Supporting U.S. EPA's Superfund Program

Once a heavily contaminated site, the Pemaco Maywood Superfund Site, located along the Los Angeles River in Maywood, California has been cleaned up and redeveloped for community use.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) provides technical support to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Superfund Program which was enacted by Congress in Public Law 96-510, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA). This legislation made provisions for the Superfund program's use of other federal agencies' existing capabilities in meeting its objectives.

Upon EPA request, USACE manages design and construction contracts and provides technical assistance to EPA in support of remedial response cleanup of hazardous waste sites, in accordance with EPA/USACE agreements. Under these agreements, USACE may be assigned the following responsibilities:

  • Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study activities.
  • Remedial Design and Remedial Action activities.
  • Technical Assistance to EPA on Potentially Responsible Party, State and EPA contractor lead projects.
  • Environmental Impact Statements.
  • Obtaining Permits.
  • Legal Determinations.
  • Obtaining Real Estate.

EPA’s Superfund program is responsible for cleaning up some of the nation’s most contaminated land and responding to environmental emergencies, oil spills and natural disasters. To protect public health and the environment, the Superfund program focuses on making a visible and lasting difference in communities, ensuring that people can live and work in healthy, vibrant places. Learn more about EPA's Superfund program here