GAO Finds EPA Superfund Reforms Super Failure

June 14, 2000
A report released by the General\r\nAccounting Office shows that nearly three-fourths of the\r\nSuperfund reforms implemented by EPA are "ineffective and\r\nunmeasurable."

Rep. Tom Bliley, R-Va., recently released a report by the General Accounting Office (GAO) that shows that nearly three-fourths of the Superfund reforms implemented by EPA are ineffective and unmeasurable.

EPA has claimed that the Superfund program has improved, however, the GAO report said that for a majoriety of the 62 reofrms, it is difficult for the agency "to demonstrate the extent to which they are working."

"This is a super failure by the Clinton-Gore Administration," said Bliley. "It is shocking that 42 out of 62 administrative reforms by EPA were ineffective and could not be measured."

Bliley sked the GAO to conduct an indepth evaluation of the Superfund Administration reforms.

According to EPA reform managers, all 62 reforms are important and have helped to improve the program, but 42 of them involve activities that did not have a fundamental impact on the program and could not easilty be measured for any results achieved, GAO found.

GAO reviewed EPA''s performance measure for each reform and found that the agency had more measures in place since its last review, and for a small number of reforms, the measures demonstrate results such as cost savings.

However, GAO found that "EPA cannot directly link the majority of its reforms to improvements in the program."

"The GAO report illustrates that administrative reforms have been tried and are not doing the job," said Bliley. "The only way Superfund sites are going to get cleaned up faster and more efficiently is by Congress changing the law."

In its report, GAO suggested that "better measuement and oversight of the key reforms, as well as better understanding of the reasons for regional variation in the implementation of the program, could help EPA bet the maximium benefits from the reform initiative."

by Virginia Sutcliffe

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

Sponsored Recommendations

Ensuring a Safer Workplace through a Comprehensive Contractor Qualification Framework

March 13, 2025
Avetta is a leader in contractor management, and with over 15 years of industry experience, we can help you establish a robust contractor pre-qualification program that aligns...

EQT Private Equity to Acquire Avetta from WCAS

March 13, 2025
EQT commits to supporting Avetta in its ongoing growth and innovation journey.

Guide to OSHA Workplace Lighting Requirements

March 13, 2025
Learn OSHA workplace lighting requirements to enhance safety, productivity, and quality. Discover standards, compliance benefits, and risks of non-compliance.

What is the difference between Tier 1, 2, and 3 suppliers and why do they matter?

March 13, 2025
From raw materials to final products, each supplier tier poses risks and liabilities that can impact your organization. Avetta's supply chain management software offers peace ...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!