Consent Decree

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-006190",
  "term": "Consent Decree",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. A legal document submitted by the Department of Justice on behalf of the EPA for approval by a federal judge to settle a case. A consent decree can be used to formalize an agreement reached between EPA and potentially responsible parties (PRPs) for cleanup at a Superfund site. Consent decrees also are signed by regulated facilities to cease or correct certains actions or processes that are polluting the environment and include payment of penalties. The Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Toxic Substances Control Act, and others all use consent decrees.\n\n2. A legal document submitted by the Department of Justice on behalf of the EPA for approval by a federal judge to settle a case. A consent decree can be used to formalize an agreement reached between EPA and potentially responsible parties (PRPs) for cleanup at a Superfund site. Consent decrees also are signed by regulated facilities to cease or correct certain actions or processes that are polluting the environment and include payment of penalties. The Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Toxic Substances Control Act, and others all use consent decrees.\n\n3. Also referred to as a Consent Order, is a judicial decree expressing voluntary agreement between parties to a suit.\n\n4. A legal document, approved and issued by a judge, that formalizes an agreement reached between EPA and potentially responsible parties (PRPs) where PRPs will conduct all or part of a cleanup action at a Superfund site; cease or correct actions or processes that are polluting the environment; or otherwise comply with EPA-initiated regulatory enforcement actions to resolve site contamination. The consent decree describes actions that PRPs are required to perform and may be subject to a public comment period.\n\n5. A legal document, approved by a judge, that formalizes an agreement reached between EPA and PRPs through which PRPs will conduct all or part of a cleanup action at a Superfund site, cease or correct actions or processes that are polluting the environment, or otherwise comply with EPA initiated regulatory enforcement action. The consent decree describes the actions PRPs will take and is subject to a public comment period.\n\n6. A legal document, approved by a judge, that formalizes an agreement reached between EPA and potentially responsible parties (PRPs) through which PRPs will conduct all or part of a cleanup action at a Superfund site; cease or correct actions or processes that are polluting the environment; or otherwise comply with EPA initiated regulatory enforcement actions to resolve the contamination at the Superfund site involved. The consent decree describes the actions PRPs will take and may be subject to a public comment period.\n\n7. Judicial agreement between the federal government and the potentially responsible parties (PRPs) fully or partially settling a claim under CERCLA. This agreement may settle litigation or may be presented concurrently with the complaint (achieved through negotiations). The agreement may be for response work, cost recovery, or both..",
  "abbreviation": "CD",
  "synonyms": [
    "Consent Order"
  ],
  "subject": "Land, waste and cleanup",
  "references": [
    "Environmental Issues Terms & Acronyms",
    "Pesticides Glossary",
    "Total Maximum Daily Loads (303d) Glossary; Impaired Waters and Total Maximum Daily Loads Glossary",
    "Superfund Reforms Glossary",
    "Superfund and RCRA Corrective Action Institutional Controls Glossary",
    "Terms of Environment",
    "Superfund Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/consent-decree/"
}