While EPA officials dismiss that as rhetoric, they do admit that nationwide reform of some Superfund practices is needed and has already begun. They say they've tried to ease up on property owners, and they've tried to speed up the clean-up of 1300 Superfund sites. But such work, they explained, is complicated, expensive, and necessary. You talk to communities that we've worked with, nearby sites that we've cleaned up with, you know, ask them for intrusive, and I think the answer they'll tell you is that they're glad we're here, and we still have that kind of a program. EPA considers the project a success.
Critics call it a fiasco.
Nationally, Congress is wrestling with the same issues as it tries to shape a new Superfund law.