Covered persons; scope; recoverable costs and damages; interest rate; “comparable maturity” date
Defenses
Determination of amounts
Rendering care or advice
In general
Except as provided in paragraph (2), no person shall be liable under this subchapter for costs or damages as a result of actions taken or omitted in the course of rendering care, assistance, or advice in accordance with the National Contingency Plan (“NCP”) or at the direction of an onscene coordinator appointed under such plan, with respect to an incident creating a danger to public health or welfare or the environment as a result of any releases of a hazardous substance or the threat thereof. This paragraph shall not preclude liability for costs or damages as the result of negligence on the part of such person.
State and local governments
No State or local government shall be liable under this subchapter for costs or damages as a result of actions taken in response to an emergency created by the release or threatened release of a hazardous substance generated by or from a facility owned by another person. This paragraph shall not preclude liability for costs or damages as a result of gross negligence or intentional misconduct by the State or local government. For the purpose of the preceding sentence, reckless, willful, or wanton misconduct shall constitute gross negligence.
Savings provision
This subsection shall not alter the liability of any person covered by the provisions of paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4) of subsection (a) of this section with respect to the release or threatened release concerned.
Indemnification, hold harmless, etc., agreements or conveyances; subrogation rights
Natural resources liability; designation of public trustees of natural resources
Natural resources liability
Provided, howeverIn the case of an injury to, destruction of, or loss of natural resources under subparagraph (C) of subsection (a) liability shall be to the United States Government and to any State for natural resources within the State or belonging to, managed by, controlled by, or appertaining to such State and to any Indian tribe for natural resources belonging to, managed by, controlled by, or appertaining to such tribe, or held in trust for the benefit of such tribe, or belonging to a member of such tribe if such resources are subject to a trust restriction on alienation: , That no liability to the United States or State or Indian tribe shall be imposed under subparagraph (C) of subsection (a), where the party sought to be charged has demonstrated that the damages to natural resources complained of were specifically identified as an irreversible and irretrievable commitment of natural resources in an environmental impact statement, or other comparable environment analysis, and the decision to grant a permit or license authorizes such commitment of natural resources, and the facility or project was otherwise operating within the terms of its permit or license, so long as, in the case of damages to an Indian tribe occurring pursuant to a Federal permit or license, the issuance of that permit or license was not inconsistent with the fiduciary duty of the United States with respect to such Indian tribe. The President, or the authorized representative of any State, shall act on behalf of the public as trustee of such natural resources to recover for such damages. Sums recovered by the United States Government as trustee under this subsection shall be retained by the trustee, without further appropriation, for use only to restore, replace, or acquire the equivalent of such natural resources. Sums recovered by a State as trustee under this subsection shall be available for use only to restore, replace, or acquire the equivalent of such natural resources by the State. The measure of damages in any action under subparagraph (C) of subsection (a) shall not be limited by the sums which can be used to restore or replace such resources. There shall be no double recovery under this chapter for natural resource damages, including the costs of damage assessment or restoration, rehabilitation, or acquisition for the same release and natural resource. There shall be no recovery under the authority of subparagraph (C) of subsection (a) where such damages and the release of a hazardous substance from which such damages resulted have occurred wholly before .
Designation of Federal and State officials
Federal
section 9605 of this titlesection 1321 of title 33section 1321 of title 33The President shall designate in the National Contingency Plan published under the Federal officials who shall act on behalf of the public as trustees for natural resources under this chapter and . Such officials shall assess damages for injury to, destruction of, or loss of natural resources for purposes of this chapter and such for those resources under their trusteeship and may, upon request of and reimbursement from a State and at the Federal officials’ discretion, assess damages for those natural resources under the State’s trusteeship.
State
section 1321 of title 33section 1321 of title 33The Governor of each State shall designate State officials who may act on behalf of the public as trustees for natural resources under this chapter and and shall notify the President of such designations. Such State officials shall assess damages to natural resources for the purposes of this chapter and such for those natural resources under their trusteeship.
Rebuttable presumption
section 1321 of title 33section 9651(c) of this titlesection 1321 of title 33Any determination or assessment of damages to natural resources for the purposes of this chapter and made by a Federal or State trustee in accordance with the regulations promulgated under shall have the force and effect of a rebuttable presumption on behalf of the trustee in any administrative or judicial proceeding under this chapter or .
Federal agencies
section 9620 of this titleFor provisions relating to Federal agencies, see .
Owner or operator of vessel
section 9614 of this title46 U.S.C. 183ff1
Application of a registered pesticide product
7 U.S.C. 136No person (including the United States or any State or Indian tribe) may recover under the authority of this section for any response costs or damages resulting from the application of a pesticide product registered under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act [ et seq.]. Nothing in this paragraph shall affect or modify in any way the obligations or liability of any person under any other provision of State or Federal law, including common law, for damages, injury, or loss resulting from a release of any hazardous substance or for removal or remedial action or the costs of removal or remedial action of such hazardous substance.
Obligations or liability pursuant to federally permitted release
section 1319(b) of title 33Recovery by any person (including the United States or any State or Indian tribe) for response costs or damages resulting from a federally permitted release shall be pursuant to existing law in lieu of this section. Nothing in this paragraph shall affect or modify in any way the obligations or liability of any person under any other provision of State or Federal law, including common law, for damages, injury, or loss resulting from a release of any hazardous substance or for removal or remedial action or the costs of removal or remedial action of such hazardous substance. In addition, costs of response incurred by the Federal Government in connection with a discharge specified in section 9601(10)(B) or (C) of this title shall be recoverable in an action brought under .
Transfer to, and assumption by, Post-Closure Liability Fund of liability of owner or operator of hazardous waste disposal facility in receipt of permit under applicable solid waste disposal law; time, criteria applicable, procedures, etc.; monitoring costs; reports
Suspension of liability transfer .—
Study of options for post-closure program.—
Study .—
Program elements .—
Assessments .—
Procedures .—
Consideration of options .—
Recommendations .—
Federal lien
In general
Duration
Notice and validity
section 6323(h) of title 26The lien imposed by this subsection shall be subject to the rights of any purchaser, holder of a security interest, or judgment lien creditor whose interest is perfected under applicable State law before notice of the lien has been filed in the appropriate office within the State (or county or other governmental subdivision), as designated by State law, in which the real property subject to the lien is located. Any such purchaser, holder of a security interest, or judgment lien creditor shall be afforded the same protections against the lien imposed by this subsection as are afforded under State law against a judgment lien which arises out of an unsecured obligation and which arises as of the time of the filing of the notice of the lien imposed by this subsection. If the State has not by law designated one office for the receipt of such notices of liens, the notice shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the United States district court for the district in which the real property is located. For purposes of this subsection, the terms “purchaser” and “security interest” shall have the definitions provided under .
Action in rem
The costs constituting the lien may be recovered in an action in rem in the United States district court for the district in which the removal or remedial action is occurring or has occurred. Nothing in this subsection shall affect the right of the United States to bring an action against any person to recover all costs and damages for which such person is liable under subsection (a) of this section.
Maritime lien
All costs and damages for which the owner or operator of a vessel is liable under subsection (a)(1) with respect to a release or threatened release from such vessel shall constitute a maritime lien in favor of the United States on such vessel. Such costs may be recovered in an action in rem in the district court of the United States for the district in which the vessel may be found. Nothing in this subsection shall affect the right of the United States to bring an action against the owner or operator of such vessel in any court of competent jurisdiction to recover such costs.
Liability of fiduciaries
In general
The liability of a fiduciary under any provision of this chapter for the release or threatened release of a hazardous substance at, from, or in connection with a vessel or facility held in a fiduciary capacity shall not exceed the assets held in the fiduciary capacity.
Exclusion
Paragraph (1) does not apply to the extent that a person is liable under this chapter independently of the person’s ownership of a vessel or facility as a fiduciary or actions taken in a fiduciary capacity.
Limitation
Paragraphs (1) and (4) do not limit the liability pertaining to a release or threatened release of a hazardous substance if negligence of a fiduciary causes or contributes to the release or threatened release.
Safe harbor
Definitions
Fiduciary
Fiduciary capacity
The term “fiduciary capacity” means the capacity of a person in holding title to a vessel or facility, or otherwise having control of or an interest in the vessel or facility, pursuant to the exercise of the responsibilities of the person as a fiduciary.
Savings clause
No effect on certain persons
Limitation
De micromis exemption
In general
Exceptions
No judicial review
A determination by the President under paragraph (2)(A) shall not be subject to judicial review.
Nongovernmental third-party contribution actions
In the case of a contribution action, with respect to response costs at a facility on the National Priorities List, brought by a party, other than a Federal, State, or local government, under this chapter, the burden of proof shall be on the party bringing the action to demonstrate that the conditions described in paragraph (1)(A) and (B) of this subsection are not met.
Municipal solid waste exemption
In general
Exception
No judicial review
A determination by the President under paragraph (2) shall not be subject to judicial review.
Definition of municipal solid waste
In general
Examples
Examples of municipal solid waste under subparagraph (A) include food and yard waste, paper, clothing, appliances, consumer product packaging, disposable diapers, office supplies, cosmetics, glass and metal food containers, elementary or secondary school science laboratory waste, and household hazardous waste.
Exclusions
Burden of proof
Certain actions not permitted
No contribution action may be brought by a party, other than a Federal, State, or local government, under this chapter with respect to circumstances described in paragraph (1)(A).
Costs and fees
oA nongovernmental entity that commences, after , a contribution action under this chapter shall be liable to the defendant for all reasonable costs of defending the action, including all reasonable attorney’s fees and expert witness fees, if the defendant is not liable for contribution based on an exemption under this subsection or subsection ().
Contiguous properties
Not considered to be an owner or operator
In general
Demonstration
To qualify as a person described in subparagraph (A), a person must establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the conditions in clauses (i) through (viii) of subparagraph (A) have been met.
Bona fide prospective purchaser
section 9601(40) of this titleAny person that does not qualify as a person described in this paragraph because the person had, or had reason to have, knowledge specified in subparagraph (A)(viii) at the time of acquisition of the real property may qualify as a bona fide prospective purchaser under if the person is otherwise described in that section.
Ground water
With respect to a hazardous substance from one or more sources that are not on the property of a person that is a contiguous property owner that enters ground water beneath the property of the person solely as a result of subsurface migration in an aquifer, subparagraph (A)(iii) shall not require the person to conduct ground water investigations or to install ground water remediation systems, except in accordance with the policy of the Environmental Protection Agency concerning owners of property containing contaminated aquifers, dated .
Effect of law
Assurances
Prospective purchaser and windfall lien
Limitation on liability
Notwithstanding subsection (a)(1), a bona fide prospective purchaser whose potential liability for a release or threatened release is based solely on the bona fide prospective purchaser being considered to be an owner or operator of a facility shall not be liable as long as the bona fide prospective purchaser does not impede the performance of a response action or natural resource restoration.
Lien
If there are unrecovered response costs incurred by the United States at a facility for which an owner of the facility is not liable by reason of paragraph (1), and if each of the conditions described in paragraph (3) is met, the United States shall have a lien on the facility, or may by agreement with the owner, obtain from the owner a lien on any other property or other assurance of payment satisfactory to the Administrator, for the unrecovered response costs.
Conditions
Response action
A response action for which there are unrecovered costs of the United States is carried out at the facility.
Fair market value
The response action increases the fair market value of the facility above the fair market value of the facility that existed before the response action was initiated.
Amount; duration
Pub. L. 96–510, title I, § 10794 Stat. 2781Pub. L. 99–499, title I100 Stat. 1628–1630Pub. L. 99–514, § 2100 Stat. 2095Pub. L. 103–429, § 7(e)(2)108 Stat. 4390Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title II, § 2502(a)110 Stat. 3009–462Pub. L. 104–287, § 6(j)(2)110 Stat. 3400Pub. L. 107–118, title I, § 102(a)115 Stat. 2356Pub. L. 115–141, div. N, § 5(b)132 Stat. 1054(, , ; , §§ 107(a)–(d)(2), (e), (f), 127(b), (e), title II, §§ 201, 207(c), , , 1692, 1693, 1705; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , title II, §§ 221, 222(b), , , 2368, 2371; , , .)
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Pub. L. 96–51094 Stat. 2767section 9601 of this titleThis chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this Act”, meaning , , , known as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.
Pub. L. 99–499100 Stat. 1613section 9601 of this titleSuch amendments, referred to in the last sentence of subsec. (a), probably means the amendments made by , , , known as the “Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986”. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1986 Amendment note set out under and Tables.
46 U.S.C. 183ffact Mar. 3, 1851, ch. 439 Stat. 635Pub. L. 109–304120 Stat. 1509section 101 of Title 46Act of (), referred to in subsec. (h), is , , which was incorporated into the Revised Statutes as R.S. §§ 4282, 4283, 4284 to 4287 and 4289, which were classified to sections 182, 183, and 184 to 188 of the former Appendix to Title 46, Shipping, prior to being repealed and restated in chapter 305 of Title 46 by , §§ 6(c), 19, , , 1710. For disposition of sections of the former Appendix to Title 46, see Disposition Table preceding .
act June 25, 1947, ch. 125Pub. L. 92–51686 Stat. 973section 136 of Title 7The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, referred to in subsec. (i), is , as amended generally by , , , which is classified generally to subchapter II (§ 136 et seq.) of chapter 6 of Title 7, Agriculture. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.
Pub. L. 89–27279 Stat. 997Pub. L. 94–580, § 290 Stat. 2795section 6901 of this titleThe Solid Waste Disposal Act, referred to in subsec. (k)(1), (3), (6)(E)(i), is title II of , , , as amended generally by , , . Subtitles C and I of the Solid Waste Disposal Act are classified generally to subchapters III (§ 6921 et seq.) and IX (§ 6991 et seq.), respectively, of chapter 82 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.
Section 9641 of this titlePub. L. 99–499, title V, § 514(b)100 Stat. 1767, referred to in subsec. (k), was repealed by , , .
Pub. L. 96–51094 Stat. 2796Pub. L. 96–510Pub. L. 99–499, title V100 Stat. 1767section 1 of Title 26Subchapter II of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (k)(4)(A), (C), was in the original “title II of this Act”, meaning title II of , , , known as the Hazardous Substance Response Revenue Act of 1980, which enacted subchapter II of this chapter and sections 4611, 4612, 4661, 4662, 4681, and 4682 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code. Sections 221 to 223 and 232 of , which were classified to sections 9631 to 9633 and 9641 of this title, comprising subchapter II of this chapter, were repealed by , §§ 514(b), 517(c)(1), , , 1774. For complete classification of title II to the Code, see Short Title of 1980 Amendment note set out under and Tables.
Pub. L. 98–61698 Stat. 3221section 6901 of this titleThe Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984, referred to in subsec. (k)(6)(A), (E), is , , . For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1984 Amendment note set out under and Tables.
Pub. L. 85–536, § 272 Stat. 384section 631 of Title 15The Small Business Act, referred to in subsec. (p)(1), is (1 et seq.), , , which is classified generally to chapter 14A (§ 631 et seq.) of Title 15, Commerce and Trade. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.
Amendments
Pub. L. 115–1412018—Subsec. (r)(1). substituted “bona fide prospective purchaser being considered” for “purchaser’s being considered”.
oPub. L. 107–118, § 102(a)o2002—Subsecs. (), (p). , added subsecs. () and (p).
Pub. L. 107–118, § 221Subsec. (q). , added subsec. (q).
Pub. L. 107–118, § 222(b)Subsec. (r). , added subsec. (r).
Pub. L. 104–287section 60101(a) of title 491996—Subsec. (c)(1)(C). substituted “” for “the Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Act of 1979”.
Pub. L. 104–208Subsec. (n). added subsec. (n).
Pub. L. 103–4291994—Subsec. (c)(1)(C). substituted “hazardous liquid pipeline facility” for “pipeline”.
Pub. L. 99–5141986—Subsec. (a). , in penultimate sentence, substituted “Internal Revenue Code of 1986” for “Internal Revenue Code of 1954”, which for purposes of codification was translated as “title 26” thus requiring no change in text.
Pub. L. 99–499, § 107(b), inserted concluding provisions relating to accrual and rate of interest on amounts recoverable under this section.
Pub. L. 99–499, § 107(a)Subsec. (a)(1). , struck out “(otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the United States)” after “vessel”.
Pub. L. 99–499, § 127(b)(1)Subsec. (a)(3). , inserted “or incineration vessel” after “facility”.
Pub. L. 99–499Subsec. (a)(4). , §§ 107(b), 127(b)(2), 207(c)(1), in introductory provisions, inserted “, incineration vessels” after “vessels”, in subpar. (A), inserted “or an Indian tribe” after “State”, and added subpar. (D).
Pub. L. 99–499, § 127(b)(3)Subsec. (c)(1)(A). , inserted “, other than an incineration vessel,” after “vessel”.
Pub. L. 99–499, § 127(b)(4)Subsec. (c)(1)(B). , inserted “other than an incineration vessel,” after “other vessel,”.
Pub. L. 99–499, § 127(b)(5)Subsec. (c)(1)(D). , inserted “any incineration vessel or” before “any facility”.
Pub. L. 99–499, § 107(c)Subsec. (d). , amended subsec. (d) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (d) read as follows: “No person shall be liable under this subchapter for damages as a result of actions taken or omitted in the course of rendering care, assistance, or advice in accordance with the national contingency plan or at the direction of an onscene coordinator appointed under such plan, with respect to an incident creating a danger to public health or welfare or the environment as a result of any release of a hazardous substance or the threat thereof. This subsection shall not preclude liability for damages as the result of gross negligence or intentional misconduct on the part of such person. For the purposes of the preceding sentence, reckless, willful, or wanton misconduct shall constitute gross negligence.”
Pub. L. 99–499, § 107(d)(1)Subsec. (f)(1). , designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added heading.
Pub. L. 99–499, § 207(c)(2)(A), inserted “and to any Indian tribe for natural resources belonging to, managed by, controlled by, or appertaining to such tribe, or held in trust for the benefit of such tribe, or belonging to a member of such tribe if such resources are subject to a trust restriction on alienation” after third reference to “State”.
Pub. L. 99–499, § 207(c)(2)(B), inserted “or Indian tribe” after fourth reference to “State”.
Pub. L. 99–499, § 207(c)(2)(C), inserted in first sentence “, so long as, in the case of damages to an Indian tribe occurring pursuant to a Federal permit or license, the issuance of that permit or license was not inconsistent with the fiduciary duty of the United States with respect to such Indian tribe”.
Pub. L. 99–499, § 107(d)(2), substituted “Sums recovered by the United States Government as trustee under this subsection shall be retained by the trustee, without further appropriation, for use only to restore, replace, or acquire the equivalent of such natural resources. Sums recovered by a State as trustee under this subsection shall be available for use only to restore, replace, or acquire the equivalent of such natural resources by the State. The measure of damages in any action under subparagraph (C) of subsection (a) shall not be limited by the sums which can be used to restore or replace such resources. There shall be no double recovery under this chapter for natural resource damages, including the costs of damage assessment or restoration, rehabilitation, or acquisition for the same release and natural resource” for “Sums recovered shall be available for use to restore, rehabilitate, or acquire the equivalent of such natural resources by the appropriate agencies of the Federal Government or the State government, but the measure of such damages shall not be limited by the sums which can be used to restore or replace such resources”.
Pub. L. 99–499, § 207(c)(2)(D)section 107(d)(2) of Pub. L. 99–499, which directed the insertion of “or the Indian tribe” after “State government”, could not be executed because the prior amendment by , struck out third sentence referring to “State government”.
Pub. L. 99–499, § 107(d)(1)Subsec. (f)(2). , added par. (2).
Pub. L. 99–499, § 107(e)Subsec. (g). , amended subsec. (g) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (g) read as follows: “Each department, agency, or instrumentality of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the Federal Government shall be subject to, and comply with, this chapter in the same manner and to the same extent, both procedurally and substantively, as any nongovernmental entity, including liability under this section.”
Pub. L. 99–499, § 127(e)Subsec. (h). , inserted “, under maritime tort law,” after “with this section” and inserted “or the absence of any physical damage to the proprietary interest of the claimant” before the period at end.
Pub. L. 99–499, § 207(c)(3)Subsec. (i). , inserted “or Indian tribe” after “State”.
Pub. L. 99–499, § 207(c)(4)Subsec. (j). , inserted “or Indian tribe” after first reference to “State”.
Pub. L. 99–499, § 201Subsec. (k)(5), (6). , added pars. (5) and (6).
lPub. L. 99–499, § 107(f)lSubsec. (). , added subsec. ().
lPub. L. 99–514Subsec. ()(3). substituted “Internal Revenue Code of 1986” for “Internal Revenue Code of 1954”, which for purposes of codification was translated as “title 26” thus requiring no change in text.
Pub. L. 99–499, § 107(f)Subsec. (m). , added subsec. (m).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Pub. L. 104–208section 2505 of Pub. L. 104–208section 6991b of this titleAmendment by applicable with respect to any claim that has not been finally adjudicated as of , see , set out as a note under .
Effect on Concluded Actions
Pub. L. 107–118, title I, § 103115 Stat. 2360
Central Hazardous Materials Fund
Pub. L. 110–161, div. F, title I121 Stat. 2116Pub. L. 111–88, div. A, title I123 Stat. 2924
Similar provisions were contained in the following prior appropriation acts:
Pub. L. 109–54, title I119 Stat. 518, , .
Pub. L. 108–447, div. E, title I118 Stat. 3041, , .
Pub. L. 108–108, title I, § 310117 Stat. 1243, , .
Pub. L. 108–7, div. F, title I117 Stat. 218, , .
Pub. L. 107–63, title I115 Stat. 416, , .
Pub. L. 106–291, title I114 Stat. 923, , .
Pub. L. 106–113, div. B, § 1000(a)(3) [title I]113 Stat. 1535, , , 1501A–136.
Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(e) [title I]112 Stat. 2681–231, , , 2681–233.
Pub. L. 105–83, title I111 Stat. 1544, , .
Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, § 101(d) [title I]110 Stat. 3009–181, , , 3009–182.
Pub. L. 104–134, title I, § 101(c) [title I]110 Stat. 1321–156Pub. L. 104–140, § 1(a)110 Stat. 1327, , , 1321–157; renumbered title I, , , .
Recovery of Costs
Pub. L. 104–303, title II, § 209110 Stat. 3681
Pub. L. 99–499Coordination of Titles I to IV of
Pub. L. 99–499section 531 of Pub. L. 99–499section 1 of Title 26Any provision of titles I to IV of , imposing any tax, premium, or fee; establishing any trust fund; or authorizing expenditures from any trust fund, to have no force or effect, see , set out as a note under , Internal Revenue Code.