Cost Recovery/Cost Avoidance
The BLM engages in hazardous material response actions, site evaluations, and prioritization of cleanups in accordance with laws and regulations. This involves working with the Environmental Protection Agency, State environmental quality departments, counties, and potentially responsible parties (both public and private) to fund and expedite the cleanup of hazardous sites.
The BLM also mitigates or remediates hazards that are threats to public health, safety, property, or endanger the environment. Examples of physical and environmental hazards include, but are not limited to oil spills from pipelines and tankers, hazardous waste, hazardous substances, disease, structure and vehicular fire, explosions, land and mud slides, rock overhangs, cave, unexploded ordnance, dam failures, and cast away equipment and structures; and a variety of natural hazards such as hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, snow loads, and windstorms. Those sites that are in imminent threat to public heath and safety, as well as those sites that are under a consent order and can therefore generate penalties and fines are a priority for the BLM.
The purpose of the CERCLA Response Actions Handbook is to provide policy and guidance to BLM employees in the use of CERCLA authorities and responsibilities in addressing hazardous substance releases. The handbook is intended to introduce BLM personnel to the CERCLA process.
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