Project No 5

Instructions for this project : Go to the EPA’s website (www.epa.gov) and use the Enviromapper feature. What is the closest Superfund Site to your home?


Who is Superfund ?

Superfund was established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1980. This took place when Congress approved the bill for the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) which came to be known as Superfund.

Under the leadership and administration of the EPA, Superfund handles responsibility for solid waste management, responds to abandoned active and unsafe waste sites, accidental oil and chemical spills.
They also take responsibility for land disposal of dangerous waste and underground storage tanks which is backed by technical support along with the redevelopment and salvaging of sites that may be contaminated.

Superfund also works on the preservation and restoration of land by using the most efficient methods of waste management and clean up.
On their website it is stated that they use a hierarchy of preserving the land which is as follows:
• reducing waste at its source,
• recycling waste,
• managing waste effectively by preventing spills and release of toxic materials
• cleaning up contaminated properties.

It has also been stated that Superfund takes special interest regarding threats to the sensitive part of the population which are children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic diseases.
This however seems to be questionable because in 1987 Superfund listed 1,187 sites(to date there are 1623)yet nearly 30,000 sites remained to be assessed.

SUPERFUND - NPL SITES ESTABLISHED IN THE UNITED STATES



Pros and Cons of Superfund:

It is argued that Superfund should have the authority and backup support to clean up hazardous waste sites. If this is not done then those responsible for the creating the toxic wastes sites in the first place, will not seriously accept the repercussions nor responsibility for what they have caused.
An example of this is quoted on the Center for Public Intergrity website:
WASHINGTON, May 10, 2007 — At least three companies linked by the Environmental Protection Agency to hazardous waste sites are being paid by the government to clean up their own sites, according to an investigation by the Center for Public Integrity.
In such cases the recovery of the environment and the interest of public health will be inevitably paid for by tax payers.
On the other hand, it is claimed that these companies are effectively handling the issues resulting from hazardous waste sites and have spent monies for clean up in a consistent manner.
However, my question is - if these companies are "acting" and investing responsibly then why is there a cause for clean up in the first place ??

Closest Superfund to my home:

Upon perusing EPA’s website, I note that the closest Superfund site to my home is the Davie Landfill at 4001 142nd Avenue in Davie which is about 210 acres in size which began its operations in 1964. In present times, 160 acres of this land is being used as a public park called Vista View Park which opened in July 2003 by Broward County.

SUPERFUND - NPL SITES CLOSEST TO MY HOME


SUPERFUND - NPL SITES THAT HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED, PROPOSED AND DELETED IN FLORIDA


My Personal Conclusion:

Once again the word RESPONSIBILITY comes to mind. Being part of society makes each of us, industrialists and leaders all responsible for the damage we have created.
I find it disturbing firstly that there are so many hazardous sites that are near our homes placing all of our loved-ones at risk. Secondly that we have let the situation go this far to such epic proportions.
At the same time, I will continue to live in hope that a difference can be made. I feel we must acknowldege the fact that it is up to us as individuals to be responsible instead of automatically assuming the "victim" role in this scenario. We as fellow members of society can all change for the betterment of our environment and ultimately our future.

IMPORTANT: IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHERE THE NEAREST SUPERFUND SITE IS TO YOUR HOME, PLEASE CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK THEN ENTER YOUR ZIP CODE: http://www.epa.gov/enviro/sf/


Bibliography:

Environmental Studies, Barry Barker, Second Edition

Referenced Webistes:

http://www.epa.gov/region4/waste/index.htm
http://www.epa.gov/history/topics/cercla/04.htm
http://www.pollutionissues.com/Re-Sy/Superfund.html
http://projects.publicintegrity.org/superfund/?gclid=CIy69f7PhpYCFQIMswod-hqNFQ
http://projects.publicintegrity.org/Superfund/report.aspx?aid=856