EPA workgroups implemented 42 Superfund Task Force recommendations under five overarching goals, which addressed expediting cleanup and remediation processes, reducing financial burden on all parties involved in the entire cleanup process, encouraging private investment, promoting site redevelopment and community revitalization, and building and strengthening partnerships. EPA released the Superfund Task Force Final Report in 2019. This report identifies the performance measures that will be integrated into EPA to ensure the successful implementation of lessons learned for the future of the Superfund Program and the future of Superfund sites, imposing accountability on EPA to maintain its commitment to reclaim, restore, and reuse these sites.
“I invite all of us to hold the Agency accountable to achieve the prompt cleanup and reuse of these national priority sites.”
Andrew Wheeler, EPA Administrator, Superfund Task Force Final Report (p. 4)
Superfund Sites On or Near Tribal Lands
Superfund sites on or near Tribal lands were highlighted in the Superfund Task Force Final Report as described below.
Quapaw Nation
The Tar Creek Superfund Site, which includes land owned by the Quapaw Nation, was included in the Superfund Task Force: Administrator’s Emphasis List to bring parties together to develop a long-term strategy to manage risks, cleanup, and economic opportunities.
Excerpt from the Superfund Task Force Final Report. Also see the Superfund Task Force Achievements and Progress Goal 1 for more information.
Additionally, under the Superfund Task Force recommendation to engage Superfund communities in cleanup and redevelopment, EPA has collaborated with Quapaw Nation Environmental Office and an Oklahoma state power agency, the Grand River Dam Authority, on the development of a solar reuse assessment covering the site portion located on Quapaw Nation Tribal lands.
Coeur d’ Alene Tribe
The Coeur d’Alene Basin Cleanup, also known as the Bunker Hill Mining & Metallurgical Complex Superfund Site was one of the six pilots selected to demonstrate the benefits of implementing a formal and structured adaptive management framework. The objective for the Coeur d’Alene Basin Cleanup is to demonstrate how an adaptive management plan can be developed for the Lower Basin portion of a complex, large mining site with a focus on remediation under a record of decision (ROD).
In conjunction with EPA’s cleanup efforts, the Coeur d’ Alene Tribe, US Department of Agriculture, US Department of the Interior, and State of Idaho have taken the leading role in natural resource restoration efforts once EPA has completed their Remedial Action Objectives for the Site. For more information visit the Coeur d’ Alene Basin Restoration Project.
Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
The St. Regis Paper Company Superfund Site located within the external boundaries of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Indian Reservation is an example of optimization, enhancing cleanup progress at sites with targeted characteristics, that was highlighted in the Superfund Task Force Final Report.
Excerpt from the Superfund Task Force Final Report. Also see the Cleanup Optimization at Superfund Sites for more information.
Additional Superfund Task Force Information
EPA’s Superfund Task Force quarterly status reports, news, and achievements are available on EPA’s Superfund Task Force webpage.