and long-term health effects;
(ii) laboratory and other studies to determine organ-specific,
site-specific, and system-specific acute and chronic toxicity;
(iii) laboratory and other studies to determine the manner in
which such substances are metabolized or to otherwise develop an
understanding of the biokinetics of such substances; and
(iv) where there is a possibility of obtaining human data, the
collection of such information.
(B) In assessing the need to perform laboratory and other
studies, as required by subparagraph (A), the Administrator of
ATSDR shall consider -
(i) the availability and quality of existing test data
concerning the substance on the suspected health effect in
question;
(ii) the extent to which testing already in progress will, in a
timely fashion, provide data that will be adequate to support the
preparation of toxicological profiles as required by paragraph
(3); and
(iii) such other scientific and technical factors as the
Administrator of ATSDR may determine are necessary for the
effective implementation of this subsection.
(C) In the development and implementation of any research program
under this paragraph, the Administrator of ATSDR and the
Administrator of EPA shall coordinate such research program
implemented under this paragraph with the National Toxicology
Program and with programs of toxicological testing established
under the Toxic Substances Control Act [15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.] and
the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act [7 U.S.C.
136 et seq.]. The purpose of such coordination shall be to avoid
duplication of effort and to assure that the hazardous substances
listed pursuant to this subsection are tested thoroughly at the
earliest practicable date. Where appropriate, consistent with such
purpose, a research program under this paragraph may be carried out
using such programs of toxicological testing.
(D) It is the sense of the Congress that the costs of research
programs under this paragraph be borne by the manufacturers and
processors of the hazardous substance in question, as required in
programs of toxicological testing under the Toxic Substances
Control Act [15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.]. Within 1 year after October
17, 1986, the Administrator of EPA shall promulgate regulations
which provide, where appropriate, for payment of such costs by
manufacturers and processors under the Toxic Substances Control
Act, and registrants under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act [7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.], and recovery of such costs
from responsible parties under this chapter.
(6)(A) The Administrator of ATSDR shall perform a health
assessment for each facility on the National Priorities List
established under section 9605 of this title. Such health
assessment shall be completed not later than December 10, 1988, for
each facility proposed for inclusion on such list prior to October
17, 1986, or not later than one year after the date of proposal for
inclusion on such list for each facility proposed for inclusion on
such list after October 17, 1986.
(B) The Administrator of ATSDR may perform health assessments for
releases or facilities where individual persons or licensed
physicians provide information that individuals have been exposed
to a hazardous substance, for which the probable source of such
exposure is a release. In addition to other methods (formal or
informal) of providing such information, such individual persons or
licensed physicians may submit a petition to the Administrator of
ATSDR providing such information and requesting a health
assessment. If such a petition is submitted and the Administrator
of ATSDR does not initiate a health assessment, the Administrator
of ATSDR shall provide a written explanation of why a health
assessment is not appropriate.
(C) In determining the priority in which to conduct health
assessments under this subsection, the Administrator of ATSDR, in
consultation with the Administrator of EPA, shall give priority to
those facilities at which there is documented evidence of the
release of hazardous substances, at which the potential risk to
human health appears highest, and for which in the judgment of the
Administrator of ATSDR existing health assessment data are
inadequate to assess the potential risk to human health as provided
in subparagraph (F). In determining the priorities for conducting
health assessments under this subsection, the Administrator of
ATSDR shall consider the National Priorities List schedules and the
needs of the Environmental Protection Agency and other Federal
agencies pursuant to schedules for remedial investigation and
feasibility studies.
(D) Where a health assessment is done at a site on the National
Priorities List, the Administrator of ATSDR shall complete such
assessment promptly and, to the maximum extent practicable, before
the completion of the remedial investigation and feasibility study
at the facility concerned.
(E) Any State or political subdivision carrying out a health
assessment for a facility shall report the results of the
assessment to the Administrator of ATSDR and the Administrator of
EPA and shall include recommendations with respect to further
activities which need to be carried out under this section. The
Administrator of ATSDR shall state such recommendation in any
report on the results of any assessment carried out directly by the
Administrator of ATSDR for such facility and shall issue periodic
reports which include the results of all the assessments carried
out under this subsection.
(F) For the purposes of this subsection and section 9611(c)(4) of
this title, the term "health assessments" shall include preliminary
assessments of the potential risk to human health posed by
individual sites and facilities, based on such factors as the
nature and extent of contamination, the existence of potential
pathways of human exposure (including ground or surface water
contamination, air emissions, and food chain contamination), the
size and potential susceptibility of the community within the
likely pathways of exposure, the comparison of expected human
exposure levels to the short-term and long-term health effects
associated with identified hazardous substances and any available
recommended exposure or tolerance limits for such hazardous
substances, and the comparison of existing morbidity and mortality
data on diseases that may be associated with the observed levels of
exposure. The Administrator of ATSDR shall use appropriate data,
risk assessments, risk evaluations and studies available from the
Administrator of EPA.
(G) The purpose of health assessments under this subsection shall
be to assist in determining whether actions under paragraph (11) of
this subsection should be taken to reduce human exposure to
hazardous substances from a facility and whether additional
information on human exposure and associated health risks is needed
and should be acquired by conducting epidemiological studies under
paragraph (7), establishing a registry under paragraph (8),
establishing a health surveillance program under paragraph (9), or
through other means. In using the results of health assessments for
determining additional actions to be taken under this section, the
Administrator of ATSDR may consider additional information on the
risks to the potentially affected population from all sources of
such hazardous substances including known point or nonpoint sources
other than those from the facility in question.
(H) At the completion of each health assessment, the
Administrator of ATSDR shall provide the Administrator of EPA and
each affected State with the results of such assessment, together
with any recommendations for further actions under this subsection
or otherwise under this chapter. In addition, if the health
assessment indicates that the release or threatened release
concerned may pose a serious threat to human health or the
environment, the Administrator of ATSDR shall so notify the
Administrator of EPA who shall promptly evaluate such release or
threatened release in accordance with the hazard ranking system
referred to in section 9605(a)(8)(A) of this title to determine
whether the site shall be placed on the National Priorities List
or, if the site is already on the list, the Administrator of ATSDR
may recommend to the Administrator of EPA that the site be accorded
a higher priority.
(7)(A) Whenever in the judgment of the Administrator of ATSDR it
is appropriate on the basis of the results of a health assessment,
the Administrator of ATSDR shall conduct a pilot study of health
effects for selected groups of exposed individuals in order to
determine the desirability of conducting full scale epidemiological
or other health studies of the entire exposed population.
(B) Whenever in the judgment of the Administrator of ATSDR it is
appropriate on the basis of the results of such pilot study or
other study or health assessment, the Administrator of ATSDR shall
conduct such full scale epidemiological or other health studies as
may be necessary to determine the health effects on the population
exposed to hazardous substances from a release or threatened
release. If a significant excess of disease in a population is
identified, the letter of transmittal of such study shall include
an assessment of other risk factors, other than a release, that
may, in the judgment of the peer review group, be associated with
such disease, if such risk factors were not taken into account in
the design or conduct of the study.
(8) In any case in which the results of a health assessment
indicate a potential significant risk to human health, the
Administrator of ATSDR shall consider whether the establishment of
a registry of exposed persons would contribute to accomplishing the
purposes of this subsection, taking into account circumstances
bearing on the usefulness of such a registry, including the
seriousness or unique character of identified diseases or the
likelihood of population migration from the affected area.
(9) Where the Administrator of ATSDR has determined that there is
a significant increased risk of adverse health effects in humans
from exposure to hazardous substances based on the results of a
health assessment conducted under paragraph (6), an epidemiologic
study conducted under paragraph (7), or an exposure registry that
has been established under paragraph (8), and the Administrator of
ATSDR has determined that such exposure is the result of a release
from a facility, the Administrator of ATSDR shall initiate a health
surveillance program for such population. This program shall
include but not be limited to -
(A) periodic medical testing where appropriate of population
subgroups to screen for diseases for which the population or
subgroup is at significant increased risk; and
(B) a mechanism to refer for treatment those individuals within
such population who are screened positive for such diseases.
(10) Two years after October 17, 1986, and every 2 years
thereafter, the Administrator of ATSDR shall prepare and submit to
the Administrator of EPA and to the Congress a report on the
results of the activities of ATSDR regarding -
(A) health assessments and pilot health effects studies
conducted;
(B) epidemiologic studies conducted;
(C) hazardous substances which have been listed under paragraph
(2), toxicological profiles which have been developed, and
toxicologic testing which has been conducted or which is being
conducted under this subsection;
(D) registries established under paragraph (8); and
(E) an overall assessment, based on the results of activities
conducted by the Administrator of ATSDR, of the linkage between
human exposure to individual or combinations of hazardous
substances due to releases from facilities covered by this
chapter or the Solid Waste Disposal Act [42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.]
and any increased incidence or prevalence of adverse health
effects in humans.
(11) If a health assessment or other study carried out under this
subsection contains a finding that the exposure concerned presents
a significant risk to human health, the President shall take such
steps as may be necessary to reduce such exposure and eliminate or
substantially mitigate the significant risk to human health. Such
steps may include the use of any authority under this chapter,
including, but not limited to -
(A) provision of alternative water supplies, and
(B) permanent or temporary relocation of individuals.
In any case in which information is insufficient, in the judgment
of the Administrator of ATSDR or the President to determine a
significant human exposure level with respect to a hazardous
substance, the President may take such steps as may be necessary to
reduce the exposure of any person to such hazardous substance to
such level as the President deems necessary to protect human
health.
(12) In any case which is the subject of a petition, a health
assessment or study, or a research program under this subsection,
nothing in this subsection shall be construed to delay or otherwise
affect or impair the authority of the President, the Administrator
of ATSDR, or the Administrator of EPA to exercise any authority
vested in the President, the Administrator of ATSDR or the
Administrator of EPA under any other provision of law (including,
but not limited to, the imminent hazard authority of section 7003
of the Solid Waste Disposal Act [42 U.S.C. 6973]) or the response
and abatement authorities of this chapter.
(13) All studies and results of research conducted under this
subsection (other than health assessments) shall be reported or
adopted only after appropriate peer review. Such peer review shall
be completed, to the maximum extent practicable, within a period of
60 days. In the case of research conducted under the National
Toxicology Program, such peer review may be conducted by the Board
of Scientific Counselors. In the case of other research, such peer
review shall be conducted by panels consisting of no less than
three nor more than seven members, who shall be disinterested
scientific experts selected for such purpose by the Administrator
of ATSDR or the Administrator of EPA, as appropriate, on the basis
of their reputation for scientific objectivity and the lack of
institutional ties with any person involved in the conduct of the
study or research under review. Support services for such panels
shall be provided by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry, or by the Environmental Protection Agency, as
appropriate.
(14) In the implementation of this subsection and other
health-related authorities of this chapter, the Administrator of
ATSDR shall assemble, develop as necessary, and distribute to the
States, and upon request to medical colleges, physicians, and other
health professionals, appropriate educational materials (including
short courses) on the medical surveillance, screening, and methods
of diagnosis and treatment of injury or disease related to exposure
to hazardous substances (giving priority to those listed in
paragraph (2)), through such means as the Administrator of ATSDR
deems appropriate.
(15) The activities of the Administrator of ATSDR described in
this subsection and section 9611(c)(4) of this title shall be
carried out by the Administrator of ATSDR, either directly or
through cooperative agreements with States (or political
subdivisions thereof) which the Administrator of ATSDR determines
are capable of carrying out such activities. Such activities shall
include provision of consultations on health information, the
conduct of health assessments, including those required under
section 3019(b) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act [42 U.S.C.
6939a(b)], health studies, registries, and health surveillance.
(16) The President shall provide adequate personnel for ATSDR,
which shall not be fewer than 100 employees. For purposes of
determining the number of employees under this subsection, an
employee employed by ATSDR on a part-time career employment basis
shall be counted as a fraction which is determined by dividing 40
hours into the average number of hours of such employee's regularly
scheduled workweek.
(17) In accordance with section 9620 of this title (relating to
Federal facilities), the Administrator of ATSDR shall have the same
authorities under this section with respect to facilities owned or
operated by a department, agency, or instrumentality of the United
States as the Administrator of ATSDR has with respect to any
nongovernmental entity.
(18) If the Administrator of ATSDR determines that it is
appropriate for purposes of this section to treat a pollutant or
contaminant as a hazardous substance, such pollutant or contaminant
shall be treated as a hazardous substance for such purpose.
(j) Acquisition of property
(1) Authority
The President is authorized to acquire, by purchase, lease,
condemnation, donation, or otherwise, any real property or any
interest in real property that the President in his discretion
determines is needed to conduct a remedial action under this
chapter. There shall be no cause of action to compel the
President to acquire any interest in real property under this
chapter.
(2) State assurance
The President may use the authority of paragraph (1) for a
remedial action only if, before an interest in real estate is
acquired under this subsection, the State in which the interest
to be acquired is located assures the President, through a
contract or cooperative agreement or otherwise, that the State
will accept transfer of the interest following completion of the
remedial action.
(3) Exemption
No Federal, State, or local government agency shall be liable
under this chapter solely as a result of acquiring an interest in
real estate under this subsection.
(k) Brownfields revitalization funding
(1) Definition of eligible entity
In this subsection, the term "eligible entity" means -
(A) a general purpose unit of local government;
(B) a land clearance authority or other quasi-governmental
entity that operates under the supervision and control of or as
an agent of a general purpose unit of local government;
(C) a government entity created by a State legislature;
(D) a regional council or group of general purpose units of
local government;
(E) a redevelopment agency that is chartered or otherwise
sanctioned by a State;
(F) a State;
(G) an Indian Tribe other than in Alaska; or
(H) an Alaska Native Regional Corporation and an Alaska
Native Village Corporation as those terms are defined in the
Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 and
following) and the Metlakatla Indian community.
(2) Brownfield site characterization and assessment grant program
(A) Establishment of program
The Administrator shall establish a program to -
(i) provide grants to inventory, characterize, assess, and
conduct planning related to brownfield sites under
subparagraph (B); and
(ii) perform targeted site assessments at brownfield sites.
(B) Assistance for site characterization and assessment
(i) In general
On approval of an application made by an eligible entity,
the Administrator may make a grant to the eligible entity to
be used for programs to inventory, characterize, assess, and
conduct planning related to one or more brownfield sites.
(ii) Site characterization and assessment
A site characterization and assessment carried out with the
use of a grant under clause (i) shall be performed in
accordance with section 9601(35)(B) of this title.
(3) Grants and loans for brownfield remediation
(A) Grants provided by the President
Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), the President shall
establish a program to provide grants to -
(i) eligible entities, to be used for capitalization of
revolving loan funds; and
(ii) eligible entities or nonprofit organizations, where
warranted, as determined by the President based on
considerations under subparagraph (C), to be used directly
for remediation of one or more brownfield sites owned by the
entity or organization that receives the grant and in amounts
not to exceed $200,000 for each site to be remediated.
(B) Loans and grants provided by eligible entities
An eligible entity that receives a grant under subparagraph
(A)(i) shall use the grant funds to provide assistance for the
remediation of brownfield sites in the form of -
(i) one or more loans to an eligible entity, a site owner,
a site developer, or another person; or
(ii) one or more grants to an eligible entity or other
nonprofit organization, where warranted, as determined by the
eligible entity that is providing the assistance, based on
considerations under subparagraph (C), to remediate sites
owned by the eligible entity or nonprofit organization that
receives the grant.
(C) Considerations
In determining whether a grant under subparagraph (A)(ii) or
(B)(ii) is warranted, the President or the eligible entity, as
the case may be, shall take into consideration -
(i) the extent to which a grant will facilitate the
creation of, preservation of, or addition to a park, a
greenway, undeveloped property, recreational property, or
other property used for nonprofit purposes;
(ii) the extent to which a grant will meet the needs of a
community that has an inability to draw on other sources of
funding for environmental remediation and subsequent
redevelopment of the area in which a brownfield site is
located because of the small population or low income of the
community;
(iii) the extent to which a grant will facilitate the use
or reuse of existing infrastructure;
(iv) the benefit of promoting the long-term availability of
funds from a revolving loan fund for brownfield remediation;
and
(v) such other similar factors as the Administrator
considers appropriate to consider for the purposes of this
subsection.
(D) Transition
Revolving loan funds that have been established before
January 11, 2002, may be used in accordance with this
paragraph.
(4) General provisions
(A) Maximum grant amount
(i) Brownfield site characterization and assessment
(I) In general
A grant under paragraph (2) may be awarded to an eligible
entity on a community-wide or site-by-site basis, and shall
not exceed, for any individual brownfield site covered by
the grant, $200,000.
(II) Waiver
The Administrator may waive the $200,000 limitation under
subclause (I) to permit the brownfield site to receive a
grant of not to exceed $350,000, based on the anticipated
level of contamination, size, or status of ownership of the
site.
(ii) Brownfield remediation
A grant under paragraph (3)(A)(i) may be awarded to an
eligible entity on a community-wide or site-by-site basis,
not to exceed $1,000,000 per eligible entity. The
Administrator may make an additional grant to an eligible
entity described in the previous sentence for any year after
the year for which the initial grant is made, taking into
consideration -
(I) the number of sites and number of communities that
are addressed by the revolving loan fund;
(II) the demand for funding by eligible entities that
have not previously received a grant under this subsection;
(III) the demonstrated ability of the eligible entity to
use the revolving loan fund to enhance remediation and
provide funds on a continuing basis; and
(IV) such other similar factors as the Administrator
considers appropriate to carry out this subsection.
(B) Prohibition
(i) In general
No part of a grant or loan under this subsection may be
used for the payment of -
(I) a penalty or fine;
(II) a Federal cost-share requirement;
(III) an administrative cost;
(IV) a response cost at a brownfield site for which the
recipient of the grant or loan is potentially liable under
section 9607 of this title; or
(V) a cost of compliance with any Federal law (including
a Federal law specified in section 9601(39)(B) of this
title), excluding the cost of compliance with laws
applicable to the cleanup.
(ii) Exclusions
For the purposes of clause (i)(III), the term
"administrative cost" does not include the cost of -
(I) investigation and identification of the extent of
contamination;
(II) design and performance of a response action; or
(III) monitoring of a natural resource.
(C) Assistance for development of local government site
remediation programs
A local government that receives a grant under this
subsection may use not to exceed 10 percent of the grant funds
to develop and implement a brownfields program that may include
-
(i) monitoring the health of populations exposed to one or
more hazardous substances from a brownfield site; and
(ii) monitoring and enforcement of any institutional
control used to prevent human exposure to any hazardous
substance from a brownfield site.
(D) Insurance
A recipient of a grant or loan awarded under paragraph (2) or
(3) that performs a characterization, assessment, or
remediation of a brownfield site may use a portion of the grant
or loan to purchase insurance for the characterization,
assessment, or remediation of that site.
(5) Grant applications
(A) Submission
(i) In general
(I) Application
An eligible entity may submit to the Administrator,
through a regional office of the Environmental Protection
Agency and in such form as the Administrator may require,
an application for a grant under this subsection for one or
more brownfield sites (including information on the
criteria used by the Administrator to rank applications
under subparagraph (C), to the extent that the information
is available).
(II) NCP requirements
The Administrator may include in any requirement for
submission of an application under subclause (I) a
requirement of the National Contingency Plan only to the
extent that the requirement is relevant and appropriate to
the program under this subsection.
(ii) Coordination
The Administrator shall coordinate with other Federal
agencies to assist in making eligible entities aware of other
available Federal resources.
(iii) Guidance
The Administrator shall publish guidance to assist eligible
entities in applying for grants under this subsection.
(B) Approval
The Administrator shall -
(i) at least annually, complete a review of applications
for grants that are received from eligible entities under
this subsection; and
(ii) award grants under this subsection to eligible
entities that the Administrator determines have the highest
rankings under the ranking criteria established under
subparagraph (C).
(C) Ranking criteria
The Administrator shall establish a system for ranking grant
applications received under this paragraph that includes the
following criteria:
(i) The extent to which a grant will stimulate the
availability of other funds for environmental assessment or
remediation, and subsequent reuse, of an area in which one or
more brownfield sites are located.
(ii) The potential of the proposed project or the
development plan for an area in which one or more brownfield
sites are located to stimulate economic development of the
area on completion of the cleanup.
(iii) The extent to which a grant would address or
facilitate the identification and reduction of threats to
human health and the environment, including threats in areas
in which there is a greater-than-normal incidence of diseases
or conditions (including cancer, asthma, or birth defects)
that may be associated with exposure to hazardous substances,
pollutants, or contaminants.
(iv) The extent to which a grant would facilitate the use
or reuse of existing infrastructure.
(v) The extent to which a grant would facilitate the
creation of, preservation of, or addition to a park, a
greenway, undeveloped property, recreational property, or
other property used for nonprofit purposes.
(vi) The extent to which a grant would meet the needs of a
community that has an inability to draw on other sources of
funding for environmental remediation and subsequent
redevelopment of the area in which a brownfield site is
located because of the small population or low income of the
community.
(vii) The extent to which the applicant is eligible for
funding from other sources.
(viii) The extent to which a grant will further the fair
distribution of funding between urban and nonurban areas.
(ix) The extent to which the grant provides for involvement
of the local community in the process of making decisions
relating to cleanup and future use of a brownfield site.
(x) The extent to which a grant would address or facilitate
the identification and reduction of threats to the health or
welfare of children, pregnant women, minority or low-income
communities, or other sensitive populations.
(6) Implementation of brownfields programs
(A) Establishment of program
The Administrator may provide, or fund eligible entities or
nonprofit organizations to provide, training, research, and
technical assistance to individuals and organizations, as
appropriate, to facilitate the inventory of brownfield sites,
site assessments, remediation of brownfield sites, community
involvement, or site preparation.
(B) Funding restrictions
The total Federal funds to be expended by the Administrator
under this paragraph shall not exceed 15 percent of the total
amount appropriated to carry out this subsection in any fiscal
year.
(7) Audits
(A) In general
The Inspector General of the Environmental Protection Agency
shall conduct such reviews or audits of grants and loans under
this subsection as the Inspector General considers necessary to
carry out this subsection.
(B) Procedure
An audit under this subparagraph shall be conducted in
accordance with the auditing procedures of the General
Accounting Office, including chapter 75 of title 31.
(C) Violations
If the Administrator determines that a person that receives a
grant or loan under this subsection has violated or is in
violation of a condition of the grant, loan, or applicable
Federal law, the Administrator may -
(i) terminate the grant or loan;
(ii) require the person to repay any funds received; and
(iii) seek any other legal remedies available to the
Administrator.
(D) Report to Congress
Not later than 3 years after January 11, 2002, the Inspector
General of the Environmental Protection Agency shall submit to
Congress a report that provides a description of the management
of the program (including a description of the allocation of
funds under this subsection).
(8) Leveraging
An eligible entity that receives a grant under this subsection
may use the grant funds for a portion of a project at a
brownfield site for which funding is received from other sources
if the grant funds are used only for the purposes described in
paragraph (2) or (3).
(9) Agreements
Each grant or loan made under this subsection shall -
(A) include a requirement of the National Contingency Plan
only to the extent that the requirement is relevant and
appropriate to the program under this subsection, as determined
by the Administrator; and
(B) be subject to an agreement that -
(i) requires the recipient to -
(I) comply with all applicable Federal and State laws;
and
(II) ensure that the cleanup protects human health and
the environment;
(ii) requires that the recipient use the grant or loan
exclusively for purposes specified in paragraph (2) or (3),
as applicable;
(iii) in the case of an application by an eligible entity
under paragraph (3)(A), requires the eligible entity to pay a
matching share (which may be in the form of a contribution of
labor, material, or services) of at least 20 percent, from
non-Federal sources of funding, unless the Administrator
determines that the matching share would place an undue
hardship on the eligible entity; and
(iv) contains such other terms and conditions as the
Administrator determines to be necessary to carry out this
subsection.
(10) Facility other than brownfield site
The fact that a facility may not be a brownfield site within
the meaning of section 9601(39)(A) of this title has no effect on
the eligibility of the facility for assistance under any other
provision of Federal law.
(11) Effect on Federal laws
Nothing in this subsection affects any liability or response
authority under any Federal law, including -
(A) this chapter (including the last sentence of section
9601(14) of this title);
(B) the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.);
(C) the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251
et seq.);
(D) the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. 2601 et
seq.); and
(E) the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.).
(12) Funding
(A) Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this
subsection $200,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 through
2006.
(B) Use of certain funds
Of the amount made available under subparagraph (A),
$50,000,000, or, if the amount made available is less than
$200,000,000, 25 percent of the amount made available, shall be
used for site characterization, assessment, and remediation of
facilities described in section 9601(39)(D)(ii)(II) of this
title.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 96-510, title I, Sec. 104, Dec. 11, 1980, 94 Stat. 2774;
Pub. L. 99-499, title I, Secs. 104, 110, title II, Sec. 207(b),
Oct. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 1617, 1636, 1705; Pub. L. 99-514, Sec. 2,
Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095; Pub. L. 102-531, title III, Sec.
312(h), Oct. 27, 1992, 106 Stat. 3506; Pub. L. 107-118, title II,
Sec. 211(b), Jan. 11, 2002, 115 Stat. 2362.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The Solid Waste Disposal Act, referred to in subsecs. (c)(3),
(9)(D), (i)(10)(E), and (k)(11)(B), is title II of Pub. L. 89-272,
Oct. 20, 1965, 79 Stat. 997, as amended generally by Pub. L.
94-580, Sec. 2, Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2795, which is classified
generally to chapter 82 (Sec. 6901 et seq.) of this title. Subtitle
C of the Act is classified generally to subchapter III (Sec. 6921
et seq.) of chapter 82 of this title. For complete classification
of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section
6901 of this title and Tables.
Title III of the Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986,
referred to in subsec. (e)(7)(E)(i), probably means title III of
the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, Pub. L.
99-499, Oct. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 1728, known as the Emergency
Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986, which is
classified generally to chapter 116 (Sec. 11001 et seq.) of this
title. For complete classification of title III to the Code, see
Short Title note set out under section 11001 of this title and
Tables.
Reorganization Plan Numbered 14 of 1950, referred to in subsec.
(g)(2), is set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government
Organization and Employees.
The Toxic Substances Control Act, referred to in subsecs.
(i)(5)(C), (D) and (k)(11)(D), is Pub. L. 94-469, Oct. 11, 1976, 90
Stat. 2003, as amended, which is classified generally to chapter 53
(Sec. 2601 et seq.) of Title 15, Commerce and Trade. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set
out under section 2601 of Title 15 and Tables.
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, referred
to in subsec. (i)(5)(C), (D), is act June 25, 1947, ch. 125, as
amended generally by Pub. L. 92-516, Oct. 21, 1972, 86 Stat. 973,
which is classified generally to subchapter II (Sec. 136 et seq.)
of chapter 6 of Title 7, Agriculture. For complete classification
of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section
136 of Title 7 and Tables.
The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, referred to in subsec.
(k)(1)(H), is Pub. L. 92-203, Dec. 18, 1971, 85 Stat. 688, as
amended, which is classified generally to chapter 33 (Sec. 1601 et
seq.) of Title 43, Public Lands. For complete classification of
this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section
1601 of Title 43 and Tables.
The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, referred to in subsec.
(k)(11)(C), is act June 30, 1948, ch. 758, as amended generally by
Pub. L. 92-500, Sec. 2, Oct. 18, 1972, 86 Stat. 816, which is
classified generally to chapter 26 (Sec. 1251 et seq.) of Title 33,
Navigation and Navigable Waters. For complete classification of
this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section
1251 of Title 33 and Tables.
The Safe Drinking Water Act, referred to in subsec. (k)(11)(E),
is title XIV of act July 1, 1944, as added Dec. 16, 1974, Pub. L.
93-523, Sec. 2(a), 88 Stat. 1660, as amended, which is classified
generally to subchapter XII (Sec. 300f et seq.) of chapter 6A of
this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code,
see Short Title note set out under section 201 of this title and
Tables.
-COD-
CODIFICATION
In subsec. (g)(1), "sections 3141-3144, 3146, and 3147 of title
40" substituted for "the Davis-Bacon Act" and, in subsec. (g)(2),
"section 3145 of title 40" substituted for "section 276c of title
40 of the United States Code", on authority of Pub. L. 107-217,
Sec. 5(c), Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1303, the first section of
which enacted Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works.
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
2002 - Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 107-118 added subsec. (k).
1992 - Subsec. (i)(1). Pub. L. 102-531 substituted "Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention" for "Centers for Disease Control".
1986 - Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 104(a), substituted
provisions authorizing the President to allow owner or operator of
facility or vessel or any other responsible party to carry out
action, conduct the remedial investigation, or conduct feasibility
study under section 9622 of this title, specifying conditions under
which a remedial investigation or feasibility study would be
authorized, providing for treatment of potentially responsible
parties, and requiring President to give primary attention to those
releases which the President deems may present a public health
threat, for ", unless the President determines that such removal
and remedial action will be done properly by the owner or operator
of the vessel or facility from which the release or threat of
release emanates, or by any other responsible party."
Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 104(b), amended par. (2)
generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: "For the
purposes of this section, 'pollutant or contaminant' shall include,
but not be limited to, any element, substance, compound, or
mixture, including disease-causing agents, which after release into
the environment and upon exposure, ingestion, inhalation, or
assimilation into any organism, either directly from the
environment or indirectly by ingestion through food chains, will or
may reasonably be anticipated to cause death, disease, behavioral
abnormalities, cancer, genetic mutation, physiological malfunctions
(including malfunctions in reproduction) or physical deformations,
in such organisms or their offspring. The term does not include
petroleum, including crude oil and any fraction thereof which is
not otherwise specifically listed or designated as hazardous
substances under section 9601(14)(A) through (F) of this title, nor
does it include natural gas, liquefied natural gas, or synthetic
gas of pipeline quality (or mixtures of natural gas and such
synthetic gas)."
Subsec. (a)(3), (4). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 104(c), added pars. (3)
and (4).
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 104(d), designated existing
provisions as par. (1), inserted par. (1) heading, and added par.
(2).
Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 104(e)(1), substituted
"$2,000,000" for "$1,000,000" and "12 months" for "six months".
Subsec. (c)(1)(C). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 104(e)(2), added cl. (C).
Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 99-499, Secs. 104(f), 207(b), substituted
text of cl. (C)(ii) and sentence providing that "facility" does not
include navigable waters or beds underlying those waters for "(ii)
at least 50 per centum or such greater amount as the President may
determine appropriate, taking into account the degree of
responsibility of the State or political subdivision, of any sums
expended in response to a release at a facility that was owned at
the time of any disposal of hazardous substances therein by the
State or a political subdivision thereof. The President shall grant
the State a credit against the share of the costs for which it is
responsible under this paragraph for any documented direct
out-of-pocket non-Federal funds expended or obligated by the State
or a political subdivision thereof after January 1, 1978, and
before December 11, 1980, for cost-eligible response actions and
claims for damages compensable under section 9611 of this title
relating to the specific release in question: Provided, however,
That in no event shall the amount of the credit granted exceed the
total response costs relating to the release." and inserted
provisions relating to remedial action to be taken on land or water
held by an Indian tribe, held by the United States in trust for
Indians, held by a member of an Indian Tribe (if such land or water
is subject to a trust restriction on alienation), or otherwise
within the borders of an Indian reservation.
Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 104(g), amended par. (4)
generally. Prior to amendment, par. (4) read as follows: "The
President shall select appropriate remedial actions determined to
be necessary to carry out this section which are to the extent
practicable in accordance with the national contingency plan and
which provide for that cost-effective response which provides a
balance between the need for protection of public health and
welfare and the environment at the facility under consideration,
and the availability of amounts from the Fund established under
subchapter II of this chapter to respond to other sites which
present or may present a threat to public health or welfare or the
environment, taking into consideration the need for immediate
action."
Subsec. (c)(5). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 104(h), added par. (5).
Subsec. (c)(6). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 104(i), added par. (6).
Subsec. (c)(7). Pub. L. 99-514 substituted "Internal Revenue Code
of 1986" for "Internal Revenue Code of 1954", which for purposes of
codification was translated as "title 26" thus requiring no change
in text.
Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 104(i), added par. (7).
Subsec. (c)(8). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 104(j), added par. (8).
Subsec. (c)(9). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 104(k), added par. (9).
Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 104(l), amended par. (1)
generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: "Where the
President determines that a State or political subdivision thereof
has the capability to carry out any or all of the actions
authorized in this section, the President may, in his discretion,
enter into a contract or cooperative agreement with such State or
political subdivision to take such actions in accordance with
criteria and priorities established pursuant to section 9605(8) of
this title and to be reimbursed for the reasonable response costs
thereof from the Fund. Any contract made hereunder shall be subject
to the cost-sharing provisions of subsection (c) of this section."
Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 104(m), added par. (1), and
struck out former par. (1) which provided for access to, and
copying of, records relating to covered substances, and entry by
officers, employees or representatives of the President or a State
into places where hazardous substances were or had been generated,
stored, treated or disposed of, or transported from, and inspection
and obtaining of samples of such substances and samples of
containers or labeling for such substances.
Subsec. (e)(2) to (6). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 104(m), added pars.
(2) to (6). Former par. (2) redesignated (7).
Subsec. (e)(7). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 104(m), (n), redesignated
par. (2) as (7), aligned margin of par. (7) with pars. (1) through
(6), and added par. heading and subpars. (E) and (F).
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 110, designated existing
provisions as par. (1), redesignated former pars. (1) to (5) as
subpars. (A) to (E), respectively, of par. (1), in introductory
provisions of par. (1), struck out "and" after "Health
Administration," and inserted "the Secretary of Transportation, and
appropriate State and local health officials," in par. (1)(D),
inserted "where appropriate", and added pars. (2) to (18).
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 104(o)(1), added subsec. (j).
TERMINATION OF REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
For termination, effective May 15, 2000, of provisions in subsec.
(i)(10) of this section relating to the requirement that the
Administrator of ATSDR submit a biennial report to Congress, see
section 3003 of Pub. L. 104-66, as amended, set out as a note under
section 1113 of Title 31, Money and Finance, and the 13th item on
page 154 of House Document No. 103-7.
COORDINATION OF TITLES I TO IV OF PUB. L. 99-499
Any provision of titles I to IV of Pub. L. 99-499, imposing any
tax, premium, or fee; establishing any trust fund; or authorizing
expenditures from any trust fund, to have no force or effect, see
section 531 of Pub. L. 99-499, set out as a note under section 1 of
Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 6924, 6939a, 6939b, 6972,
9601, 9607, 9609, 9611, 9613, 9617, 9618, 9619, 9620, 9621, 9622,
9626, 9628, 9660, 9661 of this title; title 10 section 2704; title
26 section 198.
-FOOTNOTE-
(!1) So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
-End-
-CITE-
42 USC Sec. 9605 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 42 - THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
CHAPTER 103 - COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE, COMPENSATION,
AND LIABILITY
SUBCHAPTER I - HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES RELEASES, LIABILITY,
COMPENSATION
-HEAD-
Sec. 9605. National contingency plan
-STATUTE-
(a) Revision and republication
Within one hundred and eighty days after December 11, 1980, the
President shall, after notice and opportunity for public comments,
revise and republish the national contingency plan for the removal
of oil and hazardous substances, originally prepared and published
pursuant to section 1321 of title 33, to reflect and effectuate the
responsibilities and powers created by this chapter, in addition to
those matters specified in section 1321(c)(2) (!1) of title 33.
Such revision shall include a section of the plan to be known as
the national hazardous substance response plan which shall
establish procedures and standards for responding to releases of
hazardous substances, pollutants, and contaminants, which shall
include at a minimum:
(1) methods for discovering and investigating facilities at
which hazardous substances have been disposed of or otherwise
come to be located;
(2) methods for evaluating, including analyses of relative
cost, and remedying any releases or threats of releases from
facilities which pose substantial danger to the public health or
the environment;
(3) methods and criteria for determining the appropriate extent
of removal, remedy, and other measures authorized by this
chapter;
(4) appropriate roles and responsibilities for the Federal,
State, and local governments and for interstate and
nongovernmental entities in effectuating the plan;
(5) provision for identification, procurement, maintenance, and
storage of response equipment and supplies;
(6) a method for and assignment of responsibility for reporting
the existence of such facilities which may be located on
federally owned or controlled properties and any releases of
hazardous substances from such facilities;
(7) means of assuring that remedial action measures are
cost-effective over the period of potential exposure to the
hazardous substances or contaminated materials;
(8)(A) criteria for determining priorities among releases or
threatened releases throughout the United States for the purpose
of taking remedial action and, to the extent practicable taking
into account the potential urgency of such action, for the
purpose of taking removal action. Criteria and priorities under
this paragraph shall be based upon relative risk or danger to
public health or welfare or the environment, in the judgment of
the President, taking into account to the extent possible the
population at risk, the hazard potential of the hazardous
substances at such facilities, the potential for contamination of
drinking water supplies, the potential for direct human contact,
the potential for destruction of sensitive ecosystems, the damage
to natural resources which may affect the human food chain and
which is associated with any release or threatened release, the
contamination or potential contamination of the ambient air which
is associated with the release or threatened release, State
preparedness to assume State costs and responsibilities, and
other appropriate factors;
(B) based upon the criteria set forth in subparagraph (A) of
this paragraph, the President shall list as part of the plan
national priorities among the known releases or threatened
releases throughout the United States and shall revise the list
no less often than annually. Within one year after December 11,
1980, and annually thereafter, each State shall establish and
submit for consideration by the President priorities for remedial
action among known releases and potential releases in that State
based upon the criteria set forth in subparagraph (A) of this
paragraph. In assembling or revising the national list, the
President shall consider any priorities established by the
States. To the extent practicable, the highest priority
facilities shall be designated individually and shall be referred
to as the "top priority among known response targets", and, to
the extent practicable, shall include among the one hundred
highest priority facilities one such facility from each State
which shall be the facility designated by the State as presenting
the greatest danger to public health or welfare or the
environment among the known facilities in such State. A State
shall be allowed to designate its highest priority facility only
once. Other priority facilities or incidents may be listed singly
or grouped for response priority purposes;
(9) specified roles for private organizations and entities in
preparation for response and in responding to releases of
hazardous substances, including identification of appropriate
qualifications and capacity therefor and including consideration
of minority firms in accordance with subsection (f) of this
section; and
(10) standards and testing procedures by which alternative or
innovative treatment technologies can be determined to be
appropriate for utilization in response actions authorized by
this chapter.
The plan shall specify procedures, techniques, materials,
equipment, and methods to be employed in identifying, removing, or
remedying releases of hazardous substances comparable to those
required under section 1321(c)(2)(F) and (G) and (j)(1) of title
33. Following publication of the revised national contingency plan,
the response to and actions to minimize damage from hazardous
substances releases shall, to the greatest extent possible, be in
accordance with the provisions of the plan. The President may, from
time to time, revise and republish the national contingency plan.
(b) Revision of plan
Not later than 18 months after the enactment of the Superfund
Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 [October 17, 1986], the
President shall revise the National Contingency Plan to reflect the
requirements of such amendments. The portion of such Plan known as
"the National Hazardous Substance Response Plan" shall be revised
to provide procedures and standards for remedial actions undertaken
pursuant to this chapter which are consistent with amendments made
by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986
relating to the selection of remedial action.
(c) Hazard ranking system
(1) Revision
Not later than 18 months after October 17, 1986, and after
publication of notice and opportunity for submission of comments
in accordance with section 553 of title 5, the President shall by
rule promulgate amendments to the hazard ranking system in effect
on September 1, 1984. Such amendments shall assure, to the
maximum extent feasible, that the hazard ranking system
accurately assesses the relative degree of risk to human health
and the environment posed by sites and facilities subject to
review. The President shall establish an effective date for the
amended hazard ranking system which is not later than 24 months
after October 17, 1986. Such amended hazard ranking system shall
be applied to any site or facility to be newly listed on the
National Priorities List after the effective date established by
the President. Until such effective date of the regulations, the
hazard ranking system in effect on September 1, 1984, shall
continue in full force and effect.
(2) Health assessment of water contamination risks
In carrying out this subsection, the President shall ensure
that the human health risks associated with the contamination or
potential contamination (either directly or as a result of the
runoff of any hazardous substance or pollutant or contaminant
from sites or facilities) of surface water are appropriately
assessed where such surface water is, or can be, used for
recreation or potable water consumption. In making the assessment
required pursuant to the preceding sentence, the President shall
take into account the potential migration of any hazardous
substance or pollutant or contaminant through such surface water
to downstream sources of drinking water.
(3) Reevaluation not required
The President shall not be required to reevaluate, after
October 17, 1986, the hazard ranking of any facility which was
evaluated in accordance with the criteria under this section
before the effective date of the amendments to the hazard ranking
system under this subsection and which was assigned a national
priority under the National Contingency Plan.
(4) New information
Nothing in paragraph (3) shall preclude the President from
taking new information into account in undertaking response
actions under this chapter.
(d) Petition for assessment of release
Any person who is, or may be, affected by a release or threatened
release of a hazardous substance or pollutant or contaminant, may
petition the President to conduct a preliminary assessment of the
hazards to public health and the environment which are associated
with such release or threatened release. If the President has not
previously conducted a preliminary assessment of such release, the
President shall, within 12 months after the receipt of any such
petition, complete such assessment or provide an explanation of why
the assessment is not appropriate. If the preliminary assessment
indicates that the release or threatened release concerned may pose
a threat to human health or the environment, the President shall
promptly evaluate such release or threatened release in accordance
with the hazard ranking system referred to in paragraph (8)(A) of
subsection (a) of this section to determine the national priority
of such release or threatened release.
(e) Releases from earlier sites
Whenever there has been, after January 1, 1985, a significant
release of hazardous substances or pollutants or contaminants from
a site which is listed by the President as a "Site Cleaned Up To
Date" on the National Priorities List (revised edition, December
1984) the site shall be restored to the National Priorities List,
without application of the hazard ranking system.
(f) Minority contractors
In awarding contracts under this chapter, the President shall
consider the availability of qualified minority firms. The
President shall describe, as part of any annual report submitted to
the Congress under this chapter, the participation of minority
firms in contracts carried out under this chapter. Such report
shall contain a brief description of the contracts which have been
awarded to minority firms under this chapter and of the efforts
made by the President to encourage the participation of such firms
in programs carried out under this chapter.
(g) Special study wastes
(1) Application
This subsection applies to facilities -
(A) which as of October 17, 1986, were not included on, or
proposed for inclusion on, the National Priorities List; and
(B) at which special study wastes described in paragraph (2),
(3)(A)(ii) or (3)(A)(iii) of section 6921(b) of this title are
present in significant quantities, including any such facility
from which there has been a release of a special study waste.
(2) Considerations in adding facilities to NPL
Pending revision of the hazard ranking system under subsection
(c) of this section, the President shall consider each of the
following factors in adding facilities covered by this section to
the National Priorities List:
(A) The extent to which hazard ranking system score for the
facility is affected by the presence of any special study waste
at, or any release from, such facility.
(B) Available information as to the quantity, toxicity, and
concentration of hazardous substances that are constituents of
any special study waste at, or released from such facility, the
extent of or potential for release of such hazardous
constituents, the exposure or potential exposure to human
population and the environment, and the degree of hazard to
human health or the environment posed by the release of such
hazardous constituents at such facility. This subparagraph
refers only to available information on actual concentrations
of hazardous substances and not on the total quantity of
special study waste at such facility.
(3) Savings provisions
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit the
authority of the President to remove any facility which as of
October 17, 1986, is included on the National Priorities List
from such List, or not to list any facility which as of such date
is proposed for inclusion on such list.
(4) Information gathering and analysis
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to preclude the
expenditure of monies from the Fund for gathering and analysis of
information which will enable the President to consider the
specific factors required by paragraph (2).
(h) NPL deferral
(1) Deferral to State voluntary cleanups
At the request of a State and subject to paragraphs (2) and
(3), the President generally shall defer final listing of an
eligible response site on the National Priorities List if the
President determines that -
(A) the State, or another party under an agreement with or
order from the State, is conducting a response action at the
eligible response site -
(i) in compliance with a State program that specifically
governs response actions for the protection of public health
and the environment; and
(ii) that will provide long-term protection of human health
and the environment; or
(B) the State is actively pursuing an agreement to perform a
response action described in subparagraph (A) at the site with
a person that the State has reason to believe is capable of
conducting a response action that meets the requirements of
subparagraph (A).
(2) Progress toward cleanup
If, after the last day of the 1-year period beginning on the
date on which the President proposes to list an eligible response
site on the National Priorities List, the President determines
that the State or other party is not making reasonable progress
toward completing a response action at the eligible response
site, the President may list the eligible response site on the
National Priorities List.
(3) Cleanup agreements
With respect to an eligible response site under paragraph
(1)(B), if, after the last day of the 1-year period beginning on
the date on which the President proposes to list the eligible
response site on the National Priorities List, an agreement
described in paragraph (1)(B) has not been reached, the President
may defer the listing of the eligible response site on the
National Priorities List for an additional period of not to
exceed 180 days if the President determines deferring the listing
would be appropriate based on -
(A) the complexity of the site;
(B) substantial progress made in negotiations; and
(C) other appropriate factors, as determined by the
President.
(4) Exceptions
The President may decline to defer, or elect to discontinue a
deferral of, a listing of an eligible response site on the
National Priorities List if the President determines that -
(A) deferral would not be appropriate because the State, as
an owner or operator or a significant contributor of hazardous
substances to the facility, is a potentially responsible party;
(B) the criteria under the National Contingency Plan for
issuance of a health advisory have been met; or
(C) the conditions in paragraphs (1) through (3), as
applicable, are no longer being met.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 96-510, title I, Sec. 105, Dec. 11, 1980, 94 Stat. 2779;
Pub. L. 99-499, title I, Sec. 105, Oct. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 1625;
Pub. L. 107-118, title II, Sec. 232, Jan. 11, 2002, 115 Stat.
2379.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
Section 1321(c)(2) of title 33, referred to in subsec. (a), was
amended generally by Pub. L. 101-380, title IV, Sec. 4201(a), Aug.
18, 1990, 104 Stat. 523. Prior to general amendment, subsec. (c)(2)
related to preparation of a National Contingency Plan. Provisions
relating to a National Contingency Plan are contained in section
1321(d) of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters.
Such amendments and the amendments made by the Superfund
Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, referred to in subsec.
(b), are the amendments made by Pub. L. 99-499, Oct. 17, 1986, 100
Stat. 1613. For complete classification of this Act to the Code,
see Short Title of 1986 Amendment note set out under section 9601
of this title and Tables.
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
2002 - Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 107-118 added subsec. (h).
1986 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 105(a)(1), designated
existing provisions as subsec. (a) and added heading.
Subsec. (a)(8)(A). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 105(a)(2), inserted "the
damage to natural resources which may affect the human food chain
and which is associated with any release or threatened release, the
contamination or potential contamination of the ambient air which
is associated with the release or threatened release," after
"ecosystems,".
Subsec. (a)(8)(B). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 105(a)(3), struck out "at
least four hundred of" after "To the extent practicable,",
substituted "one hundred highest priority facilities" for "one
hundred highest priority facilities at least", and inserted "A
State shall be allowed to designate its highest priority facility
only once."
Subsec. (a)(9). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 105(a)(4), inserted "and
including consideration of minority firms in accordance with
subsection (f) of this section".
Subsec. (a)(10). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 105(a)(5), added par. (10).
Subsecs. (b) to (g). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 105(b), added subsecs.
(b) to (g).
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 9601, 9604, 9607, 9611,
9616, 9620, 9622, 9626, 9651, 11003 of this title; title 26
sections 198, 468; title 33 section 2701; title 49 sections 5102,
5115.
-FOOTNOTE-
(!1) See References in Text note below.
-End-
-CITE-
42 USC Sec. 9606 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 42 - THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
CHAPTER 103 - COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE, COMPENSATION,
AND LIABILITY
SUBCHAPTER I - HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES RELEASES, LIABILITY,
COMPENSATION
-HEAD-
Sec. 9606. Abatement actions
-STATUTE-
(a) Maintenance, jurisdiction, etc.
In addition to any other action taken by a State or local
government, when the President determines that there may be an
imminent and substantial endangerment to the public health or
welfare or the environment because of an actual or threatened
release of a hazardous substance from a facility, he may require
the Attorney General of the United States to secure such relief as
may be necessary to abate such danger or threat, and the district
court of the United States in the district in which the threat
occurs shall have jurisdiction to grant such relief as the public
interest and the equities of the case may require. The President
may also, after notice to the affected State, take other action
under this section including, but not limited to, issuing such
orders as may be necessary to protect public health and welfare and
the environment.
(b) Fines; reimbursement
(1) Any person who, without sufficient cause, willfully violates,
or fails or refuses to comply with, any order of the President
under subsection (a) of this section may, in an action brought in
the appropriate United States district court to enforce such order,
be fined not more than $25,000 for each day in which such violation
occurs or such failure to comply continues.
(2)(A) Any person who receives and complies with the terms of any
order issued under subsection (a) of this section may, within 60
days after completion of the required action, petition the
President for reimbursement from the Fund for the reasonable costs
of such action, plus interest. Any interest payable under this
paragraph shall accrue on the amounts expended from the date of
expenditure at the same rate as specified for interest on
investments of the Hazardous Substance Superfund established under
subchapter A of chapter 98 of title 26.
(B) If the President refuses to grant all or part of a petition
made under this paragraph, the petitioner may within 30 days of
receipt of such refusal file an action against the President in the
appropriate United States district court seeking reimbursement from
the Fund.
(C) Except as provided in subparagraph (D), to obtain
reimbursement, the petitioner shall establish by a preponderance of
the evidence that it is not liable for response costs under section
9607(a) of this title and that costs for which it seeks
reimbursement are reasonable in light of the action required by the
relevant order.
(D) A petitioner who is liable for response costs under section
9607(a) of this title may also recover its reasonable costs of
response to the extent that it can demonstrate, on the
administrative record, that the President's decision in selecting
the response action ordered was arbitrary and capricious or was
otherwise not in accordance with law. Reimbursement awarded under
this subparagraph shall include all reasonable response costs
incurred by the petitioner pursuant to the portions of the order
found to be arbitrary and capricious or otherwise not in accordance
with law.
(E) Reimbursement awarded by a court under subparagraph (C) or
(D) may include appropriate costs, fees, and other expenses in
accordance with subsections (a) and (d) of section 2412 of title
28.
(c) Guidelines for using imminent hazard, enforcement, and
emergency response authorities; promulgation by Administrator of
EPA, scope, etc.
Within one hundred and eighty days after December 11, 1980, the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall, after
consultation with the Attorney General, establish and publish
guidelines for using the imminent hazard, enforcement, and
emergency response authorities of this section and other existing
statutes administered by the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency to effectuate the responsibilities and powers
created by this chapter. Such guidelines shall to the extent
practicable be consistent with the national hazardous substance
response plan, and shall include, at a minimum, the assignment of
responsibility for coordinating response actions with the issuance
of administrative orders, enforcement of standards and permits, the
gathering of information, and other imminent hazard and emergency
powers authorized by (1) sections 1321(c)(2),(!1) 1318, 1319, and
1364(a) of title 33, (2) sections 6927, 6928, 6934, and 6973 of
this title, (3) sections 300j-4 and 300i of this title, (4)
sections 7413, 7414, and 7603 of this title, and (5) section 2606
of title 15.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 96-510, title I, Sec. 106, Dec. 11, 1980, 94 Stat. 2780;
Pub. L. 99-499, title I, Secs. 106, 109(b), Oct. 17, 1986, 100
Stat. 1628, 1633; Pub. L. 99-514, Sec. 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat.
2095.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (c), was in the original
"this Act", meaning Pub. L. 96-510, Dec. 11, 1980, 94 Stat. 2767,
as amended, known as the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, which enacted this
chapter, section 6911a of this title, and sections 4611, 4612,
4661, 4662, 4681, and 4682 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code,
amended section 6911 of this title, section 1364 of Title 33,
Navigation and Navigable Waters, and section 11901 of Title 49,
Transportation, and enacted provisions set out as notes under
section 6911 of this title and sections 1 and 4611 of Title 26. For
complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title
note set out under section 9601 of this title and Tables.
Section 1321(c)(2) of title 33, referred to in subsec. (c), was
amended generally by Pub. L. 101-380, title IV, Sec. 4201(a), Aug.
18, 1990, 104 Stat. 523. Prior to general amendment, subsec. (c)(2)
related to preparation of a National Contingency Plan. Provisions
relating to a National Contingency Plan are contained in section
1321(d) of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters.
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
1986 - Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99-499 designated existing provisions
as par. (1), substituted "who, without sufficient cause, willfully"
for "who willfully" and "$25,000" for "$5,000", and added par. (2).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A). Pub. L. 99-514 substituted "Internal Revenue
Code of 1986" for "Internal Revenue Code of 1954", which for
purposes of codification was translated as "title 26" thus
requiring no change in text.
COORDINATION OF TITLES I TO IV OF PUB. L. 99-499
Any provision of titles I to IV of Pub. L. 99-499, imposing any
tax, premium, or fee; establishing any trust fund; or authorizing
expenditures from any trust fund, to have no force or effect, see
section 531 of Pub. L. 99-499, set out as a note under section 1 of
Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 6924, 6939b, 6972, 7412,
9607, 9613, 9614, 9617, 9618, 9619, 9620, 9621, 9622, 9624, 9628 of
this title; title 26 section 4662.
-FOOTNOTE-
(!1) See References in Text note below.
-End-
-CITE-
42 USC Sec. 9607 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 42 - THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
CHAPTER 103 - COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE, COMPENSATION,
AND LIABILITY
SUBCHAPTER I - HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES RELEASES, LIABILITY,
COMPENSATION
-HEAD-
Sec. 9607. Liability
-STATUTE-
(a) Covered persons; scope; recoverable costs and damages; interest
rate; "comparable maturity" date
Notwithstanding any other provision or rule of law, and subject
only to the defenses set forth in subsection (b) of this section -
(1) the owner and operator of a vessel or a facility,
(2) any person who at the time of disposal of any hazardous
substance owned or operated any facility at which such hazardous
substances were disposed of,
(3) any person who by contract, agreement, or otherwise
arranged for disposal or treatment, or arranged with a
transporter for transport for disposal or treatment, of hazardous
substances owned or possessed by such person, by any other party
or entity, at any facility or incineration vessel owned or
operated by another party or entity and containing such hazardous
substances, and
(4) any person who accepts or accepted any hazardous substances
for transport to disposal or treatment facilities, incineration
vessels or sites selected by such person, from which there is a
release, or a threatened release which causes the incurrence of
response costs, of a hazardous substance, shall be liable for -
(A) all costs of removal or remedial action incurred by the
United States Government or a State or an Indian tribe not
inconsistent with the national contingency plan;
(B) any other necessary costs of response incurred by any
other person consistent with the national contingency plan;
(C) damages for injury to, destruction of, or loss of natural
resources, including the reasonable costs of assessing such
injury, destruction, or loss resulting from such a release; and
(D) the costs of any health assessment or health effects
study carried out under section 9604(i) of this title.
The amounts recoverable in an action under this section shall
include interest on the amounts recoverable under subparagraphs (A)
through (D). Such interest shall accrue from the later of (i) the
date payment of a specified amount is demanded in writing, or (ii)
the date of the expenditure concerned. The rate of interest on the
outstanding unpaid balance of the amounts recoverable under this
section shall be the same rate as is specified for interest on
investments of the Hazardous Substance Superfund established under
subchapter A of chapter 98 of title 26. For purposes of applying
such amendments to interest under this subsection, the term
"comparable maturity" shall be determined with reference to the
date on which interest accruing under this subsection commences.
(b) Defenses
There shall be no liability under subsection (a) of this section
for a person otherwise liable who can establish by a preponderance
of the evidence that the release or threat of release of a
hazardous substance and the damages resulting therefrom were caused
solely by -
(1) an act of God;
(2) an act of war;
(3) an act or omission of a third party other than an employee
or agent of the defendant, or than one whose act or omission
occurs in connection with a contractual relationship, existing
directly or indirectly, with the defendant (except where the sole
contractual arrangement arises from a published tariff and
acceptance for carriage by a common carrier by rail), if the
defendant establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that (a)
he exercised due care with respect to the hazardous substance
concerned, taking into consideration the characteristics of such
hazardous substance, in light of all relevant facts and
circumstances, and (b) he took precautions against foreseeable
acts or omissions of any such third party and the consequences
that could foreseeably result from such acts or omissions; or
(4) any combination of the foregoing paragraphs.
(c) Determination of amounts
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the
liability under this section of an owner or operator or other
responsible person for each release of a hazardous substance or
incident involving release of a hazardous substance shall not
exceed -
(A) for any vessel, other than an incineration vessel, which
carries any hazardous substance as cargo or residue, $300 per
gross ton, or $5,000,000, whichever is greater;
(B) for any other vessel, other than an incineration vessel,
$300 per gross ton, or $500,000, whichever is greater;
(C) for any motor vehicle, aircraft, hazardous liquid pipeline
facility (as defined in section 60101(a) of title 49), or rolling
stock, $50,000,000 or such lesser amount as the President shall
establish by regulation, but in no event less than $5,000,000
(or, for releases of hazardous substances as defined in section
9601(14)(A) of this title into the navigable waters, $8,000,000).
Such regulations shall take into account the size, type,
location, storage, and handling capacity and other matters
relating to the likelihood of release in each such class and to
the economic impact of such limits on each such class; or
(D) for any incineration vessel or any facility other than
those specified in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph, the total
of all costs of response plus $50,000,000 for any damages under
this subchapter.
(2) Notwithstanding the limitations in paragraph (1) of this
subsection, the liability of an owner or operator or other
responsible person under this section shall be the full and total
costs of response and damages, if (A)(i) the release or threat of
release of a hazardous substance was the result of willful
misconduct or willful negligence within the privity or knowledge of
such person, or (ii) the primary cause of the release was a
violation (within the privity or knowledge of such person) of
applicable safety, construction, or operating standards or
regulations; or (B) such person fails or refuses to provide all
reasonable cooperation and assistance requested by a responsible
public official in connection with response activities under the
national contingency plan with respect to regulated carriers
subject to the provisions of title 49 or vessels subject to the
provisions of title 33, 46, or 46 Appendix, subparagraph (A)(ii) of
this paragraph shall be deemed to refer to Federal standards or
regulations.
(3) If any person who is liable for a release or threat of
release of a hazardous substance fails without sufficient cause to
properly provide removal or remedial action upon order of the
President pursuant to section 9604 or 9606 of this title, such
person may be liable to the United States for punitive damages in
an amount at least equal to, and not more than three times, the
amount of any costs incurred by the Fund as a result of such
failure to take proper action. The President is authorized to
commence a civil action against any such person to recover the
punitive damages, which shall be in addition to any costs recovered
from such person pursuant to section 9612(c) of this title. Any
moneys received by the United States pursuant to this subsection
shall be deposited in the Fund.
(d) Rendering care or advice
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), no person shall be liable
under this subchapter for costs or damages as a result of actions
taken or omitted in the course of rendering care, assistance, or
advice in accordance with the National Contingency Plan ("NCP")
or at the direction of an onscene coordinator appointed under
such plan, with respect to an incident creating a danger to
public health or welfare or the environment as a result of any
releases of a hazardous substance or the threat thereof. This
paragraph shall not preclude liability for costs or damages as
the result of negligence on the part of such person.
(2) State and local governments
No State or local government shall be liable under this
subchapter for costs or damages as a result of actions taken in
response to an emergency created by the release or threatened
release of a hazardous substance generated by or from a facility
owned by another person. This paragraph shall not preclude
liability for costs or damages as a result of gross negligence or
intentional misconduct by the State or local government. For the
purpose of the preceding sentence, reckless, willful, or wanton
misconduct shall constitute gross negligence.
(3) Savings provision
This subsection shall not alter the liability of any person
covered by the provisions of paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4) of
subsection (a) of this section with respect to the release or
threatened release concerned.
(e) Indemnification, hold harmless, etc., agreements or
conveyances; subrogation rights
(1) No indemnification, hold harmless, or similar agreement or
conveyance shall be effective to transfer from the owner or
operator of any vessel or facility or from any person who may be
liable for a release or threat of release under this section, to
any other person the liability imposed under this section. Nothing
in this subsection shall bar any agreement to insure, hold
harmless, or indemnify a party to such agreement for any liability
under this section.
(2) Nothing in this subchapter, including the provisions of
paragraph (1) of this subsection, shall bar a cause of action that
an owner or operator or any other person subject to liability under
this section, or a guarantor, has or would have, by reason of
subrogation or otherwise against any person.
(f) Natural resources liability; designation of public trustees of
natural resources
(1) Natural resources liability
In the case of an injury to, destruction of, or loss of natural
resources under subparagraph (C) of subsection (a) of this
section liability shall be to the United States Government and to
any State for natural resources within the State or belonging to,
managed by, controlled by, or appertaining to such State and to
any Indian tribe for natural resources belonging to, managed by,
controlled by, or appertaining to such tribe, or held in trust
for the benefit of such tribe, or belonging to a member of such
tribe if such resources are subject to a trust restriction on
alienation: Provided, however, That no liability to the United
States or State or Indian tribe shall be imposed under
subparagraph (C) of subsection (a) of this section, where the
party sought to be charged has demonstrated that the damages to
natural resources complained of were specifically identified as
an irreversible and irretrievable commitment of natural resources
in an environmental impact statement, or other comparable
environment analysis, and the decision to grant a permit or
license authorizes such commitment of natural resources, and the
facility or project was otherwise operating within the terms of
its permit or license, so long as, in the case of damages to an
Indian tribe occurring pursuant to a Federal permit or license,
the issuance of that permit or license was not inconsistent with
the fiduciary duty of the United States with respect to such
Indian tribe. The President, or the authorized representative of
any State, shall act on behalf of the public as trustee of such
natural resources to recover for such damages. Sums recovered by
the United States Government as trustee under this subsection
shall be retained by the trustee, without further appropriation,
for use only to restore, replace, or acquire the equivalent of
such natural resources. Sums recovered by a State as trustee
under this subsection shall be available for use only to restore,
replace, or acquire the equivalent of such natural resources by
the State. The measure of damages in any action under
subparagraph (C) of subsection (a) of this section shall not be
limited by the sums which can be used to restore or replace such
resources. There shall be no double recovery under this chapter
for natural resource damages, including the costs of damage
assessment or restoration, rehabilitation, or acquisition for the
same release and natural resource. There shall be no recovery
under the authority of subparagraph (C) of subsection (a) of this
section where such damages and the release of a hazardous
substance from which such damages resulted have occurred wholly
before December 11, 1980.
(2) Designation of Federal and State officials
(A) Federal
The President shall designate in the National Contingency
Plan published under section 9605 of this title the Federal
officials who shall act on behalf of the public as trustees for
natural resources under this chapter and section 1321 of title
33. Such officials shall assess damages for injury to,
destruction of, or loss of natural resources for purposes of
this chapter and such section 1321 of title 33 for those
resources under their trusteeship and may, upon request of and
reimbursement from a State and at the Federal officials'
discretion, assess damages for those natural resources under
the State's trusteeship.
(B) State
The Governor of each State shall designate State officials
who may act on behalf of the public as trustees for natural
resources under this chapter and section 1321 of title 33 and
shall notify the President of such designations. Such State
officials shall assess damages to natural resources for the
purposes of this chapter and such section 1321 of title 33 for
those natural resources under their trusteeship.
(C) Rebuttable presumption
Any determination or assessment of damages to natural
resources for the purposes of this chapter and section 1321 of
title 33 made by a Federal or State trustee in accordance with
the regulations promulgated under section 9651(c) of this title
shall have the force and effect of a rebuttable presumption on
behalf of the trustee in any administrative or judicial
proceeding under this chapter or section 1321 of title 33.
(g) Federal agencies
For provisions relating to Federal agencies, see section 9620 of
this title.
(h) Owner or operator of vessel
The owner or operator of a vessel shall be liable in accordance
with this section, under maritime tort law, and as provided under
section 9614 of this title notwithstanding any provision of the Act
of March 3, 1851 (46 U.S.C. 183ff) [46 App. U.S.C. 182, 183,
184-188] or the absence of any physical damage to the proprietary
interest of the claimant.
(i) Application of a registered pesticide product
No person (including the United States or any State or Indian
tribe) may recover under the authority of this section for any
response costs or damages resulting from the application of a
pesticide product registered under the Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act [7 U.S.C. 136 et seq.]. Nothing in
this paragraph shall affect or modify in any way the obligations or
liability of any person under any other provision of State or
Federal law, including common law, for damages, injury, or loss
resulting from a release of any hazardous substance or for removal
or remedial action or the costs of removal or remedial action of
such hazardous substance.
(j) Obligations or liability pursuant to federally permitted
release
Recovery by any person (including the United States or any State
or Indian tribe) for response costs or damages resulting from a
federally permitted release shall be pursuant to existing law in
lieu of this section. Nothing in this paragraph shall affect or
modify in any way the obligations or liability of any person under
any other provision of State or Federal law, including common law,
for damages, injury, or loss resulting from a release of any
hazardous substance or for removal or remedial action or the costs
of removal or remedial action of such hazardous substance. In
addition, costs of response incurred by the Federal Government in
connection with a discharge specified in section 9601(10)(B) or (C)
of this title shall be recoverable in an action brought under
section 1319(b) of title 33.
(k) Transfer to, and assumption by, Post-Closure Liability Fund of
liability of owner or operator of hazardous waste disposal
facility in receipt of permit under applicable solid waste
disposal law; time, criteria applicable, procedures, etc.;
monitoring costs; reports
(1) The liability established by this section or any other law
for the owner or operator of a hazardous waste disposal facility
which has received a permit under subtitle C of the Solid Waste
Disposal Act [42 U.S.C. 6921 et seq.], shall be transferred to and
assumed by the Post-closure Liability Fund established by section
9641 (!1) of this title when -
(A) such facility and the owner and operator thereof has
complied with the requirements of subtitle C of the Solid Waste
Disposal Act [42 U.S.C. 6921 et seq.] and regulations issued
thereunder, which may affect the performance of such facility
after closure; and
(B) such facility has been closed in accordance with such
regulations and the conditions of such permit, and such facility
and the surrounding area have been monitored as required by such
regulations and permit conditions for a period not to exceed five
years after closure to demonstrate that there is no substantial
likelihood that any migration offsite or release from confinement
of any hazardous substance or other risk to public health or
welfare will occur.
(2) Such transfer of liability shall be effective ninety days
after the owner or operator of such facility notifies the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (and the State
where it has an authorized program under section 3006(b) of the
Solid Waste Disposal Act [42 U.S.C. 6926(b)]) that the conditions
imposed by this subsection have been satisfied. If within such
ninety-day period the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency or such State determines that any such facility has not
complied with all the conditions imposed by this subsection or that
insufficient information has been provided to demonstrate such
compliance, the Administrator or such State shall so notify the
owner and operator of such facility and the administrator of the
Fund established by section 9641 (!1) of this title, and the owner
and operator of such facility shall continue to be liable with
respect to such facility under this section and other law until
such time as the Administrator and such State determines that such
facility has complied with all conditions imposed by this
subsection. A determination by the Administrator or such State that
a facility has not complied with all conditions imposed by this
subsection or that insufficient information has been supplied to
demonstrate compliance, shall be a final administrative action for
purposes of judicial review. A request for additional information
shall state in specific terms the data required.
(3) In addition to the assumption of liability of owners and
operators under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Post-closure
Liability Fund established by section 9641 (!1) of this title may
be used to pay costs of monitoring and care and maintenance of a
site incurred by other persons after the period of monitoring
required by regulations under subtitle C of the Solid Waste
Disposal Act [42 U.S.C. 6921 et seq.] for hazardous waste disposal
facilities meeting the conditions of paragraph (1) of this
subsection.
(4)(A) Not later than one year after December 11, 1980, the
Secretary of the Treasury shall conduct a study and shall submit a
report thereon to the Congress on the feasibility of establishing
or qualifying an optional system of private insurance for
postclosure financial responsibility for hazardous waste disposal
facilities to which this subsection applies. Such study shall
include a specification of adequate and realistic minimum standards
to assure that any such privately placed insurance will carry out
the purposes of this subsection in a reliable, enforceable, and
practical manner. Such a study shall include an examination of the
public and private incentives, programs, and actions necessary to
make privately placed insurance a practical and effective option to
the financing system for the Post-closure Liability Fund provided
in subchapter II (!1) of this chapter.
(B) Not later than eighteen months after December 11, 1980, and
after a public hearing, the President shall by rule determine
whether or not it is feasible to establish or qualify an optional
system of private insurance for postclosure financial
responsibility for hazardous waste disposal facilities to which
this subsection applies. If the President determines the
establishment or qualification of such a system would be
infeasible, he shall promptly publish an explanation of the reasons
for such a determination. If the President determines the
establishment or qualification of such a system would be feasible,
he shall promptly publish notice of such determination. Not later
than six months after an affirmative determination under the
preceding sentence and after a public hearing, the President shall
by rule promulgate adequate and realistic minimum standards which
must be met by any such privately placed insurance, taking into
account the purposes of this chapter and this subsection. Such
rules shall also specify reasonably expeditious procedures by which
privately placed insurance plans can qualify as meeting such
minimum standards.
(C) In the event any privately placed insurance plan qualifies
under subparagraph (B), any person enrolled in, and complying with
the terms of, such plan shall be excluded from the provisions of
paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of this subsection and exempt from the
requirements to pay any tax or fee to the Post-closure Liability
Fund under subchapter II (!1) of this chapter.
(D) The President may issue such rules and take such other
actions as are necessary to effectuate the purposes of this
paragraph.
(5) Suspension of liability transfer. - Notwithstanding
paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) of this subsection and subsection
(j) of section 9611 of this title, no liability shall be
transferred to or assumed by the Post-Closure Liability Trust Fund
established by section 9641 (!1) of this title prior to completion
of the study required under paragraph (6) of this subsection,
transmission of a report of such study to both Houses of Congress,
and authorization of such a transfer or assumption by Act of
Congress following receipt of such study and report.
(6) Study of options for post-closure program. -
(A) Study. - The Comptroller General shall conduct a study of
options for a program for the management of the liabilities
associated with hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal
sites after their closure which complements the policies set
forth in the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984 and
assures the protection of human health and the environment.
(B) Program elements. - The program referred to in subparagraph
(A) shall be designed to assure each of the following:
(i) Incentives are created and maintained for the safe
management and disposal of hazardous wastes so as to assure
protection of human health and the environment.
(ii) Members of the public will have reasonable confidence
that hazardous wastes will be managed and disposed of safely
and that resources will be available to address any problems
that may arise and to cover costs of long-term monitoring,
care, and maintenance of such sites.
(iii) Persons who are or seek to become owners and operators
of hazardous waste disposal facilities will be able to manage
their potential future liabilities and to attract the
investment capital necessary to build, operate, and close such
facilities in a manner which assures protection of human health
and the environment.
(C) Assessments. - The study under this paragraph shall include
assessments of treatment, storage, and disposal facilities which
have been or are likely to be issued a permit under section 3005
of the Solid Waste Disposal Act [42 U.S.C. 6925] and the
likelihood of future insolvency on the part of owners and
operators of such facilities. Separate assessments shall be made
for different classes of facilities and for different classes of
land disposal facilities and shall include but not be limited to
-
(i) the current and future financial capabilities of facility
owners and operators;
(ii) the current and future costs associated with facilities,
including the costs of routine monitoring and maintenance,
compliance monitoring, corrective action, natural resource
damages, and liability for damages to third parties; and
(iii) the availability of mechanisms by which owners and
operators of such facilities can assure that current and future
costs, including post-closure costs, will be financed.
(D) Procedures. - In carrying out the responsibilities of this
paragraph, the Comptroller General shall consult with the
Administrator, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of the
Treasury, and the heads of other appropriate Federal agencies.
(E) Consideration of options. - In conducting the study under
this paragraph, the Comptroller General shall consider various
mechanisms and combinations of mechanisms to complement the
policies set forth in the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of
1984 to serve the purposes set forth in subparagraph (B) and to
assure that the current and future costs associated with
hazardous waste facilities, including post-closure costs, will be
adequately financed and, to the greatest extent possible, borne
by the owners and operators of such facilities. Mechanisms to be
considered include, but are not limited to -
(i) revisions to closure, post-closure, and financial
responsibility requirements under subtitles C and I of the
Solid Waste Disposal Act [42 U.S.C. 6921 et seq., 6991 et
seq.];
(ii) voluntary risk pooling by owners and operators;
(iii) legislation to require risk pooling by owners and
operators;
(iv) modification of the Post-Closure Liability Trust Fund
previously established by section 9641 (!2) of this title, and
the conditions for transfer of liability under this subsection,
including limiting the transfer of some or all liability under
this subsection only in the case of insolvency of owners and
operators;
(v) private insurance;
(vi) insurance provided by the Federal Government;
(vii) coinsurance, reinsurance, or pooled-risk insurance,
whether provided by the private sector or provided or assisted
by the Federal Government; and
(viii) creation of a new program to be administered by a new
or existing Federal agency or by a federally chartered
corporation.
(F) Recommendations. - The Comptroller General shall consider
options for funding any program under this section and shall, to
the extent necessary, make recommendations to the appropriate
committees of Congress for additional authority to implement such
program.
(l) Federal lien
(1) In general
All costs and damages for which a person is liable to the
United States under subsection (a) of this section (other than
the owner or operator of a vessel under paragraph (1) of
subsection (a) of this section) shall constitute a lien in favor
of the United States upon all real property and rights to such
property which -
(A) belong to such person; and
(B) are subject to or affected by a removal or remedial
action.
(2) Duration
The lien imposed by this subsection shall arise at the later of
the following:
(A) The time costs are first incurred by the United States
with respect to a response action under this chapter.
(B) The time that the person referred to in paragraph (1) is
provided (by certified or registered mail) written notice of
potential liability.
Such lien shall continue until the liability for the costs (or a
judgment against the person arising out of such liability) is
satisfied or becomes unenforceable through operation of the
statute of limitations provided in section 9613 of this title.
(3) Notice and validity
The lien imposed by this subsection shall be subject to the
rights of any purchaser, holder of a security interest, or
judgment lien creditor whose interest is perfected under
applicable State law before notice of the lien has been filed in
the appropriate office within the State (or county or other
governmental subdivision), as designated by State law, in which
the real property subject to the lien is located. Any such
purchaser, holder of a security interest, or judgment lien
creditor shall be afforded the same protections against the lien
imposed by this subsection as are afforded under State law
against a judgment lien which arises out of an unsecured
obligation and which arises as of the time of the filing of the
notice of the lien imposed by this subsection. If the State has
not by law designated one office for the receipt of such notices
of liens, the notice shall be filed in the office of the clerk of
the United States district court for the district in which the
real property is located. For purposes of this subsection, the
terms "purchaser" and "security interest" shall have the
definitions provided under section 6323(h) of title 26.
(4) Action in rem
The costs constituting the lien may be recovered in an action
in rem in the United States district court for the district in
which the removal or remedial action is occurring or has
occurred. Nothing in this subsection shall affect the right of
the United States to bring an action against any person to
recover all costs and damages for which such person is liable
under subsection (a) of this section.
(m) Maritime lien
All costs and damages for which the owner or operator of a vessel
is liable under subsection (a)(1) of this section with respect to a
release or threatened release from such vessel shall constitute a
maritime lien in favor of the United States on such vessel. Such
costs may be recovered in an action in rem in the district court of
the United States for the district in which the vessel may be
found. Nothing in this subsection shall affect the right of the
United States to bring an action against the owner or operator of
such vessel in any court of competent jurisdiction to recover such
costs.
(n) Liability of fiduciaries
(1) In general
The liability of a fiduciary under any provision of this
chapter for the release or threatened release of a hazardous
substance at, from, or in connection with a vessel or facility
held in a fiduciary capacity shall not exceed the assets held in
the fiduciary capacity.
(2) Exclusion
Paragraph (1) does not apply to the extent that a person is
liable under this chapter independently of the person's ownership
of a vessel or facility as a fiduciary or actions taken in a
fiduciary capacity.
(3) Limitation
Paragraphs (1) and (4) do not limit the liability pertaining to
a release or threatened release of a hazardous substance if
negligence of a fiduciary causes or contributes to the release or
threatened release.
(4) Safe harbor
A fiduciary shall not be liable in its personal capacity under
this chapter for -
(A) undertaking or directing another person to undertake a
response action under subsection (d)(1) of this section or
under the direction of an on scene coordinator designated under
the National Contingency Plan;
(B) undertaking or directing another person to undertake any
other lawful means of addressing a hazardous substance in
connection with the vessel or facility;
(C) terminating the fiduciary relationship;
(D) including in the terms of the fiduciary agreement a
covenant, warranty, or other term or condition that relates to
compliance with an environmental law, or monitoring, modifying
or enforcing the term or condition;
(E) monitoring or undertaking 1 or more inspections of the
vessel or facility;
(F) providing financial or other advice or counseling to
other parties to the fiduciary relationship, including the
settlor or beneficiary;
(G) restructuring, renegotiating, or otherwise altering the
terms and conditions of the fiduciary relationship;
(H) administering, as a fiduciary, a vessel or facility that
was contaminated before the fiduciary relationship began; or
(I) declining to take any of the actions described in
subparagraphs (B) through (H).
(5) Definitions
As used in this chapter:
(A) Fiduciary
The term "fiduciary" -
(i) means a person acting for the benefit of another party
as a bona fide -
(I) trustee;
(II) executor;
(III) administrator;
(IV) custodian;
(V) guardian of estates or guardian ad litem;
(VI) receiver;
(VII) conservator;
(VIII) committee of estates of incapacitated persons;
(IX) personal representative;
(X) trustee (including a successor to a trustee) under an
indenture agreement, trust agreement, lease, or similar
financing agreement, for debt securities, certificates of
interest or certificates of participation in debt
securities, or other forms of indebtedness as to which the
trustee is not, in the capacity of trustee, the lender; or
(XI) representative in any other capacity that the
Administrator, after providing public notice, determines to
be similar to the capacities described in subclauses (I)
through (X); and
(ii) does not include -
(I) a person that is acting as a fiduciary with respect
to a trust or other fiduciary estate that was organized for
the primary purpose of, or is engaged in, actively carrying
on a trade or business for profit, unless the trust or
other fiduciary estate was created as part of, or to
facilitate, 1 or more estate plans or because of the
incapacity of a natural person; or
(II) a person that acquires ownership or control of a
vessel or facility with the objective purpose of avoiding
liability of the person or of any other person.
(B) Fiduciary capacity
The term "fiduciary capacity" means the capacity of a person
in holding title to a vessel or facility, or otherwise having
control of or an interest in the vessel or facility, pursuant
to the exercise of the responsibilities of the person as a
fiduciary.
(6) Savings clause
Nothing in this subsection -
(A) affects the rights or immunities or other defenses that
are available under this chapter or other law that is
applicable to a person subject to this subsection; or
(B) creates any liability for a person or a private right of
action against a fiduciary or any other person.
(7) No effect on certain persons
Nothing in this subsection applies to a person if the person -
(A)(i) acts in a capacity other than that of a fiduciary or
in a beneficiary capacity; and
(ii) in that capacity, directly or indirectly benefits from a
trust or fiduciary relationship; or
(B)(i) is a beneficiary and a fiduciary with respect to the
same fiduciary estate; and
(ii) as a fiduciary, receives benefits that exceed customary
or reasonable compensation, and incidental benefits, permitted
under other applicable law.
(8) Limitation
This subsection does not preclude a claim under this chapter
against -
(A) the assets of the estate or trust administered by the
fiduciary; or
(B) a nonemployee agent or independent contractor retained by
a fiduciary.
(o) De micromis exemption
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), a person shall not be
liable, with respect to response costs at a facility on the
National Priorities List, under this chapter if liability is
based solely on paragraph (3) or (4) of subsection (a) of this
section, and the person, except as provided in paragraph (4) of
this subsection, can demonstrate that -
(A) the total amount of the material containing hazardous
substances that the person arranged for disposal or treatment
of, arranged with a transporter for transport for disposal or
treatment of, or accepted for transport for disposal or
treatment, at the facility was less than 110 gallons of liquid
materials or less than 200 pounds of solid materials (or such
greater or lesser amounts as the Administrator may determine by
regulation); and
(B) all or part of the disposal, treatment, or transport
concerned occurred before April 1, 2001.
(2) Exceptions
Paragraph (1) shall not apply in a case in which -
(A) the President determines that -
(i) the materials containing hazardous substances referred
to in paragraph (1) have contributed significantly or could
contribute significantly, either individually or in the
aggregate, to the cost of the response action or natural
resource restoration with respect to the facility; or
(ii) the person has failed to comply with an information
request or administrative subpoena issued by the President
under this chapter or has impeded or is impeding, through
action or inaction, the performance of a response action or
natural resource restoration with respect to the facility; or
(B) a person has been convicted of a criminal violation for
the conduct to which the exemption would apply, and that
conviction has not been vitiated on appeal or otherwise.
(3) No judicial review
A determination by the President under paragraph (2)(A) shall
not be subject to judicial review.
(4) Nongovernmental third-party contribution actions
In the case of a contribution action, with respect to response
costs at a facility on the National Priorities List, brought by a
party, other than a Federal, State, or local government, under
this chapter, the burden of proof shall be on the party bringing
the action to demonstrate that the conditions described in
paragraph (1)(A) and (B) of this subsection are not met.
(p) Municipal solid waste exemption
(1) In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a
person shall not be liable, with respect to response costs at a
facility on the National Priorities List, under paragraph (3) of
subsection (a) of this section for municipal solid waste disposed
of at a facility if the person, except as provided in paragraph
(5) of this subsection, can demonstrate that the person is -
(A) an owner, operator, or lessee of residential property
from which all of the person's municipal solid waste was
generated with respect to the facility;
(B) a business entity (including a parent, subsidiary, or
affiliate of the entity) that, during its 3 taxable years
preceding the date of transmittal of written notification from
the President of its potential liability under this section,
employed on average not more than 100 full-time individuals, or
the equivalent thereof, and that is a small business concern
(within the meaning of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et
seq.)) from which was generated all of the municipal solid
waste attributable to the entity with respect to the facility;
or
(C) an organization described in section 501(c)(3) of title
26 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such title that,
during its taxable year preceding the date of transmittal of
written notification from the President of its potential
liability under this section, employed not more than 100 paid
individuals at the location from which was generated all of the
municipal solid waste attributable to the organization with
respect to the facility.
For purposes of this subsection, the term "affiliate" has the
meaning of that term provided in the definition of "small
business concern" in regulations promulgated by the Small
Business Administration in accordance with the Small Business Act
(15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.).
(2) Exception
Paragraph (1) shall not apply in a case in which the President
determines that -
(A) the municipal solid waste referred to in paragraph (1)
has contributed significantly or could contribute
significantly, either individually or in the aggregate, to the
cost of the response action or natural resource restoration
with respect to the facility;
(B) the person has failed to comply with an information
request or administrative subpoena issued by the President
under this chapter; or
(C) the person has impeded or is impeding, through action or
inaction, the performance of a response action or natural
resource restoration with respect to the facility.
(3) No judicial review
A determination by the President under paragraph (2) shall not
be subject to judicial review.
(4) Definition of municipal solid waste
(A) In general
For purposes of this subsection, the term "municipal solid
waste" means waste material -
(i) generated by a household (including a single or
multifamily residence); and
(ii) generated by a commercial, industrial, or
institutional entity, to the extent that the waste material -
(I) is essentially the same as waste normally generated
by a household;
(II) is collected and disposed of with other municipal
solid waste as part of normal municipal solid waste
collection services; and
(III) contains a relative quantity of hazardous
substances no greater than the relative quantity of
hazardous substances contained in waste material generated
by a typical single-family household.
(B) Examples
Examples of municipal solid waste under subparagraph (A)
include food and yard waste, paper, clothing, appliances,
consumer product packaging, disposable diapers, office
supplies, cosmetics, glass and metal food containers,
elementary or secondary school science laboratory waste, and
household hazardous waste.
(C) Exclusions
The term "municipal solid waste" does not include -
(i) combustion ash generated by resource recovery
facilities or municipal incinerators; or
(ii) waste material from manufacturing or processing
operations (including pollution control operations) that is
not essentially the same as waste normally generated by
households.
(5) Burden of proof
In the case of an action, with respect to response costs at a
facility on the National Priorities List, brought under this
section or section 9613 of this title by -
(A) a party, other than a Federal, State, or local
government, with respect to municipal solid waste disposed of
on or after April 1, 2001; or
(B) any party with respect to municipal solid waste disposed
of before April 1, 2001, the burden of proof shall be on the
party bringing the action to demonstrate that the conditions
described in paragraphs (1) and (4) for exemption for entities
and organizations described in paragraph (1)(B) and (C) are not
met.
(6) Certain actions not permitted
No contribution action may be brought by a party, other than a
Federal, State, or local government, under this chapter with
respect to circumstances described in paragraph (1)(A).
(7) Costs and fees
A nongovernmental entity that commences, after January 11,
2002, a contribution action under this chapter shall be liable to
the defendant for all reasonable costs of defending the action,
including all reasonable attorney's fees and expert witness fees,
if the defendant is not liable for contribution based on an
exemption under this subsection or subsection (o) of this
section.
(q) Contiguous properties
(1) Not considered to be an owner or operator
(A) In general
A person that owns real property that is contiguous to or
otherwise similarly situated with respect to, and that is or
may be contaminated by a release or threatened release of a
hazardous substance from, real property that is not owned by
that person shall not be considered to be an owner or operator
of a vessel or facility under paragraph (1) or (2) of
subsection (a) of this section solely by reason of the
contamination if -
(i) the person did not cause, contribute, or consent to the
release or threatened release;
(ii) the person is not -
(I) potentially liable, or affiliated with any other
person that is potentially liable, for response costs at a
facility through any direct or indirect familial
relationship or any contractual, corporate, or financial
relationship (other than a contractual, corporate, or
financial relationship that is created by a contract for
the sale of goods or services); or
(II) the result of a reorganization of a business entity
that was potentially liable;
(iii) the person takes reasonable steps to -
(I) stop any continuing release;
(II) prevent any threatened future release; and
(III) prevent or limit human, environmental, or natural
resource exposure to any hazardous substance released on or
from property owned by that person;
(iv) the person provides full cooperation, assistance, and
access to persons that are authorized to conduct response
actions or natural resource restoration at the vessel or
facility from which there has been a release or threatened
release (including the cooperation and access necessary for
the installation, integrity, operation, and maintenance of
any complete or partial response action or natural resource
restoration at the vessel or facility);
(v) the person -
(I) is in compliance with any land use restrictions
established or relied on in connection with the response
action at the facility; and
(II) does not impede the effectiveness or integrity of
any institutional control employed in connection with a
response action;
(vi) the person is in compliance with any request for
information or administrative subpoena issued by the
President under this chapter;
(vii) the person provides all legally required notices with
respect to the discovery or release of any hazardous
substances at the facility; and
(viii) at the time at which the person acquired the
property, the person -
(I) conducted all appropriate inquiry within the meaning
of section 9601(35)(B) of this title with respect to the
property; and
(II) did not know or have reason to know that the
property was or could be contaminated by a release or
threatened release of one or more hazardous substances from
other real property not owned or operated by the person.
(B) Demonstration
To qualify as a person described in subparagraph (A), a
person must establish by a preponderance of the evidence that
the conditions in clauses (i) through (viii) of subparagraph
(A) have been met.
(C) Bona fide prospective purchaser
Any person that does not qualify as a person described in
this paragraph because the person had, or had reason to have,
knowledge specified in subparagraph (A)(viii) at the time of
acquisition of the real property may qualify as a bona fide
prospective purchaser under section 9601(40) of this title if
the person is otherwise described in that section.
(D) Ground water
With respect to a hazardous substance from one or more
sources that are not on the property of a person that is a
contiguous property owner that enters ground water beneath the
property of the person solely as a result of subsurface
migration in an aquifer, subparagraph (A)(iii) shall not
require the person to conduct ground water investigations or to
install ground water remediation systems, except in accordance
with the policy of the Environmental Protection Agency
concerning owners of property containing contaminated aquifers,
dated May 24, 1995.
(2) Effect of law
With respect to a person described in this subsection, nothing
in this subsection -
(A) limits any defense to liability that may be available to
the person under any other provision of law; or
(B) imposes liability on the person that is not otherwise
imposed by subsection (a) of this section.
(3) Assurances
The Administrator may -
(A) issue an assurance that no enforcement action under this
chapter will be initiated against a person described in
paragraph (1); and
(B) grant a person described in paragraph (1) protection
against a cost recovery or contribution action under section
9613(f) of this title.
(r) Prospective purchaser and windfall lien
(1) Limitation on liability
Notwithstanding subsection (a)(1) of this section, a bona fide
prospective purchaser whose potential liability for a release or
threatened release is based solely on the purchaser's being
considered to be an owner or operator of a facility shall not be
liable as long as the bona fide prospective purchaser does not
impede the performance of a response action or natural resource
restoration.
(2) Lien
If there are unrecovered response costs incurred by the United
States at a facility for which an owner of the facility is not
liable by reason of paragraph (1), and if each of the conditions
described in paragraph (3) is met, the United States shall have a
lien on the facility, or may by agreement with the owner, obtain
from the owner a lien on any other property or other assurance of
payment satisfactory to the Administrator, for the unrecovered
response costs.
(3) Conditions
The conditions referred to in paragraph (2) are the following:
(A) Response action
A response action for which there are unrecovered costs of
the United States is carried out at the facility.
(B) Fair market value
The response action increases the fair market value of the
facility above the fair market value of the facility that
existed before the response action was initiated.
(4) Amount; duration
A lien under paragraph (2) -
(A) shall be in an amount not to exceed the increase in fair
market value of the property attributable to the response
action at the time of a sale or other disposition of the
property;
(B) shall arise at the time at which costs are first incurred
by the United States with respect to a response action at the
facility;
(C) shall be subject to the requirements of subsection (l)(3)
of this section; and
(D) shall continue until the earlier of -
(i) satisfaction of the lien by sale or other means; or
(ii) notwithstanding any statute of limitations under
section 9613 of this title, recovery of all response costs
incurred at the facility.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 96-510, title I, Sec. 107, Dec. 11, 1980, 94 Stat. 2781;
Pub. L. 99-499, title I, Secs. 107(a)-(d)(2), (e), (f), 127(b),
(e), title II, Secs. 201, 207(c), Oct. 17, 1986, 100 Stat.
1628-1630, 1692, 1693, 1705; Pub. L. 99-514, Sec. 2, Oct. 22, 1986,
100 Stat. 2095; Pub. L. 103-429, Sec. 7(e)(2), Oct. 31, 1994, 108
Stat. 4390; Pub. L. 104-208, div. A, title II, Sec. 2502(a), Sept.
30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009-462; Pub. L. 104-287, Sec. 6(j)(2), Oct.
11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3400; Pub. L. 107-118, title I, Sec. 102(a),
title II, Secs. 221, 222(b), Jan. 11, 2002, 115 Stat. 2356, 2368,
2371.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
Such amendments, referred to in the last sentence of subsec. (a),
probably means the amendments made by Pub. L. 99-499, Oct. 17,
1986, 100 Stat. 1613, known as the "Superfund Amendments and
Reauthorization Act of 1986". For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1986 Amendment note set out
under section 9601 of this title and Tables.
Act of March 3, 1851 (46 U.S.C. 183ff), referred to in subsec.
(h), is act Mar. 3, 1851, ch. 43, 9 Stat. 635, which was
incorporated into the Revised Statutes as R.S. Secs. 4282 to 4287
and 4289, and is classified to sections 182, 183, and 184 to 188 of
Title 46, Appendix, Shipping.
The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, referred
to in subsec. (i), is act June 25, 1947, ch. 125, as amended
generally by Pub. L. 92-516, Oct. 21, 1972, 86 Stat. 973, which is
classified generally to subchapter II (Sec. 136 et seq.) of chapter
6 of Title 7, Agriculture. For complete classification of this Act
to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 136 of
Title 7 and Tables.
The Solid Waste Disposal Act, referred to in subsec. (k)(1), (3),
(6)(E)(i), is title II of Pub. L. 89-272, Oct. 20, 1965, 79 Stat.
997, as amended generally by Pub. L. 94-580, Sec. 2, Oct. 21, 1976,
90 Stat. 2795. Subtitles C and I of the Solid Waste Disposal Act
are classified generally to subchapters III (Sec. 6921 et seq.) and
IX (Sec. 6991 et seq.), respectively, of chapter 82 of this title.
For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short
Title note set out under section 6901 of this title and Tables.
Section 9641 of this title, referred to in subsec. (k), was
repealed by Pub. L. 99-499, title V, Sec. 514(b), Oct. 17, 1986,
100 Stat. 1767.
Subchapter II of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (k)(4)(A)
and (C), was in the original "title II of this Act", meaning title
II of Pub. L. 96-510, Dec. 11, 1980, 94 Stat. 2796, known as the
Hazardous Substance Response Revenue Act of 1980, which enacted
subchapter II of this chapter and sections 4611, 4612, 4661, 4662,
4681, and 4682 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code. Sections 221 to
223 and 232 of Pub. L. 96-510, which were classified to sections
9631 to 9633 and 9641 of this title, comprising subchapter II of
this chapter, were repealed by Pub. L. 99-499, title V, Secs.
514(b), 517(c)(1), Oct. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 1767, 1774. For
complete classification of title II to the Code, see Short Title of
1980 Amendment note set out under section 1 of Title 26 and Tables.
The Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984, referred to in
subsec. (k)(6)(A), (E), is Pub. L. 98-616, Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat.
3221. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title of 1984 Amendment note set out under section 6901 of
this title and Tables.
The Small Business Act, referred to in subsec. (p)(1), is Pub. L.
85-536, July 18, 1958, 72 Stat. 384, as amended, which is
classified generally to chapter 14A (Sec. 631 et seq.) of Title 15,
Commerce and Trade. For complete classification of this Act to the
Code, see Short Title note set out under section 631 of Title 15
and Tables.
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
2002 - Subsecs. (o), (p). Pub. L. 107-118, Sec. 102(a), added
subsecs. (o) and (p).
Subsec. (q). Pub. L. 107-118, Sec. 221, added subsec. (q).
Subsec. (r). Pub. L. 107-118, Sec. 222(b), added subsec. (r).
1996 - Subsec. (c)(1)(C). Pub. L. 104-287 substituted "section
60101(a) of title 49" for "the Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Act
of 1979".
Subsec. (n). Pub. L. 104-208 added subsec. (n).
1994 - Subsec. (c)(1)(C). Pub. L. 103-429 substituted "hazardous
liquid pipeline facility" for "pipeline".
1986 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99-514, in penultimate sentence,
substituted "Internal Revenue Code of 1986" for "Internal Revenue
Code of 1954", which for purposes of codification was translated as
"title 26" thus requiring no change in text.
Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 107(b), inserted concluding provisions
relating to accrual and rate of interest on amounts recoverable
under this section.
Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 107(a), struck out
"(otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the United States)"
after "vessel".
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 127(b)(1), inserted "or
incineration vessel" after "facility".
Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 99-499, Secs. 107(b), 127(b)(2),
207(c)(1), in introductory provisions, inserted ", incineration
vessels" after "vessels", in subpar. (A), inserted "or an Indian
tribe" after "State", and added subpar. (D).
Subsec. (c)(1)(A). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 127(b)(3), inserted ",
other than an incineration vessel," after "vessel".
Subsec. (c)(1)(B). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 127(b)(4), inserted
"other than an incineration vessel," after "other vessel,".
Subsec. (c)(1)(D). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 127(b)(5), inserted "any
incineration vessel or" before "any facility".
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 107(c), amended subsec. (d)
generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (d) read as follows: "No
person shall be liable under this subchapter for damages as a
result of actions taken or omitted in the course of rendering care,
assistance, or advice in accordance with the national contingency
plan or at the direction of an onscene coordinator appointed under
such plan, with respect to an incident creating a danger to public
health or welfare or the environment as a result of any release of
a hazardous substance or the threat thereof. This subsection shall
not preclude liability for damages as the result of gross
negligence or intentional misconduct on the part of such person.
For the purposes of the preceding sentence, reckless, willful, or
wanton misconduct shall constitute gross negligence."
Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 107(d)(1), designated
existing provisions as par. (1) and added heading.
Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 207(c)(2)(A), inserted "and to any Indian
tribe for natural resources belonging to, managed by, controlled
by, or appertaining to such tribe, or held in trust for the benefit
of such tribe, or belonging to a member of such tribe if such
resources are subject to a trust restriction on alienation" after
third reference to "State".
Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 207(c)(2)(B), inserted "or Indian tribe"
after fourth reference to "State".
Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 207(c)(2)(C), inserted in first sentence ",
so long as, in the case of damages to an Indian tribe occurring
pursuant to a Federal permit or license, the issuance of that
permit or license was not inconsistent with the fiduciary duty of
the United States with respect to such Indian tribe".
Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 107(d)(2), substituted "Sums recovered by
the United States Government as trustee under this subsection shall
be retained by the trustee, without further appropriation, for use
only to restore, replace, or acquire the equivalent of such natural
resources. Sums recovered by a State as trustee under this
subsection shall be available for use only to restore, replace, or
acquire the equivalent of such natural resources by the State. The
measure of damages in any action under subparagraph (C) of
subsection (a) of this section shall not be limited by the sums
which can be used to restore or replace such resources. There shall
be no double recovery under this chapter for natural resource
damages, including the costs of damage assessment or restoration,
rehabilitation, or acquisition for the same release and natural
resource" for "Sums recovered shall be available for use to
restore, rehabilitate, or acquire the equivalent of such natural
resources by the appropriate agencies of the Federal Government or
the State government, but the measure of such damages shall not be
limited by the sums which can be used to restore or replace such
resources".
Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 207(c)(2)(D), which directed the insertion
of "or the Indian tribe" after "State government", could not be
executed because the prior amendment by section 107(d)(2) of Pub.
L. 99-499, struck out third sentence referring to "State
government".
Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 107(d)(1), added par. (2).
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 107(e), amended subsec. (g)
generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (g) read as follows: "Each
department, agency, or instrumentality of the executive,
legislative, and judicial branches of the Federal Government shall
be subject to, and comply with, this chapter in the same manner and
to the same extent, both procedurally and substantively, as any
nongovernmental entity, including liability under this section."
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 127(e), inserted ", under
maritime tort law," after "with this section" and inserted "or the
absence of any physical damage to the proprietary interest of the
claimant" before the period at end.
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 207(c)(3), inserted "or Indian
tribe" after "State".
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 207(c)(4), inserted "or Indian
tribe" after first reference to "State".
Subsec. (k)(5), (6). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 201, added pars. (5)
and (6).
Subsec. (l), Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 107(f), added subsec. (l).
Subsec. (l)(3). Pub. L. 99-514 substituted "Internal Revenue Code
of 1986" for "Internal Revenue Code of 1954", which for purposes of
codification was translated as "title 26" thus requiring no change
in text.
Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 107(f), added subsec. (m).
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1996 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 104-208 applicable with respect to any claim
that has not been finally adjudicated as of Sept. 30, 1996, see
section 2505 of Pub. L. 104-208, set out as a note under section
6991b of this title.
EFFECT ON CONCLUDED ACTIONS
Pub. L. 107-118, title I, Sec. 103, Jan. 11, 2002, 115 Stat.
2360, provided that: "The amendments made by this title [amending
this section and section 9622 of this title] shall not apply to or
in any way affect any settlement lodged in, or judgment issued by,
a United States District Court, or any administrative settlement or
order entered into or issued by the United States or any State,
before the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 11, 2002]."
RECOVERY OF COSTS
Pub. L. 104-303, title II, Sec. 209, Oct. 12, 1996, 110 Stat.
3681, provided that: "Amounts recovered under section 107 of the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability
Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9607) for any response action taken by the
Secretary in support of the civil works program of the Department
of the Army and any other amounts recovered by the Secretary from a
contractor, insurer, surety, or other person to reimburse the
Department of the Army for any expenditure for environmental
response activities in support of the Army civil works program
shall be credited to the appropriate trust fund account from which
the cost of such response action has been paid or will be charged."
COORDINATION OF TITLES I TO IV OF PUB. L. 99-499
Any provision of titles I to IV of Pub. L. 99-499, imposing any
tax, premium, or fee; establishing any trust fund; or authorizing
expenditures from any trust fund, to have no force or effect, see
section 531 of Pub. L. 99-499, set out as a note under section 1 of
Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 6924, 6939a, 6991b,
6991c, 9601, 9603, 9604, 9606, 9608, 9611, 9612, 9613, 9614, 9619,
9620, 9622, 9624, 9627, 9628, 9651, 9656, 9658 of this title; title
14 section 692; title 16 sections 1437, 1443; title 26 section
9507.
-FOOTNOTE-
(!1)See References in Text note below.
(!2) See References in Text note below.
-End-
-CITE-
42 USC Sec. 9608 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 42 - THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
CHAPTER 103 - COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE, COMPENSATION,
AND LIABILITY
SUBCHAPTER I - HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES RELEASES, LIABILITY,
COMPENSATION
-HEAD-
Sec. 9608. Financial responsibility
-STATUTE-
(a) Establishment and maintenance by owner or operator of vessel;
amount; failure to obtain certification of compliance
(1) The owner or operator of each vessel (except a
nonself-propelled barge that does not carry hazardous substances as
cargo) over three hundred gross tons that uses any port or place in
the United States or the navigable waters or any offshore facility,
shall establish and maintain, in accordance with regulations
promulgated by the President, evidence of financial responsibility
of $300 per gross ton (or for a vessel carrying hazardous
substances as cargo, or $5,000,000, whichever is greater) to cover
the liability prescribed under paragraph (1) of section 9607(a) of
this title. Financial responsibility may be established by any one,
or any combination, of the following: insurance, guarantee, surety
bond, or qualification as a self-insurer. Any bond filed shall be
issued by a bonding company authorized to do business in the United
States. In cases where an owner or operator owns, operates, or
charters more than one vessel subject to this subsection, evidence
of financial responsibility need be established only to meet the
maximum liability applicable to the largest of such vessels.
(2) The Secretary of the Treasury shall withhold or revoke the
clearance required by section 91 of title 46, Appendix, of any
vessel subject to this subsection that does not have certification
furnished by the President that the financial responsibility
provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection have been complied
with.
(3) The Secretary of Transportation, in accordance with
regulations issued by him, shall (A) deny entry to any port or
place in the United States or navigable waters to, and (B) detain
at the port or place in the United States from which it is about to
depart for any other port or place in the United States, any vessel
subject to this subsection that, upon request, does not produce
certification furnished by the President that the financial
responsibility provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection have
been complied with.
(4) In addition to the financial responsibility provisions of
paragraph (1) of this subsection, the President shall require
additional evidence of financial responsibility for incineration
vessels in such amounts, and to cover such liabilities recognized
by law, as the President deems appropriate, taking into account the
potential risks posed by incineration and transport for
incineration, and any other factors deemed relevant.
(b) Establishment and maintenance by owner or operator of
production, etc., facilities; amount; adjustment; consolidated
form of responsibility; coverage of motor carriers
(1) Beginning not earlier than five years after December 11,
1980, the President shall promulgate requirements (for facilities
in addition to those under subtitle C of the Solid Waste Disposal
Act [42 U.S.C. 6921 et seq.] and other Federal law) that classes of
facilities establish and maintain evidence of financial
responsibility consistent with the degree and duration of risk
associated with the production, transportation, treatment, storage,
or disposal of hazardous substances. Not later than three years
after December 11, 1980, the President shall identify those classes
for which requirements will be first developed and publish notice
of such identification in the Federal Register. Priority in the
development of such requirements shall be accorded to those classes
of facilities, owners, and operators which the President determines
present the highest level of risk of injury.
(2) The level of financial responsibility shall be initially
established, and, when necessary, adjusted to protect against the
level of risk which the President in his discretion believes is
appropriate based on the payment experience of the Fund, commercial
insurers, courts settlements and judgments, and voluntary claims
satisfaction. To the maximum extent practicable, the President
shall cooperate with and seek the advice of the commercial
insurance industry in developing financial responsibility
requirements. Financial responsibility may be established by any
one, or any combination, of the following: insurance, guarantee,
surety bond, letter of credit, or qualification as a self-insurer.
In promulgating requirements under this section, the President is
authorized to specify policy or other contractual terms,
conditions, or defenses which are necessary, or which are
unacceptable, in establishing such evidence of financial
responsibility in order to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.
(3) Regulations promulgated under this subsection shall
incrementally impose financial responsibility requirements as
quickly as can reasonably be achieved but in no event more than 4
years after the date of promulgation. Where possible, the level of
financial responsibility which the President believes appropriate
as a final requirement shall be achieved through incremental,
annual increases in the requirements.
(4) Where a facility is owned or operated by more than one
person, evidence of financial responsibility covering the facility
may be established and maintained by one of the owners or
operators, or, in consolidated form, by or on behalf of two or more
owners or operators. When evidence of financial responsibility is
established in a consolidated form, the proportional share of each
participant shall be shown. The evidence shall be accompanied by a
statement authorizing the applicant to act for and in behalf of
each participant in submitting and maintaining the evidence of
financial responsibility.
(5) The requirements for evidence of financial responsibility for
motor carriers covered by this chapter shall be determined under
section 31139 of title 49.
(c) Direct action
(1) Releases from vessels
In the case of a release or threatened release from a vessel,
any claim authorized by section 9607 or 9611 of this title may be
asserted directly against any guarantor providing evidence of
financial responsibility for such vessel under subsection (a) of
this section. In defending such a claim, the guarantor may invoke
all rights and defenses which would be available to the owner or
operator under this subchapter. The guarantor may also invoke the
defense that the incident was caused by the willful misconduct of
the owner or operator, but the guarantor may not invoke any other
defense that the guarantor might have been entitled to invoke in
a proceeding brought by the owner or operator against him.
(2) Releases from facilities
In the case of a release or threatened release from a facility,
any claim authorized by section 9607 or 9611 of this title may be
asserted directly against any guarantor providing evidence of
financial responsibility for such facility under subsection (b)
of this section, if the person liable under section 9607 of this
title is in bankruptcy, reorganization, or arrangement pursuant
to the Federal Bankruptcy Code, or if, with reasonable diligence,
jurisdiction in the Federal courts cannot be obtained over a
person liable under section 9607 of this title who is likely to
be solvent at the time of judgment. In the case of any action
pursuant to this paragraph, the guarantor shall be entitled to
invoke all rights and defenses which would have been available to
the person liable under section 9607 of this title if any action
had been brought against such person by the claimant and all
rights and defenses which would have been available to the
guarantor if an action had been brought against the guarantor by
such person.
(d) Limitation of guarantor liability
(1) Total liability
The total liability of any guarantor in a direct action suit
brought under this section shall be limited to the aggregate
amount of the monetary limits of the policy of insurance,
guarantee, surety bond, letter of credit, or similar instrument
obtained from the guarantor by the person subject to liability
under section 9607 of this title for the purpose of satisfying
the requirement for evidence of financial responsibility.
(2) Other liability
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to limit any
other State or Federal statutory, contractual, or common law
liability of a guarantor, including, but not limited to, the
liability of such guarantor for bad faith either in negotiating
or in failing to negotiate the settlement of any claim. Nothing
in this subsection shall be construed, interpreted, or applied to
diminish the liability of any person under section 9607 of this
title or other applicable law.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 96-510, title I, Sec. 108, Dec. 11, 1980, 94 Stat. 2785;
Pub. L. 99-499, title I, Secs. 108, 127(c), Oct. 17, 1986, 100
Stat. 1631, 1692.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The Solid Waste Disposal Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), is
title II of Pub. L. 89-272, Oct. 20, 1965, 79 Stat. 997, as amended
generally by Pub. L. 94-580, Sec. 2, Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2795.
Subtitle C of the Solid Waste Disposal Act is classified generally
to subchapter III (Sec. 6921 et seq.) of chapter 82 of this title.
For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short
Title note set out under section 6901 of this title and Tables.
The Federal Bankruptcy Code, referred to in subsec. (c)(2),
probably means a reference to Title 11, Bankruptcy.
-COD-
CODIFICATION
In subsec. (b)(5), "section 31139 of title 49" substituted for
"section 30 of the Motor Carrier Act of 1980, Public Law 96-296" on
authority of Pub. L. 103-272, Sec. 6(b), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat.
1378, the first section of which enacted subtitles II, III, and V
to X of Title 49, Transportation.
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
1986 - Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 127(c)(1), inserted
"to cover the liability prescribed under paragraph (1) of section
9607(a) of this title" after "whichever is greater)".
Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 127(c)(2), added par. (4).
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 108(a), inserted provisions
relating to evidence of financial responsibility and authority of
the President regarding establishment of that evidence.
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 108(b), substituted "as
quickly as can reasonably be achieved but in no event more than 4
years" for "over a period of not less than three and no more than
six years".
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 108(c), amended subsec. (c)
generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (c) read as follows: "Any
claim authorized by section 9607 or 9611 of this title may be
asserted directly against any guarantor providing evidence of
financial responsibility as required under this section. In
defending such a claim, the guarantor may invoke all rights and
defenses which would be available to the owner or operator under
this subchapter. The guarantor may also invoke the defense that the
incident was caused by the willful misconduct of the owner or
operator, but such guarantor may not invoke any other defense that
such guarantor might have been entitled to invoke in a proceeding
brought by the owner or operator against him."
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 108(c), amended subsec. (d)
generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (d) read as follows: "Any
guarantor acting in good faith against which claims under this
chapter are asserted as a guarantor shall be liable under section
9607 of this title or section 9612(c) of this title only up to the
monetary limits of the policy of insurance or indemnity contract
such guarantor has undertaken or of the guaranty of other evidence
of financial responsibility furnished under this section, and only
to the extent that liability is not excluded by restrictive
endorsement: Provided, That this subsection shall not alter the
liability of any person under section 9607 of this title."
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in section 9609 of this title.
-End-
-CITE-
42 USC Sec. 9609 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 42 - THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
CHAPTER 103 - COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE, COMPENSATION,
AND LIABILITY
SUBCHAPTER I - HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES RELEASES, LIABILITY,
COMPENSATION
-HEAD-
Sec. 9609. Civil penalties and awards
-STATUTE-
(a) Class I administrative penalty
(1) Violations
A civil penalty of not more than $25,000 per violation may be
assessed by the President in the case of any of the following -
(A) A violation of the requirements of section 9603(a) or (b)
of this title (relating to notice).
(B) A violation of the requirements of section 9603(d)(2) of
this title (relating to destruction of records, etc.).
(C) A violation of the requirements of section 9608 of this
title (relating to financial responsibility, etc.), the
regulations issued under section 9608 of this title, or with
any denial or detention order under section 9608 of this title.
(D) A violation of an order under section 9622(d)(3) of this
title (relating to settlement agreements for action under
section 9604(b) of this title).
(E) Any failure or refusal referred to in section 9622(l) of
this title (relating to violations of administrative orders,
consent decrees, or agreements under section 9620 of this
title).
(2) Notice and hearings
No civil penalty may be assessed under this subsection unless
the person accused of the violation is given notice and
opportunity for a hearing with respect to the violation.
(3) Determining amount
In determining the amount of any penalty assessed pursuant to
this subsection, the President shall take into account the
nature, circumstances, extent and gravity of the violation or
violations and, with respect to the violator, ability to pay, any
prior history of such violations, the degree of culpability,
economic benefit or savings (if any) resulting from the
violation, and such other matters as justice may require.
(4) Review
Any person against whom a civil penalty is assessed under this
subsection may obtain review thereof in the appropriate district
court of the United States by filing a notice of appeal in such
court within 30 days from the date of such order and by
simultaneously sending a copy of such notice by certified mail to
the President. The President shall promptly file in such court a
certified copy of the record upon which such violation was found
or such penalty imposed. If any person fails to pay an assessment
of a civil penalty after it has become a final and unappealable
order or after the appropriate court has entered final judgment
in favor of the United States, the President may request the
Attorney General of the United States to institute a civil action
in an appropriate district court of the United States to collect
the penalty, and such court shall have jurisdiction to hear and
decide any such action. In hearing such action, the court shall
have authority to review the violation and the assessment of the
civil penalty on the record.
(5) Subpoenas
The President may issue subpoenas for the attendance and
testimony of witnesses and the production of relevant papers,
books, or documents in connection with hearings under this
subsection. In case of contumacy or refusal to obey a subpoena
issued pursuant to this paragraph and served upon any person, the
district court of the United States for any district in which
such person is found, resides, or transacts business, upon
application by the United States and after notice to such person,
shall have jurisdiction to issue an order requiring such person
to appear and give testimony before the administrative law judge
or to appear and produce documents before the administrative law
judge, or both, and any failure to obey such order of the court
may be punished by such court as a contempt thereof.
(b) Class II administrative penalty
A civil penalty of not more than $25,000 per day for each day
during which the violation continues may be assessed by the
President in the case of any of the following -
(1) A violation of the notice requirements of section 9603(a)
or (b) of this title.
(2) A violation of section 9603(d)(2) of this title (relating
to destruction of records, etc.).
(3) A violation of the requirements of section 9608 of this
title (relating to financial responsibility, etc.), the
regulations issued under section 9608 of this title, or with any
denial or detention order under section 9608 of this title.
(4) A violation of an order under section 9622(d)(3) of this
title (relating to settlement agreements for action under section
9604(b) of this title).
(5) Any failure or refusal referred to in section 9622(l) of
this title (relating to violations of administrative orders,
consent decrees, or agreements under section 9620 of this title).
In the case of a second or subsequent violation the amount of such
penalty may be not more than $75,000 for each day during which the
violation continues. Any civil penalty under this subsection shall
be assessed and collected in the same manner, and subject to the
same provisions, as in the case of civil penalties assessed and
collected after notice and opportunity for hearing on the record in
accordance with section 554 of title 5. In any proceeding for the
assessment of a civil penalty under this subsection the President
may issue subpoenas for the attendance and testimony of witnesses
and the production of relevant papers, books, and documents and may
promulgate rules for discovery procedures. Any person who requested
a hearing with respect to a civil penalty under this subsection and
who is aggrieved by an order assessing the civil penalty may file a
petition for judicial review of such order with the United States
Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit or for any
other circuit in which such person resides or transacts business.
Such a petition may only be filed within the 30-day period
beginning on the date the order making such assessment was issued.
(c) Judicial assessment
The President may bring an action in the United States district
court for the appropriate district to assess and collect a penalty
of not more than $25,000 per day for each day during which the
violation (or failure or refusal) continues in the case of any of
the following -
(1) A violation of the notice requirements of section 9603(a)
or (b) of this title.
(2) A violation of section 9603(d)(2) of this title (relating
to destruction of records, etc.).
(3) A violation of the requirements of section 9608 of this
title (relating to financial responsibility, etc.), the
regulations issued under section 9608 of this title, or with any
denial or detention order under section 9608 of this title.
(4) A violation of an order under section 9622(d)(3) of this
title (relating to settlement agreements for action under section
9604(b) of this title).
(5) Any failure or refusal referred to in section 9622(l) of
this title (relating to violations of administrative orders,
consent decrees, or agreements under section 9620 of this title).
In the case of a second or subsequent violation (or failure or
refusal), the amount of such penalty may be not more than $75,000
for each day during which the violation (or failure or refusal)
continues. For additional provisions providing for judicial
assessment of civil penalties for failure to comply with a request
or order under section 9604(e) of this title (relating to
information gathering and access authorities), see section 9604(e)
of this title.
(d) Awards
The President may pay an award of up to $10,000 to any individual
who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of
any person for a violation subject to a criminal penalty under this
chapter, including any violation of section 9603 of this title and
any other violation referred to in this section. The President
shall, by regulation, prescribe criteria for such an award and may
pay any award under this subsection from the Fund, as provided in
section 9611 of this title.
(e) Procurement procedures
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any executive agency
may use competitive procedures or procedures other than competitive
procedures to procure the services of experts for use in preparing
or prosecuting a civil or criminal action under this chapter,
whether or not the expert is expected to testify at trial. The
executive agency need not provide any written justification for the
use of procedures other than competitive procedures when procuring
such expert services under this chapter and need not furnish for
publication in the Commerce Business Daily or otherwise any notice
of solicitation or synopsis with respect to such procurement.
(f) Savings clause
Action taken by the President pursuant to this section shall not
affect or limit the President's authority to enforce any provisions
of this chapter.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 96-510, title I, Sec. 109, Dec. 11, 1980, 94 Stat. 2787;
Pub. L. 99-499, title I, Sec. 109(c), Oct. 17, 1986, 100 Stat.
1633.)
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
1986 - Pub. L. 99-499 amended section generally. Prior to
amendment, section read as follows: "Any person who, after notice
and an opportunity for a hearing, is found to have failed to comply
with the requirements of section 9608 of this title, the
regulations issued thereunder, or with any denial or detention
order shall be liable to the United States for a civil penalty, not
to exceed $10,000 for each day of violation."
COORDINATION OF TITLES I TO IV OF PUB. L. 99-499
Any provision of titles I to IV of Pub. L. 99-499, imposing any
tax, premium, or fee; establishing any trust fund; or authorizing
expenditures from any trust fund, to have no force or effect, see
section 531 of Pub. L. 99-499, set out as a note under section 1 of
Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 9611, 9622 of this title.
-End-
-CITE-
42 USC Sec. 9610 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 42 - THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
CHAPTER 103 - COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE, COMPENSATION,
AND LIABILITY
SUBCHAPTER I - HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES RELEASES, LIABILITY,
COMPENSATION
-HEAD-
Sec. 9610. Employee protection
-STATUTE-
(a) Activities of employee subject to protection
No person shall fire or in any other way discriminate against, or
cause to be fired or discriminated against, any employee or any
authorized representative of employees by reason of the fact that
such employee or representative has provided information to a State
or to the Federal Government, filed, instituted, or caused to be
filed or instituted any proceeding under this chapter, or has
testified or is about to testify in any proceeding resulting from
the administration or enforcement of the provisions of this
chapter.
(b) Administrative grievance procedure in cases of alleged
violations
Any employee or a representative of employees who believes that
he has been fired or otherwise discriminated against by any person
in violation of subsection (a) of this section may, within thirty
days after such alleged violation occurs, apply to the Secretary of
Labor for a review of such firing or alleged discrimination. A copy
of the application shall be sent to such person, who shall be the
respondent. Upon receipt of such application, the Secretary of
Labor shall cause such investigation to be made as he deems
appropriate. Such investigation shall provide an opportunity for a
public hearing at the request of any party to such review to enable
the parties to present information relating to such alleged
violation. The parties shall be given written notice of the time
and place of the hearing at least five days prior to the hearing.
Any such hearing shall be of record and shall be subject to section
554 of title 5. Upon receiving the report of such investigation,
the Secretary of Labor shall make findings of fact. If he finds
that such violation did occur, he shall issue a decision,
incorporating an order therein and his findings, requiring the
party committing such violation to take such affirmative action to
abate the violation as the Secretary of Labor deems appropriate,
including, but not limited to, the rehiring or reinstatement of the
employee or representative of employees to his former position with
compensation. If he finds that there was no such violation, he
shall issue an order denying the application. Such order issued by
the Secretary of Labor under this subparagraph shall be subject to
judicial review in the same manner as orders and decisions are
subject to judicial review under this chapter.
(c) Assessment of costs and expenses against violator subsequent to
issuance of order of abatement
Whenever an order is issued under this section to abate such
violation, at the request of the applicant a sum equal to the
aggregate amount of all costs and expenses (including the
attorney's fees) determined by the Secretary of Labor to have been
reasonably incurred by the applicant for, or in connection with,
the institution and prosecution of such proceedings, shall be
assessed against the person committing such violation.
(d) Defenses
This section shall have no application to any employee who acting
without discretion from his employer (or his agent) deliberately
violates any requirement of this chapter.
(e) Presidential evaluations of potential loss of shifts of
employment resulting from administration or enforcement of
provisions; investigations; procedures applicable, etc.
The President shall conduct continuing evaluations of potential
loss of shifts of employment which may result from the
administration or enforcement of the provisions of this chapter,
including, where appropriate, investigating threatened plant
closures or reductions in employment allegedly resulting from such
administration or enforcement. Any employee who is discharged, or
laid off, threatened with discharge or layoff, or otherwise
discriminated against by any person because of the alleged results
of such administration or enforcement, or any representative of
such employee, may request the President to conduct a full
investigation of the matter and, at the request of any party, shall
hold public hearings, require the parties, including the employer
involved, to present information relating to the actual or
potential effect of such administration or enforcement on
employment and any alleged discharge, layoff, or other
discrimination, and the detailed reasons or justification
therefore.(!1) Any such hearing shall be of record and shall be
subject to section 554 of title 5. Upon receiving the report of
such investigation, the President shall make findings of fact as to
the effect of such administration or enforcement on employment and
on the alleged discharge, layoff, or discrimination and shall make
such recommendations as he deems appropriate. Such report,
findings, and recommendations shall be available to the public.
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require or
authorize the President or any State to modify or withdraw any
action, standard, limitation, or any other requirement of this
chapter.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 96-510, title I, Sec. 110, Dec. 11, 1980, 94 Stat. 2787.)
-FOOTNOTE-
(!1) So in original.
-End-
-CITE-
42 USC Sec. 9611 01/06/03
-EXPCITE-
TITLE 42 - THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
CHAPTER 103 - COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE, COMPENSATION,
AND LIABILITY
SUBCHAPTER I - HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES RELEASES, LIABILITY,
COMPENSATION
-HEAD-
Sec. 9611. Uses of Fund
-STATUTE-
(a) In general
For the purposes specified in this section there is authorized to
be appropriated from the Hazardous Substance Superfund established
under subchapter A of chapter 98 of title 26 not more than
$8,500,000,000 for the 5-year period beginning on October 17, 1986,
and not more than $5,100,000,000 for the period commencing October
1, 1991, and ending September 30, 1994, and such sums shall remain
available until expended. The preceding sentence constitutes a
specific authorization for the funds appropriated under title II of
Public Law 99-160 (relating to payment to the Hazardous Substances
Trust Fund). The President shall use the money in the Fund for the
following purposes:
(1) Payment of governmental response costs incurred pursuant to
section 9604 of this title, including costs incurred pursuant to
the Intervention on the High Seas Act [33 U.S.C. 1471 et seq.].
(2) Payment of any claim for necessary response costs incurred
by any other person as a result of carrying out the national
contingency plan established under section 1321(c) (!1) of title
33 and amended by section 9605 of this title: Provided, however,
That such costs must be approved under said plan and certified by
the responsible Federal official.
(3) Payment of any claim authorized by subsection (b) of this
section and finally decided pursuant to section 9612 of this
title, including those costs set out in subsection 9612(c)(3) of
this title.
(4) Payment of costs specified under subsection (c) of this
section.
(5) Grants for technical assistance. - The cost of grants under
section 9617(e) of this title (relating to public participation
grants for technical assistance).
(6) Lead contaminated soil. - Payment of not to exceed
$15,000,000 for the costs of a pilot program for removal,
decontamination, or other action with respect to
lead-contaminated soil in one to three different metropolitan
areas.
The President shall not pay for any administrative costs or
expenses out of the Fund unless such costs and expenses are
reasonably necessary for and incidental to the implementation of
this subchapter.
(b) Additional authorized purposes
(1) In general
Claims asserted and compensable but unsatisfied under
provisions of section 1321 of title 33, which are modified by
section 304 of this Act may be asserted against the Fund under
this subchapter; and other claims resulting from a release or
threat of release of a hazardous substance from a vessel or a
facility may be asserted against the Fund under this subchapter
for injury to, or destruction or loss of, natural resources,
including cost for damage assessment: Provided, however, That any
such claim may be asserted only by the President, as trustee, for
natural resources over which the United States has sovereign
rights, or natural resources within the territory or the fishery
conservation zone of the United States to the extent they are
managed or protected by the United States, or by any State for
natural resources within the boundary of that State belonging to,
managed by, controlled by, or appertaining to the State, or by
any Indian tribe or by the United States acting on behalf of any
Indian tribe for natural resources belonging to, managed by,
controlled by, or appertaining to such tribe, or held in trust
for the benefit of such tribe, or belonging to a member of such
tribe if such resources are subject to a trust restriction on
alienation.
(2) Limitation on payment of natural resource claims
(A) General requirements
No natural resource claim may be paid from the Fund unless
the President determines that the claimant has exhausted all
administrative and judicial remedies to recover the amount of
such claim from persons who may be liable under section 9607 of
this title.
(B) Definition
As used in this paragraph, the term "natural resource claim"
means any claim for injury to, or destruction or loss of,
natural resources. The term does not include any claim for the
costs of natural resource damage assessment.
(c) Peripheral matters and limitations
Uses of the Fund under subsection (a) of this section include -
(1) The costs of assessing both short-term and long-term injury
to, destruction of, or loss of any natural resources resulting
from a release of a hazardous substance.
(2) The costs of Federal or State or Indian tribe efforts in
the restoration, rehabilitation, or replacement or acquiring the
equivalent of any natural resources injured, destroyed, or lost
as a result of a release of a hazardous substance.
(3) Subject to such amounts as are provided in appropriation
Acts, the costs of a program to identify, investigate, and take
enforcement and abatement action against releases of hazardous
substances.
(4) Any costs incurred in accordance with subsection (m) of
this section (relating to ATSDR) and section 9604(i) of this
title, including the costs of epidemiologic and laboratory
studies, health assessments, preparation of toxicologic profiles,
development and maintenance of a registry of persons exposed to
hazardous substances to allow long-term health effect studies,
and diagnostic services not otherwise available to determine
whether persons in populations exposed to hazardous substances in
connection with a release or a suspected release are suffering
from long-latency diseases.
(5) Subject to such amounts as are provided in appropriation
Acts, the costs of providing equipment and similar overhead,
related to the purposes of this chapter and section 1321 of title
33, and needed to supplement equipment and services available
through contractors or other non-Federal entities, and of
establishing and maintaining damage assessment capability, for
any Federal agency involved in strike forces, emergency task
forces, or other response teams under the national contingency
plan.
(6) Subject to such amounts as are provided in appropriation
Acts, the costs of a program to protect the health and safety of
employees involved in response to hazardous substance releases.
Such program shall be developed jointly by the Environmental
Protection Agency, the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, and the National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health and shall include, but not be limited to,
measures for identifying and assessing hazards to which persons
engaged in removal, remedy, or other response to hazardous
substances may be exposed, methods to protect workers from such
hazards, and necessary regulatory and enforcement measures to
assure adequate protection of such employees.
(7) Evaluation costs under petition provisions of section
9605(d). - Costs incurred by the President in evaluating
facilities pursuant to petitions under section 9605(d) of this
title (relating to petitions for assessment of release).
(8) Contract costs under section 9604(a)(1). - The costs of
contracts or arrangements entered into under section 9604(a)(1)
of this title to oversee and review the conduct of remedial
investigations and feasibility studies undertaken by persons
other than the President and the costs of appropriate Federal and
State oversight of remedial activities at National Priorities
List sites resulting from consent orders or settlement
agreements.
(9) Acquisition costs under section 9604(j). - The costs
incurred by the President in acquiring real estate or interests
in real estate under section 9604(j) of this title (relating to
acquisition of property).
(10) Research, development, and demonstration costs under
section 9660. - The cost of carrying out section 9660 of this
title (relating to research, development, and demonstration),
except that the amounts available for such purposes shall not
exceed the amounts specified in subsection (n) of this section.
(11) Local government reimbursement. - Reimbursements to local
governments under section 9623 of this title, except that during
the 8-fiscal year period beginning October 1, 1986, not more than
0.1 percent of the total amount appropriated from the Fund may be
used for such reimbursements.
(12) Worker training and education grants. - The costs of
grants under section 9660a of this title for training and
education of workers to the extent that such costs do not exceed
$20,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990,
1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994.
(13) Awards under section 9609. - The costs of any awards
granted under section 9609(d) of this title.
(14) Lead poisoning study. - The cost of carrying out the study
under subsection (f) of section 118 of the Superfund Amendments
and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (relating to lead poisoning in
children).
(d) Additional limitations
(1) No money in the Fund may be used under subsection (c)(1) and
(2) of this section, nor for the payment of any claim under
subsection (b) of this section, where the injury, destruction, or
loss of natural resources and the release of a hazardous substance
from which such damages resulted have occurred wholly before
December 11, 1980.
(2) No money in the Fund may be used for the payment of any claim
under subsection (b) of this section where such expenses are
associated with injury or loss resulting from long-term exposure to
ambient concentrations of air pollutants from multiple or diffuse
sources.
(e) Funding requirements respecting moneys in Fund; limitation on
certain claims; Fund use outside Federal property boundaries
(1) Claims against or presented to the Fund shall not be valid or
paid in excess of the total money in the Fund at any one time. Such
claims become valid only when additional money is collected,
appropriated, or otherwise added to the Fund. Should the total
claims outstanding at any time exceed the current balance of the
Fund, the President shall pay such claims, to the extent authorized
under this section, in full in the order in which they were finally
determined.
(2) In any fiscal year, 85 percent of the money credited to the
Fund under subchapter II (!2) of this chapter shall be available
only for the purposes specified in paragraphs (1), (2), and (4) of
subsection (a) of this section. No money in the Fund may be used
for the payment of any claim under subsection (a)(3) or subsection
(b) of this section in any fiscal year for which the President
determines that all of the Fund is needed for response to threats
to public health from releases or threatened releases of hazardous
substances.
(3) No money in the Fund shall be available for remedial action,
other than actions specified in subsection (c) of this section,
with respect to federally owned facilities; except that money in
the Fund shall be available for the provision of alternative water
supplies (including the reimbursement of costs incurred by a
municipality) in any case involving groundwater contamination
outside the boundaries of a federally owned facility in which the
federally owned facility is not the only potentially responsible
party.
(4) Paragraphs (1) and (4) of subsection (a) of this section
shall in the aggregate be subject to such amounts as are provided
in appropriation Acts.
(f) Obligation of moneys by Federal officials; obligation of moneys
or settlement of claims by State officials or Indian tribe
The President is authorized to promulgate regulations designating
one or more Federal officials who may obligate money in the Fund in
accordance with this section or portions thereof. The President is
also authorized to delegate authority to obligate money in the Fund
or to settle claims to officials of a State or Indian tribe
operating under a contract or cooperative agreement with the
Federal Government pursuant to section 9604(d) of this title.
(g) Notice to potential injured parties by owner and operator of
vessel or facility causing release of substance; rules and
regulations
The President shall provide for the promulgation of rules and
regulations with respect to the notice to be provided to potential
injured parties by an owner and operator of any vessel, or facility
from which a hazardous substance has been released. Such rules and
regulations shall consider the scope and form of the notice which
would be appropriate to carry out the purposes of this subchapter.
Upon promulgation of such rules and regulations, the owner and
operator of any vessel or facility from which a hazardous substance
has been released shall provide notice in accordance with such
rules and regulations. With respect to releases from public
vessels, the President shall provide such notification as is
appropriate to potential injured parties. Until the promulgation of
such rules and regulations, the owner and operator of any vessel or
facility from which a hazardous substance has been released shall
provide reasonable notice to potential injured parties by
publication in local newspapers serving the affected area.
(h) Repealed. Pub. L. 99-499, title I, Sec. 111(c)(2), Oct. 17,
1986, 100 Stat. 1643
(i) Restoration, etc., of natural resources
Except in a situation requiring action to avoid an irreversible
loss of natural resources or to prevent or reduce any continuing
danger to natural resources or similar need for emergency action,
funds may not be used under this chapter for the restoration,
rehabilitation, or replacement or acquisition of the equivalent of
any natural resources until a plan for the use of such funds for
such purposes has been developed and adopted by affected Federal
agencies and the Governor or Governors of any State having
sustained damage to natural resources within its borders, belonging
to, managed by or appertaining to such State, and by the governing
body of any Indian tribe having sustained damage to natural
resources belonging to, managed by, controlled by, or appertaining
to such tribe, or held in trust for the benefit of such tribe, or
belonging to a member of such tribe if such resources are subject
to a trust restriction on alienation, after adequate public notice
and opportunity for hearing and consideration of all public
comment.
(j) Use of Post-closure Liability Fund
The President shall use the money in the Post-closure Liability
Fund for any of the purposes specified in subsection (a) of this
section with respect to a hazardous waste disposal facility for
which liability has transferred to such fund under section 9607(k)
of this title, and, in addition, for payment of any claim or
appropriate request for costs of response, damages, or other
compensation for injury or loss under section 9607 of this title or
any other State or Federal law, resulting from a release of a
hazardous substance from such a facility.
(k) Inspector General
In each fiscal year, the Inspector General of each department,
agency, or instrumentality of the United States which is carrying
out any authority of this chapter shall conduct an annual audit of
all payments, obligations, reimbursements, or other uses of the
Fund in the prior fiscal year, to assure that the Fund is being
properly administered and that claims are being appropriately and
expeditiously considered. The audit shall include an examination of
a sample of agreements with States (in accordance with the
provisions of the Single Audit Act [31 U.S.C. 7501 et seq.])
carrying out response actions under this subchapter and an
examination of remedial investigations and feasibility studies
prepared for remedial actions. The Inspector General shall submit
to the Congress an annual report regarding the audit report
required under this subsection. The report shall contain such
recommendations as the Inspector General deems appropriate. Each
department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States shall
cooperate with its inspector general in carrying out this
subsection.
(l) Foreign claimants
To the extent that the provisions of this chapter permit, a
foreign claimant may assert a claim to the same extent that a
United States claimant may assert a claim if -
(1) the release of a hazardous substance occurred (A) in the
navigable waters or (B) in or on the territorial sea or adjacent
shoreline of a foreign country of which the claimant is a
resident;
(2) the claimant is not otherwise compensated for his loss;
(3) the hazardous substance was released from a facility or
from a vessel located adjacent to or within the navigable waters
or was discharged in connection with activities conducted under
the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, as amended (43 U.S.C. 1331
et seq.) or the Deepwater Port Act of 1974, as amended (33 U.S.C.
1501 et seq.); and
(4) recovery is authorized by a treaty or an executive
agreement between the United States and foreign country involved,
or if the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Attorney
General and other appropriate officials, certifies that such
country provides a comparable remedy for United States claimants.
(m) Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
There shall be directly available to the Agency for Toxic
Substances and Disease Registry to be used for the purpose of
carrying out activities described in subsection (c)(4) of this
section and section 9604(i) of this title not less than $50,000,000
per fiscal year for each of fiscal years 1987 and 1988, not less
than $55,000,000 for fiscal year 1989, and not less than
$60,000,000 per fiscal year for each of fiscal years 1990, 1991,
1992, 1993, and 1994. Any funds so made available which are not
obligated by the end of the fiscal year in which made available
shall be returned to the Fund.
(n) Limitations on research, development, and demonstration program
(1) Section 9660(b)
For each of the fiscal years 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991,
1992, 1993, and 1994, not more than $20,000,000 of the amounts
available in the Fund may be used for the purposes of carrying
out the applied research, development, and demonstration program
for alternative or innovative technologies and training program
authorized under section 9660(b) of this title (relating to
research, development, and demonstration) other than basic
research. Such amounts shall remain available until expended.
(2) Section 9660(a)
From the amounts available in the Fund, not more than the
following amounts may be used for the purposes of section 9660(a)
of this title (relating to hazardous substance research,
demonstration, and training activities):
(A) For the fiscal year 1987, $3,000,000.
(B) For the fiscal year 1988, $10,000,000.
(C) For the fiscal year 1989, $20,000,000.
(D) For the fiscal year 1990, $30,000,000.
(E) For each of the fiscal years 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994,
$35,000,000.
No more than 10 percent of such amounts shall be used for
training under section 9660(a) of this title in any fiscal year.
(3) Section 9660(d)
For each of the fiscal years 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991,
1992, 1993, and 1994, not more than $5,000,000 of the amounts
available in the Fund may be used for the purposes of section
9660(d) of this title (relating to university hazardous substance
research centers).
(o) Notification procedures for limitations on certain payments
Not later than 90 days after October 17, 1986, the President
shall develop and implement procedures to adequately notify, as
soon as practicable after a site is included on the National
Priorities List, concerned local and State officials and other
concerned persons of the limitations, set forth in subsection
(a)(2) of this section, on the payment of claims for necessary
response costs incurred with respect to such site.
(p) General revenue share of Superfund
(1) In general
The following sums are authorized to be appropriated, out of
any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the
Hazardous Substance Superfund:
(A) For fiscal year 1987, $212,500,000.
(B) For fiscal year 1988, $212,500,000.
(C) For fiscal year 1989, $212,500,000.
(D) For fiscal year 1990, $212,500,000.
(E) For fiscal year 1991, $212,500,000.
(F) For fiscal year 1992, $212,500,000.
(G) For fiscal year 1993, $212,500,000.
(H) For fiscal year 1994, $212,500,000.
In addition there is authorized to be appropriated to the
Hazardous Substance Superfund for each fiscal year an amount
equal to so much of the aggregate amount authorized to be
appropriated under this subsection (and paragraph (2) of section
9631(b) (!3) of this title) as has not been appropriated before
the beginning of the fiscal year involved.
(2) Computation
The amounts authorized to be appropriated under paragraph (1)
of this subsection in a given fiscal year shall be available only
to the extent that such amount exceeds the amount determined by
the Secretary under section 9507(b)(2) of title 26 for the prior
fiscal year.
-SOURCE-
(Pub. L. 96-510, title I, Sec. 111, Dec. 11, 1980, 94 Stat. 2788;
Pub. L. 99-499, title I, Sec. 111, title II, Sec. 207(d), Oct. 17,
1986, 100 Stat. 1642, 1706; Pub. L. 101-144, title III, Nov. 9,
1989, 103 Stat. 857; Pub. L. 101-508, title VI, Sec. 6301, Nov. 5,
1990, 104 Stat. 1388-319.)
-REFTEXT-
REFERENCES IN TEXT
Title II of Public Law 99-160 (relating to payment to the
Hazardous Substances Trust Fund), referred to in subsec. (a), is
title II of Pub. L. 99-160, Nov. 25, 1985, 99 Stat. 914. Provisions
of title II relating to the Hazardous Substance Response Trust Fund
are not classified to the Code. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see Tables.
The Intervention on the High Seas Act, referred to in subsec.
(a)(1), is Pub. L. 93-248, Feb. 5, 1974, 88 Stat. 8, as amended,
which is classified generally to chapter 28 (Sec. 1471 et seq.) of
Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set
out under section 1471 of Title 33 and Tables.
Section 1321(c) of title 33, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), was
amended generally by Pub. L. 101-380, title IV, Sec. 4201(a), Aug.
18, 1990, 104 Stat. 523, and no longer contains provisions
establishing a National Contingency Plan. However, such provisions
are contained in section 1321(d) of Title 33, Navigation and
Navigable Waters.
Section 304 of this Act, referred to in subsec. (b), is section
304 of Pub. L. 96-510, title III, Dec. 11, 1980, 94 Stat. 2809,
which enacted section 9654 of this title and amended section 1364
of Title 33.
Fishery conservation zone, referred to in subsec. (b), probably
means the fishery conservation zone established by section 1811 of
Title 16, Conservation, which as amended generally by Pub. L.
99-659, title I, Sec. 101(b), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3706,
relates to United States sovereign rights and fishery management
authority over fish within the exclusive economic zone as defined
in section 1802 of Title 16.
Subsection (f) of section 118 of the Superfund Amendments and
Reauthorization Act of 1986, referred to in subsec. (c)(14), is
section 118(f) of Pub. L. 99-499, title I, Oct. 17, 1986, 100 Stat.
1657, which is not classified to the Code.
Subchapter II of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (e)(2), was
in the original "title II of this Act", meaning title II of Pub. L.
96-510, Dec. 11, 1980, 94 Stat. 2796, known as the Hazardous
Substance Response Revenue Act of 1980, which enacted subchapter II
of this chapter and sections 4611, 4612, 4661, 4662, 4681, and 4682
of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code. Sections 221 to 223 and 232 of
Pub. L. 96-510, which were classified to sections 9631 to 9633 and
9641 of this title, comprising subchapter II of this chapter, were
repealed by Pub. L. 99-499, title V, Secs. 514(b), 517(c)(1), Oct.
17, 1986, 100 Stat. 1767, 1774. For complete classification of
title II to the Code, see Short Title of 1980 Amendment note set
out under section 1 of Title 26 and Tables.
The Single Audit Act, referred to in subsec. (k), probably means
the Single Audit Act of 1984, Pub. L. 98-502, Oct. 19, 1984, 98
Stat. 2327, as amended, which is classified generally to chapter 75
(Sec. 7501 et seq.) of Title 31, Money and Finance. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set
out under section 7501 of Title 31 and Tables.
The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act as amended, referred to in
subsec. (l)(3), is act Aug. 7, 1953, ch. 345, 67 Stat. 462, as
amended, which is classified generally to subchapter III (Sec. 1331
et seq.) of chapter 29 of Title 43, Public Lands. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set
out under section 1331 of Title 43 and Tables.
The Deepwater Port Act of 1974, as amended, referred to in
subsec. (l)(3), is Pub. L. 93-627, Jan. 3, 1975, 88 Stat. 2126, as
amended, which is classified generally to chapter 29 (Sec. 1501 et
seq.) of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set
out under section 1501 of Title 33 and Tables.
Section 9631(b) of this title, referred to in subsec. (p)(1), was
repealed by Pub. L. 99-499, title V, Sec. 517(c)(1), Oct. 17, 1986,
100 Stat. 1774.
-MISC1-
AMENDMENTS
1990 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 101-508, Sec. 6301(1), inserted "and
not more than $5,100,000,000 for the period commencing October 1,
1991, and ending September 30, 1994," after "October 17, 1986," in
introductory provisions.
Subsec. (c)(11). Pub. L. 101-508, Sec. 6301(2), substituted
"8-fiscal year period" for "5-fiscal-year period".
Subsec. (c)(12). Pub. L. 101-508, Sec. 6301(3), substituted
"1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994" for "and 1991".
Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 101-508, Sec. 6301(4), substituted "1990,
1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994" for "1990 and 1991".
Subsec. (n)(1). Pub. L. 101-508, Sec. 6301(5), substituted "1991,
1992, 1993, and 1994" for "and 1991".
Subsec. (n)(2)(E). Pub. L. 101-508, Sec. 6301(6), added subpar.
(E) and struck out former subpar. (E) which read as follows: "For
the fiscal year 1991, $35,000,000."
Subsec. (n)(3). Pub. L. 101-508, Sec. 6301(7), substituted "1991,
1992, 1993, and 1994" for "and 1991".
Subsec. (p)(1)(F) to (H). Pub. L. 101-508, Sec. 6301(8), added
subpars. (F) to (H).
1989 - Subsec. (c)(12). Pub. L. 101-144, which directed that
section 9611(c)(12) of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization
Act of 1986 be amended by substituting "$20,000,000" for
"$10,000,000", was executed by making the substitution in subsec.
(c)(12) of this section, as the probable intent of Congress because
the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, Pub. L.
99-499, does not contain a section 9611, but section 111(d)(2) of
Pub. L. 99-499 enacted subsec. (c)(12) of this section.
1986 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 111(a), (b), inserted
heading and "For the purposes specified in this section there is
authorized to be appropriated from the Hazardous Substance
Superfund established under subchapter A of chapter 98 of title 26
not more than $8,500,000,000 for the 5-year period beginning on
October 17, 1986, and such sums shall remain available until
expended. The preceding sentence constitutes a specific
authorization for the funds appropriated under title II of Public
Law 99-160 (relating to payment to the Hazardous Substances Trust
Fund)." in introductory provisions, substituted "Payment" for
"payment" in pars. (1) to (4), a period for a semicolon in pars.
(1) and (2), and a period for "; and" in par. (3), and added pars.
(5) and (6).
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99-499, Secs. 111(c)(1), 207(d)(1),
designated existing provisions as par. (1), inserted ", or by any
Indian tribe or by the United States acting on behalf of any Indian
tribe for natural resources belonging to, managed by, controlled
by, or appertaining to such tribe, or held in trust for the benefit
of such tribe, or belonging to a member of such tribe if such
resources are subject to a trust restriction on alienation" in par.
(1), and added par. (2).
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 99-499, Secs. 111(d), 207(d)(2), in par.
(1), substituted "The" for "the" and substituted a period for the
semicolon at end, in par. (2), substituted "The" for "the",
inserted "or Indian tribe" and substituted a period for the
semicolon at end, in par. (3), substituted "Subject" for "subject"
and substituted a period for the semicolon at end, in par. (4),
substituted "Any costs incurred in accordance with subsection (m)
of this section (relating to ATSDR) and section 9604(i) of this
title, including the costs of epidemiologic and laboratory studies,
health assessments, preparation of toxicologic profiles" for "the
costs of epidemiologic studies" and substituted a period for the
semicolon at end, in par. (5), substituted a period for "; and", in
pars. (5) and (6), substituted "Subject" for "subject", and added
pars. (7) to (14).
Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 111(e), inserted at end "No
money in the Fund may be used for the payment of any claim under
subsection (a)(3) or subsection (b) of this section in any fiscal
year for which the President determines that all of the Fund is
needed for response to threats to public health from releases or
threatened releases of hazardous substances."
Subsec. (e)(3). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 111(f), inserted before the
period at end "; except that money in the Fund shall be available
for the provision of alternative water supplies (including the
reimbursement of costs incurred by a municipality) in any case
involving groundwater contamination outside the boundaries of a
federally owned facility in which the federally owned facility is
not the only potentially responsible party".
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 207(d)(3), inserted "or Indian
tribe".
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 111(c)(2), struck out subsec.
(h) which read as follows:
"(1) In accordance with regulations promulgated under section
9651(c) of this title, damages for injury to, destruction of, or
loss of natural resources resulting from a release of a hazardous
substance, for the purposes of this chapter and section 1321(f)(4)
and (5) of title 33, shall be assessed by Federal officials
designated by the President under the national contingency plan
published under section 9605 of this title, and such officials
shall act for the President as trustee under this section and
section 1321(f)(5) of title 33.
"(2) Any determination or assessment of damages for injury to,
destruction of, or loss of natural resources for the purposes of
this chapter and section 1321(f)(4) and (5) of title 33 shall have
the force and effect of a rebuttable presumption on behalf of any
claimant (including a trustee under section 9607 of this title or a
Federal agency) in any judicial or adjudicatory administrative
proceeding under this chapter or section 1321 of title 33."
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 207(d)(4), inserted "and by the
governing body of any Indian tribe having sustained damage to
natural resources belonging to, managed by, controlled by, or
appertaining to such tribe, or held in trust for the benefit of
such tribe, or belonging to a member of such tribe if such
resources are subject to a trust restriction on alienation," after
"State,".
Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 111(g), amended subsec. (k)
generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (k) read as follows: "The
Inspector General of each department or agency to which
responsibility to obligate money in the Fund is delegated shall
provide an audit review team to audit all payments, obligations,
reimbursements, or other uses of the Fund, to assure that the Fund
is being properly administered and that claims are being
appropriately and expeditiously considered. Each such Inspector
General shall submit to the Congress an interim report one year
after the establishment of the Fund and a final report two years
after the establishment of the Fund. Each such Inspector General
shall thereafter provide such auditing of the Fund as is
appropriate. Each Federal agency shall cooperate with the Inspector
General in carrying out this subsection."
Subsecs. (m) to (p). Pub. L. 99-499, Sec. 111(h), (i), added
subsecs. (m) to (p).
TERMINATION OF REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
For termination, effective May 15, 2000, of provisions in subsec.
(k) of this section relating to the requirement that the Inspector
General submit an annual report to Congress on the audit report
required under subsec. (k), see section 3003 of Pub. L. 104-66, as
amended, set out as a note under section 1113 of Title 31, Money
and Finance, and the 7th item on page 151 of House Document No.
103-7.
COORDINATION OF TITLES I TO IV OF PUB. L. 99-499
Any provision of titles I to IV of Pub. L. 99-499, imposing any
tax, premium, or fee; establishing any trust fund; or authorizing
expenditures from any trust fund, to have no force or effect, see
section 531 of Pub. L. 99-499, set out as a note under section 1 of
Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
-SECREF-
SECTION REFERRED TO IN OTHER SECTIONS
This section is referred to in sections 6924, 6991b, 6991c, 9601,
9604, 9607, 9608, 9609, 9612, 9619, 9661 of this title; title 26
section 9507.
-FOOTNOTE-
(!1) See References in Text note below.
(!2) See References in Text note below.
(!3) See References in Text note below.
-End-
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Enviado por: | El remitente no desea revelar su nombre |
Idioma: | inglés |
País: | Estados Unidos |