This regulation implements the “citizen award” authority granted by Congress to the President in the 1986 Amendments to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), section 109(d). As authorized in the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA) section 109(c) and Executive Order No. 12580 (issued by the President on January 23, 1987), the Environmental Protection Agency is empowered to pay up to $10,000.00 from the Superfund to any individual who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person for a violation subject to a criminal penalty under CERCLA as amended.

(a) Arrest. Restraint of an arrestee's liberty or the equivalent through the service of judicial process compelling such a person to respond to a criminal accusation.

(b) Conviction. A judgment of guilt entered in U.S. District Court, upon a verdict rendered by the court or petit jury or by a plea of guilty, including a plea of nolo contendere.

(c) Individual. A natural person, not a corporation or other legal entity nor an association of persons.

(a) Failure to Give Required Notice of a Release of a Reportable Quantity of a Hazardous Substance, 42 U.S.C. 9603(a);

(b) Destruction or Concealment of Records Required under CERCLA to have been Retained, 42 U.S.C. 9603(d).