Federal Facilities and Superfund Programs

Introduction
Contacts
Statutory Sections
Additional Information
Related Programs
Other Related Links

Introduction

The federal government is involved in all of the sites that fall under the “Federal Facilities and Superfund Program” umbrella. Sometimes the federal representative is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) as the lead regulator for sites listed on the National Priorities or “Superfund” List. Sometimes the federal representative is a component of the Department of Defense (DOD), because the problems at the site are the result of past military activity. Sometimes a military facility has been placed on the Superfund list and both EPA and DOD are involved.

No matter what federal agency or agencies are involved, federal law requires that the investigation and remedial action at these sites meet state standards, criteria, regulations and guidelines. The state plays a role in remedy selection and the state is the sole regulator at most federal facilities.

The National Priorities List, or “Superfund”

Congress passed the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act in 1980. The statute is more commonly referred to as the Superfund law. The law was written to respond to improper disposal of hazardous substances that took place before disposal of wastes was regulated. Among the many provisions of Superfund was the National Priorities List (NPL). Sites are placed on the NPL only after initial investigation indicates that federal involvement is warranted.

Since 1982, 14 Maine sites have been placed on the NPL. Twelve of these are managed by the Federal Facilities and Superfund Program. Two active Navy bases and one closed Air Force Base are listed on the NPL.

Defense Environmental Restoration Program

The Superfund law imposes requirement on the federal government, including DOD, to identify and address environmental problems for past activities at current and former military installations even when the release or potential release is not eligible for the NPL.

In addition to the former Loring Air Force Base and the active Navy bases in Kittery and Brunswick , a number of active, recently closed and transferred, and former defense facilities are scattered across Maine .

The unit coordinates the State's response to all environmental restoration activities at current and former military sites, including Formerly Utilized Defense Sites (FUDS). Restoration activities range from underground tank removals, and site assessments to corrective action, complex groundwater and soil remediation projects, community relations, negotiation of cleanup agreements, and other tasks.

Military Munitions Response Program

DOD recently began to separate its investigation, cleanup and funding efforts for closed military ranges. Ranges are very broadly defined and include pistol and rifle ranges, skeet ranges, practice bombing ranges, and areas used for testing chemical weapons. To date only minimal training and information has been available on former ranges. Congress has directed DOD to develop a list of munitions sites, including FUDS, and regulations have been drafted for reprioritizing these sites. The proposed regulations address potential hazards posed by munitions constituents and media contaminated by explosive wastes.

Contacts

For more information about the Federal Facilities and Superfund Program contact Ted Wolfe at 207- 287-2651 or 287-8552.

For site specific contacts, please click here for contacts for specific projects (htm format).

Statutory Sections

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act

The Superfund Law

Additional Information

The Division of Remediation Sites List Database - the public record of sites in the Division of Remediation, including Federal Facilities & Superfund Program sites.
Department of Defense (DOD) List
(Updated June 29, 2004) - The purpose of the List of Department of Defense (DOD) Sites is to identify all current and former DOD sites, summarize the status of cleanup activities, and indicate those sites which also appear on the Division of Remediation Sites List Database - View the DOD List in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) (52KB)
Maine 's Remedial Action Guidelines - guidelines for Hazardous Substances in soil may be used as cleanup levels for contaminated sites where the underlying assumptions are appropriate - View the Guidelines in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format (51KB)
(Updated May 20, 1997)
View the Technical Basis for Maine 's Remedial Action Guidelines - (MS Word) (pdf format)
Maximum Exposure Guidelines (MEG) – guidance for drinking water

Related Programs

Uncontrolled Sites Program

Other Related Links