EP 1110-1-19
30 Jun 01
The record of decision (ROD) documents the remedy selection and the
Record of Decision
RA plan for a site or an operable unit and serves the following three basic
functions: it certifies that the remedy selection process was carried out in
accordance with CERCLA and with the NCP; it describes the technical
parameters of the remedy, specifying the methods selected to protect
human health and the environment including treatment, engineering, and
institutional control components, as well as remediation
objectives/cleanup goals; and, it provides the public with a consolidated
summary of information about the site and the chosen remedy, including
the rationale behind the selection. While the ROD should provide a
comprehensive description of site conditions, the scope of the action, the
selected remedy, remediation objectives/cleanup goals, and the reason for
selecting the remedy, it is only one part of the administrative record file,
which contains the full details of site characterization, alternatives
evaluation, and remedy selection.
Each EPA Region is responsible for developing regional contingency
Regional
plans "to coordinate timely, effective response by various Federal
Contingency Plan
agencies and other organizations to discharges of oil or releases of
hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants" (40 CFR 300.210 (b)).
Each plan includes information on facilities and resources within the
Region that may be useful in responses. To the extent possible, regional
contingency plans must follow the format of the NCP and be coordinated
with the appropriate state emergency response plans.
A remedial action (RA) is the implementation of the remedy selected in
Remedial Action
the ROD. A RA is complete when the remediation objectives and/or
cleanup goals stated in the ROD have been achieved, and the remedy has
been determined to be O&F.
Remedial design (RD) is an engineering phase during which additional
Remedial Design
technical information and data identified are incorporated into technical
drawings and specifications developed for the subsequent RA. These
specifications are based on the detailed description of the selected remedy
and on the remediation/cleanup criteria provided in the ROD.
A remedial investigation (RI) involves collecting the data necessary to
Remedial
adequately characterize the site for the purpose of developing and
Investigation
evaluating effective remedial alternatives. In general, the RI consists of
the following actions: determining the nature and extent of the
contamination at the site or operable unit; assessing risks to human health
and the environment from this contamination; and, conducting treatability
tests to evaluate the potential performance and cost of the treatment
technologies being considered to address these risks. In characterizing
the site, the lead agency or PRP identifies the source of contamination,
the potential routes of migration, and the current and the potential human
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