Glossary

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

NATIONAL CONTINGENCY PLAN (NCP):

The major regulatory framework that guides the Superfund response effort. Formally the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Contingency Plan, it is a comprehensive body of regulations that outlines a step-by-step process for implementing Superfund responses and defines the roles and responsibilities of EPA, other federal agencies, states, private parties, and the communities in response to situations in which hazardous substances are released into the environment. (See SUPERFUND.)

NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (N

The primary permitting program under the Clean Water Act, which regulates all discharges to surface water. It prohibits discharge of pollutants into waters of the United States unless EPA, a state, or a tribal government issues a special permit to do so.

NATIONAL PRIORITIES LIST (NPL):

The list of the nation's most dangerous abandoned hazardous waste sites, compiled by EPA under the superfund law. Inclusion on this list targets a site for government cleanup using superfund money or enforcement efforts to force those responsible to clean up the site. 

NET OPERATING INCOME (NOI):

The amount generated from owning property rights in land and improvements or capital assets. The NOI is the income with which an owner(s) can operate a project (e.g., the profit made from rents to the amount paid for maintenance labor and utilities). Therefore, the NOI available to meet the total cost of financing a project is limited by the marketplace (supply and demand). For instance, an investor cannot increase their rate of return by arbitrarily increasing rents or reducing operating expenses without competing with the surrounding market.

NEW AND INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES:

Technologies that do not have a definite proven track record and may encounter regulatory and technological difficulties

NEW AND INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES:

Technologies that do not have a definite proven track record and may encounter regulatory and technological difficulties

NON-AQUEOUS PHASE LIQUID (NAPL):

Contaminants that remain as the original bulk liquid in the subsurface. (See FREE PRODUCT.)

NON-POINT SOURCE (NPS) POLLUTION:

Pollution discharged over a wide land area, not from one specific location. These are forms of diffuse pollution caused by sediment, nutrients, and organic and toxic substances originating from land-use activities, which are carried to lakes and streams by surface runoff. Non-point source pollution is contamination that occurs when rainwater, snowmelt, or irrigation washes off plowed fields, city streets, or suburban backyards. As this runoff moves across the land surface, it picks up soil particles and pollutants, such as nutrients and pesticides.

NPDES PERMIT (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System):

Under state law, it is officially called a waste discharge requirement. It is required for all point sources discharges of pollutants to surface waters. It has the following characteristics: issued for up to five years; provides for inspection and monitoring; requires notice to the public, the EPA and any other affected state, provides for the protection of navigation, and man- dates a pre-treatment program.