The Federal Section oversees all federal superfund projects in Kentucky. Federal projects include National Priority List sites, oversight of and work conducted under federal cooperative grants such as pre-remedial assessments and EPA's Hazard Ranking System evaluation, NPL sites Five Year Reviews, and Phase I and Phase II environmental assessments for Targeted Brownfields applications.
NPL Sites
Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA, aka Superfund), certain contaminated sites may be placed on the National Priorities List (NPL). These NPL sites are then investigated, remediated, and maintained under federal authority, while also meeting state requirements.
After remediation of an NPL site, the state retains oversight of operation and maintenance to ensure the remedy stays in place and continues to be protective. Statutorily required Five Year Reviews are part of this oversight process and required by EPA in perpetuity.
EPA NPL Link
Pre-Remedial Assessments
Sites are evaluated using EPA's pre-remedial/HRS process to determine if they are eligible to be listed on the National Priorities List.
Phase I and II Reports
The Federal Section provides technical support for Targeted Brownfields applications, either by review of reports submitted by consultants, or by conducting Phase 1 or Phase II environmental site assessments in-house.
Brownfields Link
Grant Management
The Federal Section procures grants from EPA to conduct Pre-Remedial assessments (PA/SI), federally-required NPL site Five Year Reviews (FYR), NPL site oversight assistance (SACA), and to support general Kentucky superfund program activities (CORE). The section is responsible for grant expenditures, allocations, and reporting required by the EPA.
EPA Interface
Due to the Federal Section's role in overseeing federal projects and conducting federal grant work within the state, and in providing state-policy guidance and specific technical expertise on these projects to assist EPA, the section serves as the main interface for interagency communication between federal and state government for superfund projects.