Part A. Consent Decree Revisited (extracted from EPA Community Relations Plan 8/94) Progress regarding the cleanup of sites has reached an impass because no party has enforced the Consent Decree and the Consent Decree sites have not been cleaned up. The Consent Decree parties have jointly decided to make a good faith effort and explore alternatives to incineration. To explore alternatives, the sites must be characterized, data gaps identified, and additional data can be collected, if necessary. The parties have agreed to start the data collection process at the Lemon Lane Landfill and to continue the data collection on a site-by-site basis until all of the Consent Decree sites have been addressed. The parties understand and recognize the need for full public participation while exploring alternative remedies, and have agreed to provide information and openly exchange ideas with the public during the investigation of alternatives process. The parties, however, do not have an established time line for this investigation. Part B. Future Directions (extracted from EPA Fact Sheet 2/94) The consent decree contains a provision whereby Westinghouse has the opportunity to identify an alternative remedy for the consent decree sites. Westinghouse expressed a willingness to explore alternative remedies for the consent decree sites. Accordingly, the consent decree parties have agreed to openly discuss alternative remedies. During the process to discuss alternative remedies, the consent decree parties will listen to local resident's concerns, solicit their views, and provide open lines of communication. If an alternative is found and can be agreen upon by the consent decree parties, then Westinghouse may propose an alternative remedy. Following any proposal from Westinghouse, EPA would evaluate alternatives in accordance with CERCLA and the National Contingency Plan (NCP). Both CERCLA and the NCP provide provision for formal comment. In addition, the other consent decree parties may evaluate any proposal according to their respective legal requirements. Following approval of all the consent decree parties, the court's approval will be requested. The public will be informed of the progress and will continue to be involved throughout the cleanup process.