Superfund: Status of Natural Resource Damage Claims (Testimony, 06/30/95,
GAO/T-RCED-95-239).

Under the Superfund statute, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
is authorized to clean up hazardous waste sites and to force responsible
parties to either pay for or perform the cleanup.  The statute also
authorizes federal, state, and tribal authorities to seek monetary
damages for harm done to natural resources, such as wetlands or wildlife
habitat, resulting from releases of hazardous substances.  Concerns have
been raised that such damages could add billions to the final tab for
Superfund cleanups while imposing heavy burdens on industry and the
federal government.  GAO presents information on the number and the
value of claims for natural resource damages.  GAO focuses on claims
filed and settled.  GAO also presents the views of government officials
on the likely extent of future damage claims, including those faced by
federal agencies, such as the Departments of Defense and Energy.

--------------------------- Indexing Terms -----------------------------

 REPORTNUM:  T-RCED-95-239
     TITLE:  Superfund: Status of Natural Resource Damage Claims
      DATE:  06/30/95
   SUBJECT:  Environmental monitoring
             Damage claims
             Natural resources
             Hazardous substances
             Waste disposal
             Future budget projections
             Claims settlement
             Conservation
             Judicial remedies
             Federal/state relations
IDENTIFIER:  Superfund Program
             California
             Colorado
             Idaho
             Minnesota
             Montana
             New Jersey
             New York
             Utah
             Wyoming
             Los Angeles County (CA)
             Coeur D'Alene River Basin (ID)
             Clark Fork River Basin (MT)
             
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