Summary: GAO testified that the Superfund program could benefit from greater emphasis on reducing risks to human health and the environment more quickly and cost effectively. In this time of fiscal constraint, GAO believes that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) could conduct cleanups more cost effectively by prioritizing its funding for cleanups on the basis of risk reduction. Realistic land-use assumptions are also important for using Superfund resources to maximize the protection of public health and the environment. GAO also believes that greater use of EPA's removal authority could lead to quicker, more cost-effective, and more focused actions at hazardous waste sites while better protecting human health and the environment. GAO applauds EPA's recent efforts to set priorities for the use of Superfund resources by stressing the health risks at sites and to develop realistic forecasts of future uses of sites. Sustained management attention and follow-through are essential if lasting changes are to be achieved.
