EPA Scratches Four Sites Off Superfund Cleanup List
Published Date: 3/5/2025
Rule
Summary
The EPA is officially removing one site and partially removing three others from the Superfund cleanup list because all cleanup work is done. This means these places are safer now, but the EPA can still act if needed in the future. These changes take effect on March 5, 2025, and affect communities in several states, showing progress in protecting health and the environment without new costs right now.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Four Superfund site deletions take effect
The EPA is deleting one site and partially deleting three sites from the Superfund National Priorities List effective March 5, 2025. The actions are: full deletion of Mercury Refining, Inc. (Colonie, NY), and partial deletions of Del Amo (Los Angeles, CA), Lawrence Aviation Industries, Inc. (Port Jefferson Station, NY), and Redstone Arsenal (Huntsville, AL). The agency says all appropriate response actions under CERCLA have been completed for these deletion actions.
Del Amo partial deletion excludes groundwater; controls remain
The Del Amo partial deletion (Los Angeles, CA) covers ten parcels and one road section in Operable Unit 1 and includes surface and subsurface soils but explicitly does not include groundwater. Institutional Control Layers 1 and 2 (including a Building Permit Review process) will remain in place after the partial deletion to screen construction projects and help mitigate potential exposure during redevelopment.
Deletion does not remove future cleanup liability
The EPA states that deletion from the NPL does not preclude future Superfund actions: a deleted site may be restored to the NPL if there is a significant release, and deletion does not affect responsible‑party liability if future actions are warranted. These legal positions apply going forward for the deleted or partially deleted sites.
Some deleted sites keep oversight and monitoring
For some sites the EPA notes continued activities after deletion: operation and maintenance of the remedy (footnote 1), continued monitoring (footnote 2), and five‑year reviews (footnote 3). For example, the Mercury Refining, Inc. entry carries footnotes 1, 2, and 3 indicating ongoing O&M, monitoring, and five‑year reviews will continue despite deletion.
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