Superfund Sites – Removal Action

All removal actions used to handle emergency oil spills or chemical releases and short-term responses require Action Memorandums. Action Memorandums (AM), more commonly referred to as Action Memos, serve as the primary decision document that determines the need for a CERCLA (Superfund) removal action, authorizes the removal action, identifies the action and cleanup levels (if applicable) and explains the rational for the removal response. AMs are completed by the On-Scene Coordinator and provide a concise written record of the selection and approval of the removal action. See Superfund Removal Guidance for Preparing Action Memoranda for the guidance designed to help promote consistent national policy on the development of AMs.

Emergency Removals

Emergency removals (ERs) are the most immediate type of removal action. In ER situations, immediate action is required to reduce risk and prevent or mitigate releases and/or exposures. Site conditions prompting ERs typically pose immediate threats to human health or the environment and/or have observed ongoing releases. On-Scene Coordinators (OSCs), the federal official responsible for monitoring or directing responses to all oil spills and hazardous substance releases reported to the federal government, must determine the degree of National Response System activation, based on the severity of the release, and the response capabilities of Tribe, state, local, and/or potentially responsible parties (PRPs). Federal response teams respond to immediate and emergency threats 24 hours a day, including emergencies such as train derailments, oil spills, mercury spills, and industrial fires. EPA OSCs have primary responsibility for spills and releases to inland areas and waters, while US Coast Guard OSCs have responsibility for coastal waters and the great lakes.

Time-Critical Removals

Time-Critical Removal Actions (TCRAs) are the most common type of removal action. In time-critical removal situations, exposure may not actually be occurring but may have a strong potential to occur. Time-critical situations pose imminent threats, but do not pose an immediate threat. The OSC must determine if site conditions could be worse by not acting in the 6-month period referenced in the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). Therefore, TCRAs are conducted at sites when the lead agency determines actions to protect public health must be undertaken with limited planning time. These actions are expected to be completed within one year, and cost less than $2 million (there are exceptions). The planning period is generally less than six months and the implementation period is less than twelve months from the initiation of site clean-up activities.

Examples of time-critical removals may include situations where exposure is likely occurring, but the contaminant isn’t actively spilling, such as residential lead in yards, abandoned drums, a plating shop, illegal pesticides, etc. Therefore, the on-call OSC may not be sent out immediately as in emergency removal situations.

EPA’s Timing and Procedures for Review of Certain Time-Critical Removal Actions by EPA Headquarters Offices

EPA’s Checklist of Information to Include for Consultation on Time-Critical Removal Actions by the Office of Site Remediation Enforcement

Non-Time Critical Removals

Non-Time Critical Removal Actions (NTCRAs) are conducted when a removal action is appropriate and a six month period is available to plan OR a six month period is needed to plan (i.e., the site is a bit more complex). A NTCRA may be appropriate at Superfund National Priority List sites when it is important to mitigate risks prior to remedy selection. In non-time-critical removal situations, exposure may not actually be occurring but may have a strong potential to occur. Non-time-critical situations pose imminent threats, but do not pose an immediate threat. See EPA’s Superfund Remedy and Non-Time Critical Removal Action (NTCRA) Decision Documentation for guidance documenting remedial and NTCRA decisions, as well as examples that clearly document selected remedies and corresponding decisions that are consistent with CERCLA, the NCP, and EPA guidance.

Additionally, see EPA’s Non-Time-Critical Removal Actions webpage for an overview of how non-time-critical removal actions can address priority risks, providing an important method of moving sites more quickly through the Superfund process. Due to the complexity and multi-phase process of cleaning up Superfund sites, it is important to access the most recent guidance.

Each region may have some variations from this general description of the removal process and Tribes have the option of choosing their level of involvement as time and resources permit.

This “Removal Action Process Timeline Schematic” was developed for states by the Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials and is available to download from their website.

The applicable laws, regulations, policies and guidelines will vary by site, depending on the regulatory authorities that have oversight authority for cleanup. Therefore, it is important to research this information and work with other government agencies and private organizations involved in response to develop relationships and emergency response plans specific to your community’s needs. See EPA’s Emergency Preparedness and Response Coordination – Who are the players and what do they do? for response roles and EPA’s Area Contingency Planning website for information on Contingency Planning in your region.

CERCLA

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund) provides broad authority for federal program response to releases of hazardous substances and pollutants or contaminants. Section 126 of CERCLA requires that EPA afford Tribes substantially the same treatment as states for many response-related purposes, including:

• notification of releases,
• consultation on remedial action,
• access to information, and
• roles and responsibilities under the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan.

Although EPA is responsible for implementing CERCLA site assessment programs, these efforts are typically executed in concert with the states and Tribes through a variety of mechanisms, such as cooperative agreements.

CERCLA section 104 authorizes a removal action when: (1) there is release or substantial threat of release of a hazardous substance into the environment or (2) there is a release or substantial threat of release of a pollutant or contaminant which may present an imminent and substantial danger to the public health or welfare. CERCLA section 104 allows EPA to enter into cooperative agreements with eligible Tribes to perform or participate in Superfund-eligible site response activities. EPA retains final oversight authority. Learn more at EPA’s Tribal Involvement in Land Cleanup Laws and Regulations webpage.

NCP

The National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP), 40 CFR Part 300, is the federal government’s blueprint for responding to both oil spills and hazardous substance releases. The NCP is the result of efforts to develop a national response capability and promote coordination among the hierarchy of responders and contingency plans. See EPA’s National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP) Overview.

EPCRA

The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) was passed in 1986 in response to concerns regarding the environmental and safety hazards posed by the storage and handling of toxic chemicals. EPCRA requirements cover emergency planning and reporting on hazardous and toxic chemicals to help increase the public’s knowledge and access to information on chemicals at individual facilities, their uses, and releases into the environment. Tribes and communities, working with facilities, can use the information to improve chemical safety and protect public health and the environment.

• EPA’s EPCRA website
• EPA’s Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act Fact Sheet
• EPA’s Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention on Tribal Lands
• EPA’s How to Better Prepare Your Community for a Chemical Emergency: A Guide for State, Tribal and Local Agencies
• EPA’s Compliance & Enforcement in Indian Country website

EPA directly implements EPCRA in Indian country, but Tribes are eligible for certain program delegations. Tribes can establish Tribal emergency response commissions (TERCs), which are responsible for coordinating certain emergency response activities, and can appoint Tribal emergence planning committees (TEPCs). See the ‘Obtaining Technical Assistance and Support’ section below for more information.

EPA’s online EPCRA Training for States, Tribes, LEPCs, Local Planners and Responders (Non-Section 313) is designed for state, Tribal, and local agencies to be familiar with the requirements of EPCRA, its implementing regulations and guidance to fulfill their responsibilities prescribed in the law and better prepare them to provide compliance assistance to facilities. The course includes the history of EPCRA, requirements to protect the community from chemical emergencies, requirements for industry to report the storage and releases of certain chemicals, and release reporting requirements under CERCLA as they relate to the EPCRA emergency release reporting requirements.

National Incident Management System and Incident Command System Training

The Incident Command System (ICS) is required by law if an emergency response is made to a situation involving hazardous materials. Therefore, Tribal staff involved in response efforts must have National Incident Management System (NIMS) and ICS training. Watch ITEP’s 15-minute video ICS presentation for more information. The US Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides interactive web based and classroom courses: FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute.

EPA’s Tribal Consultation Policy

EPA’s 2011 Policy on Consultation and Coordination and with Indian Tribes and the 2016 supplemental guidance for discussing Tribal treaty rights describe when and how consultation takes place. Additionally, Tribes may also be interested in EPA’s 2017 memorandum Considering Traditional Ecological Knowledge During the Cleanup Process, which provides direction to improve the decision-making process as it relates to site assessment, characterization, and cleanup activities and EPA’s 2017 recommendations for Consideration of Tribal Treaty Rights and Traditional Ecological Knowledge in the Superfund Remedial Program. Subscribe to EPA’s Tribal Consultation Opportunities Tracking System to receive upcoming and current EPA consultation opportunities for Tribal governments.

FEMA’s Preparedness Resources for Tribes webpage contains information on several resources available to Tribes to help them become more prepared for emergencies, such as training opportunities, grant programs, and preparedness tips. Additionally, FEMA’s Tribal Contacts website contains contact information for FEMA’s Tribal liaisons across the country. These liaisons are the first resource and point of contact for Tribal government that have questions or require technical assistance on agency programs.

The Pollution Removal Funding Authorization, reimbursements for emergency response expenses under CERCLA, EPA Superfund Cooperative Agreements, Clean Water Act (Section 106 and 319) grants, and Brownfields Tribal Response Program funding under CERCLA section 128(a) are examples of funding sources used to reimburse the costs of government agencies assigned to work on the response under Unified Command, respond to releases of hazardous materials, evaluate cleanup, monitor spill sites, and develop response programs.

The Pollution Removal Funding Authorization (PRFA) is a tool available to Federal On-Scene Coordinators (FOSCs) to quickly obtain needed services and assistance from other government agencies: federal, state, or local, as well as recognized Indian Tribes in oil spill response actions. See the National Pollution Funds Center website for details, forms, and publications.

The responsible party is required to pay all valid costs associated with the response to an oil spill. In the short term, the FOSC can reimburse the costs of other government agencies through Pollution Removal Funding Authorizations if the government representative is assigned to work on the response under Unified Command. Each Area Contingency Plan has its own list of how Tribal On-Scene Coordinators (TOSC) are incorporated into Unified Command, therefore, it is imperative to work with your region to identify prerequisite trainings and assert your right to have a seat at the table. Department of Interior Tribal Coordination Specialists will also act as a liaison between the Unified Command and the Tribe if the Tribe does not have a TOSC.

The Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund (OSLTF) Funding for Oil Spills factsheet is a document designed to help the general public understand how Federal response to oil spills is funded under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA). Additional resources can be found on the National Pollution Funds Center’s Spill Response Funding website, including NPFC’s Funding Guidance for Oil Spills and Hazardous Materials Releases.

Local Governments Reimbursement Program: In the event of a release (or threatened release) of hazardous substances, EPA may reimburse Tribes for expenses related to the release and associated emergency response measures. EPA’s Local Governments Reimbursement Program provides a “safety net” of up to $25,000 per incident to local governments that do not have funds available to pay for response actions. Reimbursement applications must be submitted within one year of the “date of response completion” of the response and require detailed cost documentation, therefore, it is highly recommended that Tribes develop a tracking system for expenses prior to an incident.

EPA Superfund Cooperative Agreements (CA) include: Core Program CA, Support Agency CA, Pre-Remedial Response CA, Remedial Response CA, Enforcement CA, and Removal Response CA. Tribes may be eligible for Core Program CAs, Support Agency CAs, and Removal Response CAs as described below and as summarized in Tribal Funding Opportunities at Superfund Responses Video. This video is a 15-minute webinar presentation recorded in 2016. It describes the different types of cooperative agreements that are available and an example from EPA Region 6 describing implementation. See 40 CFR Subpart O – Cooperative Agreements and Superfund State contracts for Superfund Response Actions and EPA’s final rule for details. 

Superfund State and Indian Tribe Core Program Cooperative Agreements provide funds to a Tribe to conduct CERCLA implementation activities that are not assignable to specific sites but are intended to develop and maintain a Tribe’s ability to participate in the CERCLA response program. Tribes do not have to demonstrate jurisdiction over a site because the activities are not related to a site.

Superfund State and Indian Tribe Combined Cooperative Agreements (Site-Specific and Core) provide funds to conduct CERCLA activities which are not assignable to specific sites that support an Indian Tribe’s Superfund program. This assistance program allows site-specific, non-remedial action activities and non-site specific Core state or Indian Tribal Superfund support to be combined within the same cooperative agreement. The site-specific activities may include:

• non-time critical removal actions;
• site characterization activities such as preliminary assessments, site inspections, remedial investigations, feasibility studies, and remedial design activities at potential or confirmed hazardous waste sites;
• support for CERCLA implementation activities;
• identification of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs);
• settlement negotiations;
• enforcement actions against PRPs; and
• oversight of PRP cleanups.

Core program support ensures that states or Indian Tribes can substantially participate in CERCLA response actions. Recipients negotiate with EPA Regions to receive funding for a variety of non-site specific activities that include:

• procedures for emergency response actions and remediation of environmental and health risks;
• provisions for satisfying all requirements and assurances;
• development of legal authorities and enforcement support;
• hiring and training staff; and
• activities that support EPA/Recipient interaction.

Removal Cooperative Agreement – Tribes may apply for removal Cooperative Agreements when EPA determines that a planning period of more than six months, which are generally non-time critical removal actions, is available before the removal activities must begin. Removals that have to be conducted in less than six months are generally conducted by EPA due to their time-critical nature.

Contact your EPA regional representatives for the Superfund Remedial Program in Indian Country for additional information on applying for Superfund Cooperative Agreements. Recipients with Regional approval may receive cooperative agreement awards for multi-year budget and project periods at the Region’s discretion.

Section 106 of the Clean Water Act authorizes EPA to provide financial assistance to Tribes to establish and administer programs for the prevention, reduction, and elimination of water pollution. Section 319 of the Clean Water Act authorizes EPA to provide grants and technical assistance to support Tribal environmental programs in assessing and managing nonpoint source (NPS) pollution problems and threats. Contact your EPA Tribal NPS representative for more information on the wide range of activities that are eligible for funding under section 319.

Tribes can be better prepared to respond to a hazardous material or oil spill by establishing and enhancing a Brownfields Tribal Response Program. EPA’s Brownfields Tribal Response Program under CERCLA section 128(a) grant program funds activities that establish or enhance state and Tribal response program capacity. This program includes related activities that add or improve a Tribal response program or increase the number of sites at which response actions are conducted under such programs. The exact enhancement activities that may be allowable depend upon the work plan negotiated between the EPA regional office and the Tribe. Therefore, regional offices and Tribes may agree that section 128(a) funds may be used for improving the skills of program staff, developing better coordination and understanding of other Tribal programs (e.g., programs that address RCRA, Superfund, or USTs), facilitating collaboration between local organizations and agencies, and developing cleanup standards. See EPA’s current Funding Guidance for State and Tribal Response Programs under “Types of Grant Funding” at EPA’s Brownfields webpage for details.

EPA’s Superfund Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) Program helps communities participate in Superfund cleanup decision-making. It provides funding to community groups to contact their own technical advisor(s) to interpret and explain technical reports, site conditions, and EPA’s proposed cleanup proposals and decisions. Sites must be NPL or sites proposed with a response action, the group applying must be eligible, initial grants are up to $50,000, and most of the funds are to procure a technical advisor.

EPA’s Technical Assistance Services for Communities (TASC) Program provides independent assistance through an EPA contract to help communities better understand the science, regulations and policies of environmental issues and EPA actions. TASC services can include information assistance and expertise, community education, plan development, and assistance to help community members work together to participate effectively in environmental decision-making. This program provides services such as document review, workshops, training, informational materials, and facilitation.

See Superfund Sites – Remedial Action for additional funding sources and technical assistance.

St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Overview for the General Motors and 2 Alcoa Superfund Sites Video (20-minute webinar presentation by St. Regis Mohawk Tribal representatives) provides a history of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe Environmental Division, Superfund sites, Tribal cleanup standards, Core and Support Agency Cooperative Agreements, and tips for successful cooperation with federal agencies. As stated above, Superfund State and Indian Tribe Core Program Cooperative Agreements provide funds to a Tribe to conduct CERCLA implementation activities that are not assignable to specific sites but are intended to develop and maintain a Tribe’s ability to participate in the CERCLA response program. For example, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe used this funding to focus on administrative and technical training of staff to permit them to effectively and safely respond to releases of hazardous materials and conduct site assessments at sites where hazardous substances might be found, and develop health and safety plans. Eligible activities under the Core Program Cooperative Agreements include but are not limited to:

• Procedures for emergency response actions and longer-term remediation of environmental and health risks at hazardous waste sites (development of generic health and safety plans, quality assurance project plans, community relation plans)
• Provisions for satisfying all requirements and assurances (development of a fund or other financing mechanisms to pay for studies of remediation activities)
• Development of legal authorities and enforcement support (developing statutory authorities, access to legal assistance, identifying ARARs, development and maintenance of financial and record keeping systems necessary for cost recovery under CERCLA
• Hire and train staff to manage publically funded cleanups
• Maintain sustained EPA/recipient interaction in CERCLA implementation

Colville Confederated Tribes’ Tribal Response Program Manager, Don Hurst, presented Hazardous Material Spill Response at the Corner of Tribal Response Programs and the Oil Pollution Act (35-minute recording) at the Tribal Lands and Environment Forum in 2017. Mr. Hurst has spent his career cleaning up legacy sites (currently under the Tribe’s Brownfields program) and talks about his experience working with local responders, federal on-scene coordinators, and contractors during a spill on the Colville reservation. He discusses how the Tribe’s involvement with the Unified Command was critical to determine spill response objectives and priorities and refers to the Pollution Removal Funding Authorization (as described above) as funding used to pay independent contractors for modeling that led to determining priorities from the Tribe’s perspective. Mr. Hurst also stresses the importance of having applicable and appropriate Tribal cleanup regulations in place before a spill occurs. The development of these regulations may be funded under EPA’s Brownfields Tribal Response Program under CERCLA section 128(a).

In the event of a hazardous materials spill, it is important to keep your community safe, informed, and updated on a regular basis. Response and cleanups are complex operations and may “appear” to have little activity when awaiting supplies and staff. Therefore, the public must be informed of action behind the scenes to avoid rumors and interference. Whether you have a small spill with a small incident command system (ICS) team (left) or a large spill with a complex ICS team (right), you should identify a Public Information Office (PIO) to communicate with your community. 

The PIO is responsible for developing and releasing information about the incident to the news media, incident personnel, the incident management team, and other appropriate agencies and organizations. See FEMA’s Basic Guidance for Public Information Officers for more information.

The following excerpts are provided in EPA’s 2016 Superfund Community Involvement Handbook:

Emergency Removals

Because an emergency removal can begin within hours or days of the determination that a removal is appropriate, there is little or no time for planning and relatively few procedural and community involvement requirements. Instead, the focus is on communications: quickly disseminating information to warn of the potential threats, advising community members about how to protect themselves, and explaining the protective measures EPA is taking. These actions are the responsibility of the PIO identified as part of the ICS team.

Time-Critical Removals

For all time-critical removals, there is and EPA official that is designates as the spokesperson. This is usually the EPA On-Scene Coordinator (OCS). The NCP addresses two different sets of community involvement activities, depending on the expected duration of the time-critical removal action: (1) short-term responses for which on-site activities will be completed within 120 days of the initiation of on-site actions, and (2) longer-term response actions that require more than 120 days for on-site activities. For a time-critical response, the action memo is the only required written document describing the cleanup options for the release. There are specific community involvement activities required for time-critical removals that are expected to be completed within 120 days, and additional requirements when the time-critical removal will require on-site activities that last longer than 120 days.

Non-Time-Critical Removals

Also see the Public Involvement section in EPA’s Conducting Non-Time-Critical Removal Actions Under CERCLA for specific community relations activities required during non-time-critical removal actions to promote active communication between communities affected by a release or a threat of release (including the potentially responsible party) and the lead agency.

See Superfund Sites (long-term response – remedial actions) for additional resources on EPA’s Superfund Community Involvement Program, Redevelopment Initiative, and Community Advisory Group opportunities. 

Cultural restoration is the goal that many Tribes use to guide their decision-making process and determine future uses of the site. Community values and input are critical to cleaning up a Superfund site so that the Tribe will have full use based on treaty rights. 

Watch the Colville Confederated Tribal Case Study as described in the Tribal Case Study Funding Examples section above. This case study is an example of Tribal involvement with the Unified Command to determine spill response objectives and priorities. Additionally, they hired independent contractors to conduct modeling to assist with determining priorities from the Tribe’s perspective.

Superfund removal cleanup processes are provided via EPA guidance document in the Types of Removal Actions section above.

See Superfund Sites – Remedial Actions for additional resources on Superfund Cleanup.

In the event of a hazardous material or oil spill on or near Tribal lands, it is important to have existing relationships with regional and local responders. One of the most effective ways of developing these relationships is to engage in existing trainings and drills as well as hosting site-specific drills in your community. As part of developing a preparedness plan, Tribes should identify local, state, and federal response coordinators and plan on attending all trainings and drills in your area. See State Emergency Response Commissions Contacts. As stated above, Tribes can establish Tribal emergency response commissions (TERCs), which are responsible for coordinating certain emergency response activities, and can appoint Tribal emergence planning committees (TEPCs). The development of TERCs and TEPCs require regular training and drills with neighboring agencies and organizations.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs Emergency Management Division (BIA EM) is responsible for policy development and program management of Bureau activities concerning disaster preparedness, planning, response and recovery, and continuity of operations; and represents the bureau in coordinating interagency emergency management activities related to Tribal affairs. This includes coordinating with and among Federally Recognized Tribes, Federal agencies, states, and other jurisdictions to enhance preparedness and resilience of Tribal communities for disasters and to support response activities during incidents. BIA EM personnel can provide emergency response support, incident coordination, and can serve as a liaison between Bureau resources and capabilities that support emergency operations for disasters/emergencies on federal trust lands. BIA EM coordinates the BIA all hazards response operations actions and assistance with Tribes, recognizing and respecting the Government to Government relationship. BIA EM, when responding to All-Hazard incidents on Tribal lands, recognizes Tribal sovereignty and respects the Tribal laws, authorities, and policies that govern the actions necessary to provide safety for all Tribal members, property, and natural and cultural resources. See Bureau of Indian Affairs Emergency Management & Tribal Assistance Coordination Group (TAC-G) Overview for more information.

Tribal technical assistance and support is available through US EPA staff, ITEP staff and mentorship programs, Superfund Research Centers, and other service providers and contractors. ITEP will continue to update this webpage as we become informed of Tribal-specific providers. Therefore, please feel free to contact Todd Barnell (Todd.Barnell@nau.edu), ITEP’s Waste and Response Project Director, if you or another Tribal partner you work with would like to be added to this website as a resource. 

See TLAC’s Superfund Mentor Program webpage to apply for a mentorship where you can work directly with another Tribal professional who has dealt with challenges you may be currently facing. 

It is important for Tribes to seek out professional support from service providers and contractors that have experience working with Tribes. Therefore, when soliciting support, Tribes should request contact information to talk to Tribal representatives that have worked with that contractor. ITEP has facilitated Superfund conference calls and webinars that highlight the work of Tribal representatives, agencies, and contractors that you may be interested in contacting. TThe recorded calls and videos can be accessed at TLAC’s Tribal Superfund Working Group webpage. Check back periodically for recent webinars.  

BIA Emergency Response and FEMA Department of Homeland Security facilitate monthly calls with Tribes and other federal agencies and organizations. Contact Patrick Vacha, BIA Emergency Management Acting Director, Patrick.Vacha[at]bia.gov to receive notification for the monthly Tribal Assistance Coordination Group calls. Contact David Munro, DHS Tribal Government Affairs Director, David.Munro[at]hq.dhs.gov to receive notification for the monthly Tribal and DHS collaboration Call and Check In.

The Training Exchange website (Trainex) is designed to provide a wide range of training information to EPA, other federal agency, state, Tribal, and local staff involved in hazardous waste management and remediation. This site includes training scheduled for the delivery of many courses, both classroom and online.

EPA’s Tribal Consultation Tracking System (TCOTS) tracks information about potential future Tribal consultation opportunities and serves as a repository for consultation-relates documents for active consultations for all EPA programs, including Superfund. You may receive email notifications on upcoming EPA Tribal Consultations by joining the TCOTS Listserv on EPA’s TCOTS webpage.

Response Tools

Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO) is a system of software applications used to plan for and respond to chemical emergencies. Developed by EPA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to assist front-line chemical emergency planners and responders, CAMEO can access, store, and evaluate information critical for developing emergency plans.

EPA’s Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology (ASPECT) Based near Dallas, Texas, and able to deploy within one hour of notification, ASPECT is the nation’s only airborne real-time chemical and radiological detection, infrared and photographic imagery platform. ASPECT is available to assist local, national, and international agencies supporting hazardous substance response, radiological incidents, and situational awareness. ASPECT is available 24/7/365 and can begin collecting data at any site in the continental US within nine hours.

Portable High-Throughput Integrated Laboratory Identification System (PHILIS) PHILIS is the EPA’s mobile laboratory asset for the on-site analysis of chemical warfare agent (CWAs) and toxic industrial compound (TICs) contaminated environmental samples and is part of the EPA’s evolving Environmental Response Laboratory Network (ERLN)