RCRA Corrective Action

The RCRA Corrective Action Program requires investigation and cleanup of releases of hazardous wastes and hazardous constituents that pose an unacceptable risk at RCRA hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities.  Facility evaluations, conducted by EPA or the State, are based on human health and environmental risks posed by actual or potential releases to the environment. 

The RCRA Corrective Action program is principally implemented through permits and orders under the Hazardous and Solid Waste Act of 1984 (HSWA). The EPA and individual states are responsible for implementing the RCRA Corrective Action program. However, EPA has gradually transferred responsibility from the federal government to individual states. When EPA determines that a state Corrective Action program is equivalent to the federal program, the state assumes responsibility through a process called authorization.  The Commonwealth of Virginia was authorized to administer RCRA Corrective Action, effective September 29, 2000.  For additional information on the RCRA Corrective Action Program and how it is implemented within EPA Region 3, please visit EPA's Corrective Action page.

The number of facilities currently being addressed for RCRA Corrective Action in Virginia is 121.  This number is also referred to as the 2020 baseline, because program goals are set to be achieved by the year 2020.  The RCRA Corrective Action Program in Virginia is working toward the following program goals for 2020:

• Site assessments leading to final assessment decision will be performed at 100% of the RCRA facilities on the 2020 baseline
• Current human exposures are under control at 95% of the 2020 baseline RCRA facilities (human health environmental indicator)
• Migration of contaminated groundwater is under control at 95% of the 2020 baseline RCRA facilities (groundwater environmental indicator)
• Construction of final remedies is complete at 95% of the 2020 baseline RCRA facilities

The RCRA Corrective Action program utilizes flexible approaches based on EPA’s RCRA Reforms to facilitate site-specific solutions that are protective of human health and the environment.  As of September 2009, 35% of current CA facilities have completed construction of their remedy or have determined that no remedy construction is necessary. 

Information for Virginia facilities regarding the status of Corrective Action, progress toward interim environmental milestones called environmental indicators as well as an interactive mapping tool using Google may be found here. 

RCRA Corrective Action Team Members