When all physical construction at a site is complete, all  immediate threats have been addressed, and all long-term threats are  under control, EPA generally considers the site to be construction  complete. Annual Federal Superfund Appropriations Decreased, and EPA Expenditures on Remedial Cleanup Activities Declined

Annual federal appropriations (appropriations) to EPA’s Superfund  program generally declined from about $2 billion to about $1.1 billion from  fiscal years 1999 through 2013. EPA expenditures—from these federal  appropriations—of site-specific cleanup funds (funds spent on remedial  cleanup activities at nonfederal NPL sites) declined from about $0.7  billion to about $0.4 billion during the same time period. EPA spent the  largest amount of cleanup funds in Region 2, which accounted for about  32 percent of cleanup funds spent at nonfederal NPL sites from fiscal  years 1999 through 2013. During the same time period, EPA spent the  majority of cleanup funds in seven states, with the most in New Jersey— over $2.0 billion or more than 25 percent of cleanup funds. The remedial program generally funds cleanups  of contaminated nonfederal NPL sites. The Number of Nonfederal Sites on the NPL Remained Relatively Constant, while the Number of Remedial Action Project Completions and Construction Completions Generally Declined

According to our analysis of EPA data, the total number of nonfederal  sites on the NPL annually remained relatively constant, while remedial  action project completions and construction completions generally  declined during fiscal years 1999 through 2013. The total number of  nonfederal sites on the NPL increased from 1,054 in fiscal year 1999 to  1,158 in fiscal year 2013 and averaged about 1,100 annually. According  to our analysis of EPA data, the number of remedial action project  completions at nonfederal NPL sites generally declined by about 37  percent during the 15-year period. Similarly, from fiscal years 1999  through 2013, the number of construction completions at nonfederal NPL  sites generally declined by about 84 percent. Appendix I: Objectives, Scope, and Methodology

This appendix provides information on the objectives, scope of work, and  the methodology used to determine, for fiscal years 1999 through 2013,  the trends in (1) the annual federal appropriations to the Superfund  program and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expenditures for  remedial cleanup activities at nonfederal sites on the National Priorities  List (NPL) and (2) the number of nonfederal sites on the NPL, the number  of remedial action project completions, and the number of construction  completions at nonfederal NPL sites. To determine the trend in the number of nonfederal sites on the NPL, the  number of remedial action project completions, and the number of  construction completions at nonfederal NPL sites from fiscal years 1999  through 2013, we analyzed EPA’s program data from fiscal years 1999  through 2013. A list of related GAO products is included at the end  of this report.
Why GAO Did This Study

Under the Superfund program, EPA places some of the most seriously contaminated sites on the NPL. At the end of fiscal year 2013, nonfederal sites made up about 90 percent of these sites. At these sites, EPA undertakes remedial action projects to permanently and significantly reduce contamination. Remedial action projects can take a considerable amount of time and money, depending on the nature of the contamination and other site-specific factors. In GAO's 2010 report on cleanup at nonfederal NPL sites, GAO found that EPA's Superfund program appropriations were generally declining, and limited funding had delayed remedial cleanup activities at some of these sites.
GAO was asked to review the status of the cleanup of nonfederal NPL sites. This report examines, for fiscal years 1999 through 2013, the trends in (1) the annual federal appropriations to the Superfund program and EPA expenditures for remedial cleanup activities at nonfederal sites on the NPL; and (2) the number of nonfederal sites on the NPL, the number of remedial action project completions, and the number of construction completions at nonfederal NPL sites. GAO analyzed Superfund program and expenditure data from fiscal years 1999 through 2013 (most recent year with complete data available), reviewed EPA documents, and interviewed EPA officials.

What GAO Found

Annual federal appropriations to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Superfund program generally declined from about $2 billion to about $1.1 billion in constant 2013 dollars from fiscal years 1999 through 2013. EPA expenditures—from these federal appropriations—of site-specific cleanup funds on remedial cleanup activities at nonfederal National Priorities List (NPL) sites declined from about $0.7 billion to about $0.4 billion during the same time period. Remedial cleanup activities include remedial investigations, feasibility studies, and remedial action projects (actions taken to clean up a site). EPA spent the largest amount of cleanup funds in Region 2, which accounted for about 32 percent of cleanup funds spent at nonfederal NPL sites during this 15-year period. The majority of cleanup funds was spent in seven states, with the most funds spent in New Jersey—over $2.0 billion in constant 2013 dollars, or more than 25 percent of cleanup funds.
From fiscal years 1999 through 2013, the total number of nonfederal sites on the NPL annually remained relatively constant, while the number of remedial action project completions and construction completions generally declined. Remedial action project completions generally occur when the physical work is finished and the cleanup objectives of the remedial action project are achieved. Construction completion occurs when all physical construction at a site is complete, all immediate threats have been addressed, and all long-term threats are under control. Multiple remedial action projects may need to be completed before a site reaches construction completion. The total number of nonfederal sites on the NPL increased from 1,054 in fiscal year 1999 to 1,158 in fiscal year 2013, and averaged about 1,100 annually. The number of remedial action project completions at nonfederal NPL sites generally declined by about 37 percent during the 15-year period. Similarly, the number of construction completions at nonfederal NPL sites generally declined by about 84 percent during the same period. The figure below shows the number of completions during this period.

What GAO Recommends

GAO is not making any recommendations in this report. EPA agreed with GAO's findings.