EPA Finalizes First-Ever Facility Response Plan Requirements For ​"Worst-Case" Chemical Discharges To Water

Echoing recent revisions strengthening the Risk Management Program under the Clean Air Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA" or "the Agency") on March 14, 2024 finalized a rule requiring certain facilities to develop facility response plans ("FRPs") for "worst-case" discharges (or threat of such a discharge) of hazardous substances under the Clean Water Act ("CWA").

According to the text of the pre-publication version of the final rule, these FRP requirements would apply to facilities that, "because of their location, could reasonably be expected to cause substantial harm to the environment by discharging into or on the navigable waters, adjoining shorelines, or exclusive economic zone." Thus, facilities with an onsite quantity of a CWA hazardous substance that meets or exceeds threshold quantities (i.e., 1,000 times the Reportable Quantity identified in 40 CFR 117.3), are located within half a mile radius of a navigable water or conveyance into such